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BIRDIE THE

NEWS, VIEWS, PEOPLE ... STORIES FROM THE VILLAGE AND BEYOND

PLAYTIME

From wilderness trails to Whistling Straits

GASTRON OM Y

Bourbon, wine and seasonal surprises

CULTURE

Celebrating 50 years of arts and industry

Welcome to The Birdie

e name Kohler means different things to different people. First and foremost, we’re a family—one that arrived in Wisconsin in 1854. Kohler is a village too, of course, and home to some of America’s most vaunted golf courses. But there’s far more to this beautiful little enclave than tee times and tap-ins, which is why we decided to make a magazine showcasing the people, places, and experiences that make the Village of Kohler such a magical destination. In this first issue, for example, world-renowned contemporary artist Daniel Arsham discusses our ongoing partnership, which has seen him design bathroom fixtures, golf apparel, a series of monumental sculptures, and even a cabin you can stay in – immersive art if ever we saw it (page 8). It was Daniel who introduced us to Erica Malbon, cofounder of game-changing golf brand Malbon, who shares her master plan for making the greatest game on earth more attractive to young people (page 14). On page 26 we tell the story of the Village of Kohler’s origins as a garden community, and on page 20 we meet a new partner, Richard Christiansen, who also has a passion for gardens and is the brains behind L.A.-based wellness brand Flamingo Estate. We also reminisce on 50 years of Kohler’s seminal Arts/Industry residency program (page 18). Plus, there’s plenty of news from e American Club® and a quick peek behind the curtain at the recently renovated Kohler Waters Spa (page 22).

Whether you’re a guest at one of our hotels, hiking at River Wildlife, enjoying a memorable few days of golf, or simply indulging in a spa day with friends, we wish you a wonderful visit and hope to see you back here very soon.

Tasty titbits to get the conversation rolling. Did you know . . .

A pig deal John Michael Kohler sold Kohler’s ﬁrst

an enameled cast-iron hog scalder, for a

and 14 chickens.

Among Lake Michigan’s small community of committed surfers,

is aﬀectionately known as the

Here’s looking at ewe e sheep you might see grazing at Whistling Straits® are a prized breed called Scottish blackface, known for their long, coarse wool—necessary for withstanding the course’s harsh winds and unforgiving weather conditions.

bathtub,

cow

Surf’s

Sheboygan

Malibu of the Midwest.

A colorful cameo

In 2003, Herb Kohler was cast as Café Man in the Western ﬁlm Open Range, directed by and starring his friend Kevin Costner.

THE Maverick SPIRIT

THERE’S EVERY REASON we put Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. on a pedestal, both ﬁguratively and literally. (Keep an eye out around the resort and you’ll probably spot his bust perched on one.) Speak to anyone who knew him, or indeed knew of him, and they’ll regale you with a story of how he was one of a kind.

“He was a real maverick,” says Mary Reid, former vice president of industrial design at Kohler Co., who knew our late ﬁgurehead well. “He was always going against the grain, a tireless innovator.”

Mary spent over 40 years at Kohler, designing exotic faucets, outlandish sinks, futuristic bath tubs, and, in 1997, the Whistling Straits®

“He was a real maverick . . . always going against the grain, a tireless innovator.”

logo—which she admits looks suspiciously like Mr. Kohler. And so when David Kohler began thinking about how best to recognize the 60 years his father had spent heading up the family business, he turned to Mary for help.

“I wanted to articulate Mr. Kohler’s creative process,” explains Mary. “It was the art of reﬁning a notion.” What she came up with was an extraordinary feat of precision and craftsmanship, a rotating wooden sculpture that creates and dissolves a perfect helix—“a physical metaphor for bringing order out of chaos.” She called the miniature prototype e Maverick Spirit.

When Mr. Kohler died, David and Mary resolved to bring the model to life, only 30 times the size. To do that, they sought the help of Arizona-based Creative Machines, arguably the only company in the United States that could create this kind of monumental kinetic sculpture. What’s their secret? “ eir engineers are creative,” grins Mary. “And those two things rarely go together.”

After two years of extensive prototyping, new fabrication processes, and rigorous testing, a colossal masterpiece was unveiled on the outskirts of the Village of Kohler. (Its manufacture had been shrouded in secrecy.) Standing 26 feet tall and measuring 8 feet in diameter, the sculpture consists of 61 stainlesssteel blades, each representing one year of Mr. Kohler’s service to the company. It rotates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can withstand winds up to 90mph—a ﬁtting tribute to a man who everyone agrees was larger than life.

A placard next to the sculpture sums it up nicely: “Some see order, some chaos. Herb saw the next opportunity. It could get messy, but that just made him smile and put a twinkle in his eye.”

A LEGACY IN A GLASS

“Some legacies are written in history books, others are poured over ice,” says Eric Newton, the Kohler sommelier behind a cocktail designed in honor of Herbert V. Kohler, Jr. “The Maverick is a drink that captures his essence—bold, refined, and refreshingly unexpected. It is built on J. Henry & Sons bourbon, a rich, Wisconsincrafted spirit that reflects the depth and character of its namesake. Kohler honey simple syrup adds a touch of homegrown sweetness, a nod to the craftsmanship and care that define Mr. Kohler’s legacy. The combination of fresh lemonade and lemon juice provides a bright, invigorating contrast—much like Mr. Kohler’s fearless approach to business and innovation."

