Arts Industry Residency Program Brochure

arts industry residency Program for Artists

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Cover: Arts/Industry artist Jim Neel (AL) opens a mold in the Kohler Co. Pottery, 2009.

These pages: A docent-led tour group explores Jim Neel’s installation, Babel (vitreous china, with audio), at the Arts Center, 2010.

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This page: Brooklyn artist Ann Agee at work on the Sheboygan Men’s Room, one of six artist-made washrooms at the Arts Center, 1998.

Opposite: Jack Earl of Ohio, the first Arts/Industry artist in 1974, during his second residency in the Pottery in 1976.

This page: Ann Agee (NJ) works on her Sheboygan Men’s Room, one of six washrooms at the Arts Center made by artists in Arts/Industry, 1998.

Opposite: Jack Earl (OH), who, as lead artist, helped to define the Arts/Industry program in 1974, is shown here refining a slip-cast clay form during a second residency in 1976.

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ARTS/INDUSTRY: THE STORY OF A MOST UNUSUAL COLLABORATION In 1973, the John Michael Kohler Arts Center

In 1976, eight artists under the leadership of

opened an eagerly anticipated exhibition titled

Jack Earl participated in six-week to four-month

The Plastic Earth, an unprecedented survey of

residencies at Kohler Co. The artists worked

contemporary American ceramic sculpture. Most

primarily in the Pottery but made occasional for-

important, the exhibition heralded the beginning

ays into the Enamel Shop where they enameled

of a collaboration between art and industry.

cast-iron discards. Over the next eight years, six

The Plastic Earth was sponsored by Kohler Co. as part of its centennial celebration. At the exhibition’s opening, the Arts Center and the company collaborated on a seminar that brought many of the exhibiting artists for discussions and demonstrations of the industrial technologies.

to eight artists participated annually in summer residencies in the Pottery. In addition, in 1978 and 1981 the Arts Center developed intense two-week technical workshops devoted to mold making and slip casting. Nearly 50 artists participated in each workshop.

The seminar paved the way for the Arts Center’s

Many artists expressed interest in year-round

Arts/Industry program, which began in 1974

residencies up to six months long. That became

with a four-week pilot residency in the Kohler

a reality in 1984. Since then, approximately

Co. Pottery with artists Jack Earl (OH) and Tom

sixteen artists have been in residence annually.

LaDousa (LA). Earl and LaDousa worked twelve- to

The year-round schedule has allowed greater

sixteen-hour days producing 120 witty sculptures

flexibility for artists and the opportunity to

fashioned from plumbingware fixtures that they

undertake large-scale public art as well as a

cut apart and reassembled.

continued emphasis on the exploration of new

A spirited and controversial exhibition of the major works led to a lively exchange among ceramists across the country in “Letters to the Editor” of Ceramics Monthly magazine. An unexpected deep rapport that grew between the artists and industrial associates proved crucial for the future. The residency was so rewarding for all involved that Earl and LaDousa were invited to return late in 1974.

forms and new ways of thinking. In the late 1980s, extensive involvement in iron, brass, and enamel began. Since 1974, over 500 resident artists have utilized the vast resources of Kohler Co. Among them are Christina Antemann, Willie Cole, Barbara Cooper, Kim Cridler, Martha Glowacki, John Himmelfarb, Tom Joyce, Joyce Kozloff, Beth Lipman, Ken Little, Arnoldo Morales, Richard Notkin, Sandy Skogland, Tom Spleth, and Tetsuya Yamada.

Because of the success of these activities, the Arts Center was asked by the American Craft Council to host a conference on the subject in 1975. More than 150 artists participated in intensive panel discussions and workshops in six Sheboygan County industries: Bemis Mfg., Kohler Co., Nemschoff Chairs, Thonet Industries, Vollrath Co., and Wigwam Mills. That conference led, in turn, to a collaboration between two fiber artists and Wigwam Mills.

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JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER

KOHLER CO.

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center and

Founded in 1873, Kohler Co. has become the

Kohler Co. share the name Kohler as well as a

nation’s leading manufacturer of plumbing and

deep commitment to the support of artists from

specialty products as well as the third largest

around the world through Arts/Industry. The Arts

generator manufacturer in the world and a

Center is, however, an independent nonprofit

major producer of four-cycle gasoline and diesel

organization established in 1967 by a group of

engines. The company operates a distinguished

area residents in an 1882 home built by John

interiors business that includes, among others,

Michael Kohler (thus the Arts Center’s name).

