Milton's Leuca Guild invites visitors to relax and rekindle lost spirits
(Published Monday, May 7, 2007 11:45:00 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Carla McCann Gazette staff
MILTON-On any given day, "Tug" is the self-appointed greeter at the Leuca Guild.
He meets visitors at the fellowship of artisans, craftspeople, teachers and practitioners of healing and creative arts with a wagging tail and gentle nature.
The mixed breed canine also is a guide, accompanying visitors on tours at the historic Ezra Goodrich House at the corner of Highways 26 and 59.
And he is patient, allowing time to be spent in appreciation of the artistic creations on display for sale here.
What Tug can't do, however, is share the philosophy behind the new business venture. That job belongs to "mavens" Linda Bricco Schalk, the founder, and Jennifer Preiss.
Kirstie Jorgenson looks over art from Larry Schultz and Peggy Taylor at the Leuca Guild in Milton. Jorgenson is an artist looking for a place to showcase her talents. The guild is a fellowship of artisans, craftspeople, teachers and practitioners of healing and creative arts.
Al Hoch/Gazette Staff
"Our philosophy is to allow people to consider living more inspired and progressive lives, and simply put, to act like 2-year-olds because it's in our nature," Schalk said.
Two-year-olds are free spirits, setting out on daily adventures.
"They do fun, cool stuff," Schalk said.
At the Leuca Guild, visitors are invited to rekindle their own free spirits that may have been lost in time.
The store's motto is "Be Aware of Wonder." The business was named in the spirit of the ancient Greek word, leukos, meaning bright, brilliant light.
In the three-story Italianate home built of Milwaukee cream city brick in 1867, visitors are invited to relax, sip specialty tea and spend time with friends in the downstairs galleries.
Linda Bricco Schalk
Within the freshly painted rooms, which all have names, lays the beauty of an on-going multi-medium art show.
Visitors can immerse themselves into the fantasy of oil and water painted scenes, appreciate the essence of a prize winning rose captured in photographs or admire the creativity of a jewelry artist and the skills of an expert crafter in designing treasure boxes.
The works on display represent the talents of such artists as Cindi Dyke of Janesville, whose treasure boxes feature hand-pressed flower lids, and photographer Tom Schmidt.
At 83, the Crystal Lake, Ill., man brings a joy of life to his works.
Different types of art welcome visitors to 'Nancy's Room' at the Leuca Guild.
Al Hoch/Gazette Staff
His wife, 78-year-old Betty, is the painter in the family. Her paintings also are among the oils and watercolors for sale here.
Paintings by Larry Schultz, a Milton artist, are hanging throughout the gallery. His portrait of "Deserie" drew a rave review from Kirstie Jorgenson of Janesville.
"It's awesome," Jorgenson said.
She also is an artist, who stopped at the guild to inquire about selling her paintings there.
The guild welcomes potential "gurus," who are artisans and craftspeople looking for an eclectic and energizing home to grow, Schalk said.
The guild also offers the services of a massage therapist, Meredith Hess, who has extensive experience in all healing traditions.
Rooms still are available for lease upstairs for practitioners or teachers, Schalk said.
The guild has an excellent location for attracting customers, Schalk said.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation traffic counts show that about 12,000 vehicles daily pass by this intersection.
It's hoped that the funky art outside of the Goodrich House will make motorists want to stop and visit.
People are yearning to go back to the days when they felt part of their communities. They want to step back into their childhoods and use their imaginations. The guild offers them a place to do just that, Schalk said.
"Our vision is to be a center of sharing, learning, earth-friendly shopping, a place of jazzy and surprising activity and also, calm and peaceful restoration for folks all over the region," Bricco Schalk said.
If you go
The Leuca Guild at 742 E. Madison Ave. in the historic Ezra Goodrich House, Milton, is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday.
The new business has a full calendar of events and services planned this year.
Dates, times for two of the upcoming events are listed below.
-- All Milton Chalk Walk for Mom's Day, Sunday, May 13. The celebration is open to kids up to 18. The cost, which includes a bucket of chalk, yard sign, tea, cookies and flowers, is $5 per kid and $10 for a family.
Sometime before noon, kids will be asked to create an artistic gift for their moms with chalk on the sidewalk in front of their homes. Kids who don't have sidewalks can use their driveways.
They also can write a tribute to their moms on the yard sign and stick it in the ground close to their art. The day of recognition can include grandma, an aunt, sister or any other great woman in their lives.
Then, between noon and 4 p.m., the family is invited to the guild for tea, cookies and flowers.
-- The Adventures of the Traveling Shoes Show, Thursday, May 24, through Sunday, June 3.
The event will be kicked off from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, May 25, with an opening gala.
The cost is $10 and a donation of a pair of new or gently used shoes to send to U.S. troops in Iraq for delivery to Iraqi children.
The shoes show is open to people 10 and older.
For additional information, call Leuca Guild at (608) 868-6644 or visit www.leucaguild.com.