Mr. Kohler’s maverick spirit has inspired a bourbon cocktail, above right, as well as Mary Reid’s sculpture, above

BREAKING the MOLD

OUR FACTORY TOURS OFFER FASCINATING INSIGHTS INTO PIONEERING TECHNOLOGY AND THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE KOHLER'S PRODUCTION LINE IN ACTION

FROM CHELTENHAM TO CHONGQING, Huntsville to Brownwood, Kohler has operations around the world, but there’s a strong chance that the tiles, bidet, and bathroom sink in your room were made just over the road, here in the Village of Kohler. And while we appreciate that not everyone cares about how two patterns combine to create a porcelain toilet, there are many who do (or at least feign a passing interest), which is why we’ve been oﬀering factory tours since 1926.

Today, the Industry in Action tour provides a window into the working world of thousands of Kohler associates. Starting in the pottery factory, guests learn about the age-old processes of shaping and ﬁring clay, and the modern techniques used to do so on an industrial scale. Likewise, in the foundry, robots have taken over much of the heavy lifting, but the act of pouring molten metals into molds remains at the heart of the matter, whether it’s an iron bathtub or a brass shower head.

Kohler’s guides often describe the tour as a feast for the senses. Visually it’s impressive, and the sounds and smells of factory life—not to mention the often stiﬂing heat—only add to the drama. But for all the multimillion-dollar machinery and cutting-edge technologies, the tour is as much a history lesson, one that explores the evolution of craftsmanship and the art of making beautiful objects. For more information, please call the Kohler Design Center at 920-457-3699.

Right, foundry workers molding cast-iron tubs in the early 20th century

THE RISE OF fun DINING

WITH A TEAM OF TOP CHEFS AND A SOMMELIER WHO IS PASSIONATE BUT NEVER PRETENTIOUS, THE IMMIGRANT RESTAURANT IS RIPPING UP THE HOSPITALITY RULE BOOKWITH SERIOUSLY TASTY RESULTS

NOW, PERHAPS MORE than ever, it feels like e Immigrant Restaurant at e American Club® is tearing up the hospitality rule book. Recently, the kitchen has metamorphosed into a many-headed hydra: a slick gang of seasoned chefs, each with their own distinct creative direction. It’s a more democratic approach to ﬁne dining, or as Alex Dorn, senior director of food and beverage at Kohler Hospitality, puts it, “a playground for our chefs to experiment with ideas and move the needle forward in a trendsetting fashion.”

As has been the case for some years now, the menu will change on a seasonal basis and showcase the best local produce. When pressed on the direction the team has in mind, Alex remains reticent, but he admits inspiration has been loosely drawn from the legendary molecular gastronomy at Next in Chicago. “It’s going to

be more of a collaborative approach and each quarter we’ll see a diﬀerent chef put together a new degustation menu,” he adds. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Likewise, under the stewardship of sommelier John Eisele, e Immigrant Restaurant’s wine list has also become a lot less serious. “When I started two years ago, all of our wines had to have been awarded at least 90 points by [wine critic] Robert Parker or Wine Spectator,” says John. “ ere is merit to those scores, not least to demystify certain things, but there’s a lot of incredible wineries that aren’t in the position to pay for those scores, or indeed care about them.”

With over 4,400 bottles, e Immigrant Restaurant’s wine cellar is one of the largest in the Midwest (if not the largest) so, naturally, there are plenty of vintages from celebrated regions such as Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, and Napa

Valley—many of which are displayed on shelves lining the walls of the restaurant’s Normandy Room. However, John has introduced dozens of “new-world” oﬀerings from young wineries in places such as Portugal, South Africa, Oregon— and even Wisconsin, in the form of a beautiful Marquette from American Wine Project, a twohour drive west of Milwaukee.

So what’s a good tipple for this time of year? “ roughout spring and summer, I often recommend a wonderful Austrian grüner veltliner,” John says. “White wines do pair well with this season’s tasting menu, so I’ve also got a nice German Riesling, a lovely Etna Bianco from Sicily, or, if we’re serving sashimi, I always suggest sake. Otherwise, it all depends on where our wines are sitting in their aging cycle or how they’ve been drinking recently. And, of course, I’ll always try to throw in a few surprises.”

“White wines pair well with this season’s tasting menu. Or, if we’re serving sashimi, I always suggest sake.”

FIVE AMERICAN WINES TO DRINK THIS SEASON

L. Mawby, Blanc Brut, Leelanau Peninsula, MI

From the northern part of the mitten of Michigan, a traditional-method sparkling that blends chardonnay, pinot gris, and Riesling. A little funkiness comes through on the nose, with apples, pears, and a touch of herbaceousness in the background.

Arnot-Roberts, Randle Hill Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Mendocino, CA

A Sancerre style of sauvignon blanc coming from northern California. Lots of citrus fruit in the nose, with grapefruit, lime, and orange. A hint of jalapeño joins the mix on the palate.