Ann Sacks Tile and Stone and furniture makers

They envisioned a thriving multi-arts complex

Baker, Knapp & Tubbs, Inc. and McGuire Furniture.

that would function as a center of cultural life in

Kohler Co. is also renowned for its successful

eastern Wisconsin.

hospitality businesses: Destination Kohler, home

In fact, the Arts Center today attracts up to 218,000 visitors annually from throughout the United States and beyond. It has earned international recognition for Arts/Industry, its innovative, thought-provoking exhibitions, its collection of

of The American Club—the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel—and Destination St. Andrews in Scotland. Its four championship golf courses are ranked among the best in the U.S. by the leading golf publications.

the work of artist-environment builders, and an

Headquartered in Kohler, Wisconsin, one of the

astonishing range of programming. Philosophi-

earliest planned industrial garden communities in

cally, the Arts Center is dedicated to bringing

the country, Kohler Co. is among the oldest and

artists and public together in programming that

largest privately held companies in the U.S. Today,

impacts the lives of both.

it is truly a global firm, with 51 manufacturing plants in 16 countries. It employs more than 29,000 associates worldwide, over 6,000 of whom are located in Sheboygan County.

Opposite: Michael Sherrill (NC) expanded the potential of enameling on iron for Arts/Industry artists during his 2006 residency.

This page: The washroom titled The Social History of Architecture, created by artist Matt Nolen (NY) for the Arts Center, was named “America’s Best Bathroom” on ABC’s Good Morning America and one of the three best bathrooms in the world on the Travel Channel.

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THE RESIDENCY PROGRAM Arts/Industry is often cited as the most unusual

The residency program operates year round to

ongoing collaboration between the arts and

support approximately sixteen artists annually,

industry in the United States. Conceived and

usually four in residence at a time. Participants

managed by the John Michael Kohler Arts

may develop a wide variety of work including

Center of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the program

but not limited to functional and sculptural

is open to artists worldwide. It makes industrial

forms, murals and reliefs, temporary or perma-

technologies and facilities available to artists

nent site-specific installations, and public art

through

commissions.

long-term

residencies,

short-term

workshops, tours, and other programming so that they may further their artistic explorations.

Major funding is provided by Kohler Co.

Artists-in-residence are given studio space in the factory that generally is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition,

The primary component of Arts/Industry is a

they receive free materials, use of equipment,

residency program in the industrial Pottery, Iron

technical assistance, photographic services,

and Brass Foundry, and Enamel Shop of Kohler

housing, round-trip transportation, and, for

Co. Artists have the opportunity to spend two

American artists, modest honoraria.

to six months creating works of art utilizing the industrial materials and equipment. Participants are exposed to a body of technical knowledge that enables them to explore forms and concepts

Hundreds of emerging and established artists have benefited from the Arts/Industry program at Kohler Co. since its inception in 1974.

not possible in their own studios and to undertake fruitful new ways of thinking and working.

Opposite: Artist Fred Spaulding (TX) is shown, in the Foundry, enveloped by prototypes and cast components for his sculptures, 2007.

Above: Chris Lo Sze Lim (Hong Kong) (right) receives assistance opening a plaster mold to reveal the leather-hard clay form, 2007.

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FACILITIES AND MATERIALS The primary studio space for work in clay is

The Enamel Shop allows artists to use enamel

located in the casting shop of Kohler Co.’s

powders directly on red-hot cast iron in single or

Pottery, one of the largest potteries in the world.

multiple applications. The Enamel Shop contains

Artists use a strong, off-white vitreous china

36 large enameling ovens; artists may schedule

clay which is once-fired in oxidation to 2400°

a limited amount of enameling. The Enamels

F (cone 10). A kiln fired to 2100° F (cone 5)

Laboratory allows artists to experiment with and

is also available. The clay is superb for slip

test the brilliant vitreous enamels available. Past

casting and carving but is less effective for

artists-in-residence have developed liquid and

throwing and hand building. It is in slip form

paste enamels for use on somewhat cooler iron

(liquid clay) and is piped under pressure to the

and with a variety of stencils and drawing tools.

artists’ studio space. Artists use plaster to make molds for slip casting their work. At times, a limited amount of discarded production molds and ware can be utilized. Cast pieces can be assembled in various ways before or after firing.

Artists are encouraged to experiment with the range of glaze possibilities. Color variations may be made by adding ceramic stains (no oxides) to a variety of clear and white glaze bases.

Kohler Co. has an extensive research and development laboratory where artists are able to develop glazes.

Arts/Industry provides nearly all materials and equipment normally used in factory production free of charge to artists for the creation of their work. Tools and materials not normally used at the factory must be approved by the factory and provided by the artists.

The Arts Center’s technicians and Kohler Co.’s industrial artisans and engineers provide technical information and advice to resident artists.

The artists do the actual work themselves.

Assistants are not available unless an artist makes arrangements with the Arts/Industry coordinator

The Kohler Co. Foundry allows artists to cast

well before her/his residency begins; in such

or free-pour iron shapes. Artists may create

cases, the artist-in-residence generally hires and

their own patterns and molds, use production

provides remuneration directly to the assistant

discards, or incorporate scrap metal into their

unless an intern is available.

work. An array of materials is available for making patterns, including wood, plaster, clay, metal, urethane, Styrofoam, and found objects.

