Jo Sanders was trained in jewelry making and printing and never envisioned weaving would be her given creative practice. In 1959, a year after becoming a faculty member at Western Illinois University’s new Art Department facility was completed and the program expanded. Jo was asked to teach weaving and began a life-long practice and engagement in fiber arts.
The new facility, which became known as Browne Hall in 1968, was to include six new, four-pedal looms. Two of these upright, four-harness looms are now part of the Western Illinois Museum’s collection. Jo learned to modify the looms, adding two additional pedals to expanding what woven structures could be created with these looms.
As her interest in weaving and curiosity about different techniques grew, Jo spent the summer of 1965 in Scandinavia. One technique she learned was to set-up the loom from the back to the front -the opposite of the American method of threading the loom. This technique cause less wear on the thread. She brought back this and other techniques to Macomb and began incorporating them into her teaching at the university.
In the fall of 1966 William (Bill) Sanders joined the Western Illinois University Art Department where he met Jo Gecsy, as she was known at the time. After a brief courtship, they became engaged in February 1967. At the time, President Arthur Knoblauch’s faculty policy included a nepotism clause which did not allow married couples to work at the university. With wedding plans in place, Bill started to look for a new job. In a quiet but well-attended ceremony on March 25, 1967, Bill and Jo married at St. George’s Church in Macomb, Illinois. Among the guests were President Knoblauch and his wife.
When contracts were issued the following year, both Jo and Bill Sanders’ we hired back to teach at the university. President Knoblauch modified the policy stipulating married couples were welcome at WIU but one could not act as supervisor to the other. This change opened the door for many marriages in the university community.
Jo taught at Western Illinois University from 1958 to 1992 introducing countless students to the practice of weaving, passing on techniques and a passion for the craft. In those 34-years she influenced countless young artisans, many who have continued their practice of weaving.
After her time at the University, Jo has continued to interact with other artisan through the Bishop Hill Fiber Guild where she has been a member for many years.
Much like her days in Browne Hall, in 2009 Jo set up two looms as part of the exhibit, Artisans and Their Craft at the Western Illinois Museum. She showed visitors how to weave -working side by side with her. For many visitors, this was their introduction to weaving and an opportunity to meet one of Macomb’s generous educators and gifted artists.