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Julie Birdwell, Co-founder and President
Julie grew up on a farm in central Illinois and began her career in carpentry in 1985 after completing a Master’s in Art Education at the University of Illinois. Though she changed courses professionally, Julie continues to pursue the visual arts, exhibiting locally and nationally in juried and invitational shows and winning awards for her work. She collaborated in the design for the CD cover of Joni Laurence’s premiere CD, “Short Time,” and Laurence’s second release, “Daphne Speaks,” in addition to contributing backup vocals for both CDs. Her mixed media sculpture “Spine” is featured on the back cover of “Daphne Speaks.” She has also played bass guitar and sung backup vocals for the band M.J. Walker and Fictive Kin. In addition to the visual and performing arts, Julie enjoys cooking and camping.
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Jill Mulder, Co-founder, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer
Jill is a native of Urbana and a University High School graduate. She began working as a carpenter in 1982, after attending Southern Illinois University as a microbiology major. Her duties with New Prairie include job site management and day-to-day operations, billing and account management, and occasional field work. For reasons lost to history, the crew refers to her affectionately as “Chicken Boss.” Jill is an avid gardener, a canoeing enthusiast, and a loyal Illini and Cubs fan.
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Chris Walker
A Collinsville, Illinois, native, Chris graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1987 with a degree in fine arts. He began his career in carpentry by remodeling night clubs in the Washington, DC area, then became a designer and carpenter for a theatre company in Pittsburgh. He also taught set design and building at a small college in West Virginia. In 2000 Chris came to work for New Prairie. In 2006 he designed and built the “S. S. Ackerman,” a 2-story-tall tugboat exhibit, for the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum. The exhibit is a museum favorite. Chris designs and builds custom furniture, often using unusual or salvaged materials to create beautiful, functional objects.
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Harry Buerkett
Harry graduated with honors from the University of Illinois in 1992, having majored in rhetoric and anthropology, with a strong minor in film studies. Both of Harry’s grandfathers and his father were in the trades, and his upbringing on the farm exposed him to building and construction techniques from an early age. Harry began working for New Prairie in 2001. Harry is a singer–songwriter and a drummer who has played and recorded professionally. He writes poetry and science fiction and has published scholarly articles on science fiction. He enjoys reading American history and is a knowledgeable film aficionado. Harry has resided in Champaign-Urbana since 1988 and has been happily married to Felice Kaufmann since 1992.
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Nicole Swiss
Nicole graduated from the University of Illinois with a BFA in graphic design. After graduation, she gained experience in salvage and construction by volunteering for the local Preservation and Conservation Association. In 2002, Nicole began working for New Prairie. In addition to natural paints and plasters, Nicole is very interested in traditional and alternative building technologies, permaculture, and “living lightly.” She enjoys a multitude of expressive mediums— gardening, reading, painting, sculpting, chicken raising, and philosophizing. Nic lives in the oldest standing residence in Urbana, and is slowly working on its restoration.
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Erik Paulson
Erik holds an Associate’s degree from Parkland College in Construction Design and Management. He began working as a carpenter in 1992, building new homes and remodeling an 1870 Victorian. He also has training and experience in CAD drafting. Erik began working for New Prairie in 2003. He wants to broaden his education in construction by learning to timber frame. Erik enjoys gardening, cooking, furniture making, and sculpture. He also follows auto sports, with an interest in open wheel racing.
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Melanie Grove
Melanie graduated from Southern Illinois University cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing. She spent time studying alternative building practices on her own and attended the Architecture of Sustainability Conference held at Allerton Park in 2002. She began working for New Prairie in 2003, learning carpentry skills on the job. Melanie has two children, and she has enjoyed being part of the Orpheum Science Museum’s Building Fair and being able to give talks about carpentry to children in the classroom.
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Jennifer Hansen
Jennifer is a native of Urbana. In 1999 she graduated with a BFA in fine and applied arts in painting from the University of Illinois, receiving the “Outstanding Painting Student” award in her senior year. Jen came to work for New Prairie in 2005. Seeking a healthier, more sustainable, and more aesthetically beautiful material to work with in the context of her job, Jen has also learned to mix and apply natural paints. Jen continues to stay active in the visual arts, painting and sculpting in her spare time, and she likes spending time with her family.
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Nicholas Gordon
Nicholas grew up in Champaign and graduated from Champaign Central High School. He attended Southern Illinois University, majoring in chemistry with a pre-med focus. He returned to Champaign and in 2006 came to work for New Prairie. Nicholas is an expert in treehouse construction and enjoys playing clarinet in his free time.
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Antonio Juarez
A native of Santa Eulalia Huehuetenango, Guatemala, Antonio grew up farming with his family. In 1988 he came to Champaign seeking a better life. He soon obtained work in the trades and has continued to work as a carpenter, doing both framing and finish work. In 2006 Antonio brought his experience and sense of humor to New Prairie. As the father of four sons, Antonio finds his spare time to be at a premium. But he enjoys playing basketball and has recently taken up jogging and bicycling to be able to keep up with his youngest son.
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Mark Ritten
Mark has lived in the Champaign-Urbana area most of his life. He spent two years in the construction program at Parkland College before transferring to Bradley University, where he received a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction. Mark got his start in the construction field at the ripe-old-age of 12, when he started going around to his neighbors and helping them with their building projects, be it adding on a garage or helping to roof their house. He still enjoys learning about new products and techniques in the construction industry. Mark started working at New Prairie in 2007. Mark enjoys spending his free time with his wife and kids. He also enjoys fishing, camping and playing softball. Go Cubs!
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