Artists use resin-bonded sand to make molds and cores. Ductile and enamel iron is used for casting. Welding and cutting facilities may also be used at certain times.

Artists working in the Iron Foundry may have periodic access to the Brass Die Cast area where they may cast forms in brass using resin-bonded sand molds. At times, they may also add sprayed metal surfaces to the iron. Carpentry shops may be available periodically for fabricating supports, patterns, and armatures.

Opposite: Denise Pelletier (CT) finishes hundreds of “feeders” for a large-scale installation.

This page: A Kohler Co. associate pours molten iron into molds for an artist.

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ELIGIBILITY AND GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING A PROPOSAL The Arts/Industry residency program is open to all emerging and established artists working in any discipline. Applying artists need not be trained ceramists or metal sculptors.

However, they must have the capability of quickly mastering the industrial technologies.

Artists may choose to work in either the Pottery or the Foundry/Enamel Shop or both.

Not everyone who selects both areas may have the opportunity to work in both areas because of space and personnel limitations. Proposals are accepted any time although there is a yearly deadline. Visit the Arts Center’s Web site to download the application, or contact the Arts/Industry Coordinator.

Although certainly not mandatory, artists interested in a residency are encouraged to tour Kohler Co. in order to increase their understanding of the possibilities and parameters of the program and in preparing an application. Arts/Industry cannot fund such a visit, but the Arts Center staff will schedule an in-depth tour and otherwise facilitate an artist’s stay.

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REVIEW PROCEDURE

TRAVEL, HOUSING, LIVING

The selection of resident artists is based upon

Kohler Co., in the Village of Kohler (pop. 2,000),

several criteria: quality of the artist’s work,

Wisconsin, is less than one hour north of Mil-

potential impact of the residency on the

waukee and 2½ hours north of Chicago. The

artist and her/his art, ability of the artist to

nearest city and home of the Arts Center is

work amicably and effectively with industrial

Sheboygan (pop. 48,000), just five miles away

personnel and other artists as well as within

on Lake Michigan’s western shore.

factory guidelines, and the artist’s own technical capabilities. Proposals are reviewed by Arts Center staff, past artists-in-residence, and others. At times, ceramic or metallurgical personnel are asked to review a proposal for technical feasibility. The process also includes an in-depth telephone interview with the artist as well as with references. Contracts are sent to artists who are selected. Upon their arrival, the artists receive a thorough orientation to ensure a productive residency.

EDUCATION PROGRAMMING Artists-in-residence are asked to give one day per month to educational activities such as lectures, workshops, video interviews, and other activities in the region. The artists are also expected to be on hand to talk with the public during weekday tours of the factory and the program. Through these presentations, the artists expose the public, the arts community, schools, universities, and news media to their work and to Arts/Industry.

THE ARTISTS’ WORK All of the works of art produced by artists during their residencies belong to them. Artists are asked to donate two works: one to the collection of the Arts Center and one to that of Kohler Co. Much of the work produced during a residency is photographically documented, a copy of which is given to the artists.

Free housing for the four artists who are in residence simultaneously is available in a furnished duplex near Kohler Co. Artists may bring family members, but they are asked to cover the resulting costs. The Arts Center provides bicycles for the artists; however, the artists are also encouraged to bring their own cars. Each artist receives a modest bi-weekly honorarium for food and personal expenses. Artists are responsible for expenses of packing materials and shipping their finished works. Residencies are two to six months in length, and a stay of three or four months is generally most fruitful.

Program parameters are based on available funding and other conditions and are thus subject to change.

INTERNSHIPS Internships are available for undergraduate and graduate art students. Interns generally aid the artists-in-residence and, in addition, may work with Arts Center staff on various aspects of the Arts/Industry collection. Interns usually have some access to the industrial technologies for their own art.

For further information about any aspect of Arts/Industry, please contact the Arts Center’s Arts/Industry Coordinator at 920-458-6144 or info@jmkac.org, or visit www.jmkac.org to download an application form.

Opposite top: Artist Lauren Grossman (WA) grinds the surface of a cast-iron sculpture, 2005.

Opposite bottom: Shawn Busse (OR) worked in slipcast clay and cast-iron to create Metronome, 2000.

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Arts/Industry artist Olen Hsu (ID) working in his studio space at Kohler Co. Pottery, 2006.

Back cover: Artist Lynne Yamamoto (MA) preparing her clay forms for drying and firing, 2007.

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inspiring “[Arts/Industry] has inspired me to greater performance as an artist and a human being...”

—Bernard Williams, 2006 “Arts/Industry is...the total engagement of the artist with the material in a unique situation...and there is no place like it.”

—Ming Fay, 1995 “This has been the best, most intense, most productive, most enjoyable artmaking experience I have ever had.”

—Tom Lauerman, 2005 “The generosity of the program [Arts/Industry] is immeasurable.”

—Liz Quackenbush, 1990 and 1993 15

Š 2010 John Michael Kohler Arts Center

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