center for lost arts
We would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the indigenous people who lived on and traveled through the land of Southern Illinois for 12,000 years before being forced to leave or killed during colonization began in the 1600's. The "Inoca"(or Illinois as the French explorers and missionaries called them)may have consisted of as many as 12 different Illinois tribes at one time, but by the end of the century seven of the tribes had disappeared: the Chepoussa, Chinkoa, Coiracoentanon, Espeminkia, Maroa, Moingwena, and Tapouaro. Five principal tribes survived int the 1700s: the Cahokia, Kaskaskia, Michigamea, Peoria, and Tamaroa with the latter two continuing into the early 1800's. The land that Center For Lost Arts inhabits, was part of a 440 acre tract given to a settler family in the late 1800's. Eventually the land was severed and in 1985, Paul became the most recent owner of 20 acres of farmland, barn and a pond.
In 2016 we officially began Center For Lost Arts which includes: Eva's Roost, Tiny House of Paul, House of Paul(main house), Tiny House of Becca, the woodshop, the greenhouse, the gardens, the strawbale construction area and the forest. We are a place of learning in community offering unstructured ways to gain experience in homesteading practices. All guests, helpers and participants have access to 20 plus acres of property with native trees and gardens, wandering trails and a beautiful pond. Day retreats are offered seasonally and are grounded in mindfulness, meditation & creative practices. The property is available for facilitators to rent for their own retreats or workshops(day & overnight). You can see some of our past(pre-pandemic) retreats HERE.
House of Paul
A beautifully handcrafted home created by local artist, furniture builder, architect and home designer Paul J. Frank. It is the main rentable space as well as the residence for the owners of Center For Lost Arts. There is a large multi-purpose room, an indoor sunroom for seedlings, a library with a wide selection of books, a large community kitchen and a dining room under construction.
Tiny House of Paul: The plan for this tiny house originally started as a conversation between Bonnie and Paul in front of the main window in the living room of House of Paul. Tiny House of Paul is unique in it's design, giving one the feeling of having four rooms to move throughout. The design incorporates over ten kinds of wood including reclaimed Redwood stump slabs from California(a gift from a former guest) and live edge oak from the property.
Eva's Roost is a beautifully designed space created and built by Paul as well. This rustic zen-style cottage, overlooking the pond and forest, serves as a space for personal retreats as well as a cabin for guests. During retreat days, the roost is sometimes used for meditation, massage or other healing modalities.
Gardens & Forest: We aspire to grow & produce much of what we eat & share, whether it be in our traditional garden, the greenhouse or in the forest. We can't do this alone, so have depended on others over the years for their assistance and labor in return for whatever needs to be bartered. We make some of our own healing oil blends & dried herbs, tap our maple trees, pick seasonal fruit & berries, dry or can what we can and share with others. There's much to learn!
Tiny House of Becca: A former guest of Tiny House of Paul loved staying there so much, she decided she wanted to build one. Using Paul's original design, Becca added her own personal touches and Tiny House of Becca became a reality. Becca is working on completing the outside of her house while making arrangements for it to be moved to a more permanent site on the property.
Strawbale Bubble House Construction: When Paul was studying architecture, almost 40 years ago, he designed a bubble house community. Over the years he's discussed it with others and created various models, but never really thought he might have an opportunity to build it. Well, never say never I guess. The first strawbale bubble is under construction. Three apprentices have been working with Paul since January when he lost the use of his hands. Rachel, Neal & Shane are now building the first bubble house and hope to be moved in by the end of the summer or early fall. Guests will see the construction when they are out on the trails for a walk. Visitors can ask for a tour.
In 2016 we officially began Center For Lost Arts which includes: Eva's Roost, Tiny House of Paul, House of Paul(main house), Tiny House of Becca, the woodshop, the greenhouse, the gardens, the strawbale construction area and the forest. We are a place of learning in community offering unstructured ways to gain experience in homesteading practices. All guests, helpers and participants have access to 20 plus acres of property with native trees and gardens, wandering trails and a beautiful pond. Day retreats are offered seasonally and are grounded in mindfulness, meditation & creative practices. The property is available for facilitators to rent for their own retreats or workshops(day & overnight). You can see some of our past(pre-pandemic) retreats HERE.
House of Paul
A beautifully handcrafted home created by local artist, furniture builder, architect and home designer Paul J. Frank. It is the main rentable space as well as the residence for the owners of Center For Lost Arts. There is a large multi-purpose room, an indoor sunroom for seedlings, a library with a wide selection of books, a large community kitchen and a dining room under construction.
Tiny House of Paul: The plan for this tiny house originally started as a conversation between Bonnie and Paul in front of the main window in the living room of House of Paul. Tiny House of Paul is unique in it's design, giving one the feeling of having four rooms to move throughout. The design incorporates over ten kinds of wood including reclaimed Redwood stump slabs from California(a gift from a former guest) and live edge oak from the property.
Eva's Roost is a beautifully designed space created and built by Paul as well. This rustic zen-style cottage, overlooking the pond and forest, serves as a space for personal retreats as well as a cabin for guests. During retreat days, the roost is sometimes used for meditation, massage or other healing modalities.
Gardens & Forest: We aspire to grow & produce much of what we eat & share, whether it be in our traditional garden, the greenhouse or in the forest. We can't do this alone, so have depended on others over the years for their assistance and labor in return for whatever needs to be bartered. We make some of our own healing oil blends & dried herbs, tap our maple trees, pick seasonal fruit & berries, dry or can what we can and share with others. There's much to learn!
Tiny House of Becca: A former guest of Tiny House of Paul loved staying there so much, she decided she wanted to build one. Using Paul's original design, Becca added her own personal touches and Tiny House of Becca became a reality. Becca is working on completing the outside of her house while making arrangements for it to be moved to a more permanent site on the property.
Strawbale Bubble House Construction: When Paul was studying architecture, almost 40 years ago, he designed a bubble house community. Over the years he's discussed it with others and created various models, but never really thought he might have an opportunity to build it. Well, never say never I guess. The first strawbale bubble is under construction. Three apprentices have been working with Paul since January when he lost the use of his hands. Rachel, Neal & Shane are now building the first bubble house and hope to be moved in by the end of the summer or early fall. Guests will see the construction when they are out on the trails for a walk. Visitors can ask for a tour.
