Whispering Woodlands 2020
Leopold Shack Replica

Okay, so here's the scoop. I received a call from a dear friend, Sonia, who is an art teacher at Aldo Leopold School in Madison. The school needed to remove the A. L. shack from the school this summer. Come to find out, because it could be a fire hazard!  Sonia knew of my facility, Whispering Woodlands, and thought it might be an attraction for people. How neat is that!

It had been built as a replica of the Aldo Leopold Shack in 1980, by the husband of a woman who worked in the school office. (I am on the lookout for their names...) It was well used/loved by the many children and adults that either sat in or around it during their studies over the years. If only those walls could talk...

We have put Spar Varnish on the outside to help it weather the elements in it's new setting. It will be covered over the winter months to help extend it's life here at Whispering Woodlands.  We will also be adding Aldo Leopold benches both inside and out, along with creating a more natural surrounding for the structure. More information will be added as it develops. There will be a hand made guest book inside for people to write in, sharing their thoughts and reflections.  Might be just the place for a writing workshop or a nature/garden art project. What would you like to see?

Please Note:  Living on the premises are several cats. This is their home, but they are willing to share both time and space with you. If needed they can be enclosed in seperate space from workshop partcipants.

Whispering Woodlands * 1600 Speedway Rd * Verona, WI * USA * 53593 *
Phone: (608) 848-9761

 

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Rock Wall leading to meadow

 

 

 

 

Just a little note:

Many of the classes I personally offer are meant to provide a progression in inter-related book arts opportunities. It is not necessary to take them in any specific order, but understand many are complimentary in nature. Likewise, a good foundational class in tools and working methods will be to your advantage for intermediate or advanced work. By taking a decorative paper workshop, you may utilize your work in a book structure as text pages, end sheets or as a cover. Similarily, by taking papermaking you may use the results in a book or as a substrate for a print, drawing, painting, or with letterpress.   Think of them as part of, or a means to an end, not the end in themselves. (not that many can not stand alone and be appreciated as completed work) It is also for this reason I repeat some foundational workshops more often. Understanding the method to my madness may be helpful when making workshop choices.

 

 

 a Retreat to Nature for
the Creative Mind
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At Aldo Leopold School since 1980

Aldo Leopold Shack Replica
 
There's a bit of a story here, check out the pictures and if you want to know more, continue reading below...

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Needed to deconstruct, wouldn't fit fhrough a door!

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Moving Crew

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Peek

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Aldo Leopold Elementary

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Arriving at the new home site

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Grounded in the Gazebo for preservation work

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Cold snap but warm enough to paint with Spar Varnish

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That's more like it, after all, it is August. Someone is happy to be working!

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Roof gets a second coat. Chiropractor did wonders...

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Yup, that's where I want it...

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Site cleared of burn barrels and debris.

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That's good, that's where it goes.

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Okay, we have it up and ready to move, now what?

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Stop, pose, go - Emma helped too!

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Who's Driving?!?

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Not so fast!

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Landed, are you sure this is where it goes?

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Reconstruction

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Finishing Touches - picture of the life size replica

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Come for a visit - new home site, Whispering Woodlands, a Retreat to Nature for the Creative Mind.