Artistic wonders with a "Nostalgic Twist"

Last week, we ventured just southwest of Shirley to get a firsthand look at a one-of-a-kind business centered in creativity, nostalgia and artistry. Located in rural Morrison, "Nostalgic Twist" has been captivating shoppers and providing a venue for local artists for just over one year and is truly a sight to behold for anyone who admires fine craftsmanship and artistry. On Thursday, we met with the store's owner--Kerri Johnson--to learn more about the unique shop and the treasures it holds.

Nostalgic Twist can be found off of County Highway W at 2941 Ridge Court between Lark and Greenleaf. After making your way down a long driveway beautifully lined with decorations and flowers, you arrive at a barn that is quite literally overflowing with artistic pieces. Outside of the barn, a large and well-kept garden area displays a variety of outdoor pieces as well as areas to congregate or relax. Inside, one would be hard pressed to detect the barn had ever been used for animals as they are greeted by a massive and wide-ranging assortment of handcrafted items.

The business's owner, Kerri Johnson, explains Nostalgic Twist is her "retirement dream" and the result of a lifelong passion. She says her parents were both artists who instilled in her a love and appreciation for the pursuit. She remembers painting her grandparents’ old cutting boards "way before 'charcuterie' was even a thing". After retiring, she says she "wanted to come up with something unique for me". Eventually, she and her husband, Kurt, decided to renovate their former horse barn into a full-fledged business to feature Kerri's, as well as other artists', work. She says "lots of grunt work" went into converting the barn and the hard work shows in the clean and well-lit space that was created.

Many of Kerri's pieces featured at Nostalgic Twist are refinished and upscaled antique items. She shows us a beautifully restored kitchenette set that belonged to her aunt Laurie and was her first "flipping" project. "For me it's all about the memories," she says and points to a sign that displays the store's motto: "Inspire the creativity within--imagine". She sources her materials from a number of places using what many would consider junk or trash and states, "I find something at the dump, it goes in my truck and I make it something." She also does commissioned restoration pieces for customers saying, "Whatever ties them or makes them remember and makes them feel good, we'll give it to them."

On top of her own pieces, Johnson's Nostalgic Twist also features a vast assortment of one-of-a-kind items from over 45 other local artists. These include a variety of mediums including quilling, painting, woodworking and sewing. "I just love that they love being a part of this," she says and adds she is "happy to have them here" and charges the fellow artist little-to-no commission to sell their pieces in her space. Along with the display space filled with unique and interesting items, the barn also features a workspace and piles of materials which Johnson calls her "stash of possibilities".

This Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Nostalgic Twist, along with dozens of other businesses across Wisconsin, will be featured as part of this year's "Vintage Shop Hop" which directs coinsures to similar stores in each region. Johnson also says they are working with Greenleaf Landscaping and other local businesses to form a "Greenleaf Loop" of unique and interesting stops in the area. The store is open Thursday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and appointments can be easily set up for any other weekday. Along with the art, antiques, boutique items and gifts, Nostalgic Twist also features space for artists to work and regularly hosts art classes. So, if you are in the market for something truly unique and special, be sure to take a trip out to rural Morrison for an unforgettable visit to Nostalgic Twist.