De la Boue Pinot Noir 2022, Willamette Valley, OR

A newer producer in Oregon making a lighter style of pinot noir, bursting with cherry, raspberry, thyme, and mushroomed earthiness.

Pax The Bench Vineyard Syrah 2022, Clements Hills, CA

A Syrah from one of my favorite Californian producers and great served chilled! Notes of Texas barbecue, blackberry, and mint with just a little extra acidity.

Teutonic Wine Company Pear Blossom Vineyard Riesling Sekt Extra Brut, Columbia Gorge, WA

A sparkling Riesling from Washington made in the champagne method. e wine has a great concentration of bubbles, with hints of pear and apple with a dry ﬁnish.

Above, guests in the wood-panelled restaurant dine on seasonal menus of the ﬁnest local produce. Right, wines chosen by sommelier John Eisele line the walls

GAME Ahead of the

LEADING CONTEMPORARY ARTIST DANIEL ARSHAM HAS CREATED SIX STRIKING CONCEPTUAL SCULPTURES FOR KOHLER, WISCONSIN, IN A UNIQUE COLLABORATION THAT MARRIES ART AND GOLF

“I THINK IT’S GONNA BE a very interesting conversation in the pro shop—people coming in saying, ‘What is that and where did it come from?’” says the renowned contemporary artist Daniel Arsham, reﬂecting on the six dramatic large-scale sculptures in eroded bronze that he has designed for Kohler, Wisconsin, and its golﬁng landscape. “ ere’s gonna be some people who are, like, ‘Why is this thing on my course?’ But, you know, it’s another obstacle. Maybe some people will hit golf balls at them.”

e New York-based artist is disarmingly modest about his creations. Placed around Whistling Straits®, Blackwolf Run®, and

e American Club®, these “future relics of the present” depict subjects ranging from the classical Venus de Milo to the decidedly unclassical Pikachu, exploring the power of nostalgia and the artist’s concept of the “beauty of decay.”

ey look as if they have been there for centuries, gently moldering away—Daniel uses the term “mythical contemporary archaeology”—but in fact they were unveiled in 2024 and positioned precisely to complement the glorious scenery and views of Lake Michigan. “Once you place the sculpture in that landscape, it transforms the entire landscape,”

the artist explains. “You’d see them a mile away if you’re on the course and you are just curious about what it is.”

e sculptures were the product of a vision shared by David Kohler, Chair and Chief Executive of Kohler, and Daniel, who has collaborated with a host of world-famous artists, musicians, designers, and brands. e artist, who started playing golf as a child with his father and grandfather, reflects: “It’s really the only sport where the course is different or the context is different every time.

“ ere is a kind of artistic, architectural, even sculptural proposition that’s inherent in the game of golf,” he continues. “You end up playing against the creator of the course itself.”

Daniel’s latest collaboration with Kohler, the Landshapes™ bathroom collection, represents an intriguing sculptural proposition of its own. e pieces have a hand-carved feel and sinuous asymmetrical forms—the freestanding bathtub, for example, seems to have been carved from a single piece of stone. “On the interior, it has this smooth-toned surface, and as the material recedes to the exterior, it becomes more and more rough,” he says. “So you have this sense that it was chiseled from a block.

“It was originally a stone bathtub that I created for myself. It weighed 16,000 pounds and was completely impractical as an object, but Kohler created a similar form with a much lighter weight in a more resilient material. When I’m designing the bathtub, it’s the same process, the same way of thinking, as if I’m designing a sculpture. ere’s no diﬀerence.”

Water droplets provided inspiration for the sink and the jewel-like cabinet knobs, while the bold organic form of the mirrors reﬂects Daniel’s love of Japanese joinery. e smart toilet, meanwhile, brings the artist’s hallmark crystallization technique to the home bathroom in spectacular style, thanks to innovative use of multilayered decals.

“We think about the way that we work in the studio almost like alchemy, where you’re

Clockwise from top: Arsham Cabin at Kohler, Wisconsin; Unearthed Bronze ErodedMelpomene; pieces from the Landshapes™ collection, Daniel’s latest collaboration with Kohler

“There is a kind of artistic, architectural, even sculptural proposition inherent in the game of golf.”

transforming one material into something else,” he explains.

ese designs take pride of place in the private Arsham Cabin at Kohler, Wisconsin, which offers guests a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the artist’s creative universe. Set on a bluff, the cozy and eclectic two-bedroom cabin is fitted out with pieces from the Landshapes™ collection and cherished elements from Daniel’s home. It has a wood-burning stove for cozy evenings, a spacious porch with views of Lake Michigan, and a tranquil Zen garden that provides a perfect showcase for two of the artist’s sculptures: Bronze Eroded Bunny, inspired by a Bugs Bunny toy, and Bronze Extraterrestrial Bicycle, cast from a replica of the BMX bike used

in Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial

“ e cabin brings together all these elements that I’ve used in my own home,” the artist says. “I haven’t really done anything quite like that. Unless you’re sleeping in my house, that’s as close as you’re gonna get to that.”

Daniel has also developed an exclusive apparel collection with the golf lifestyle brand Malbon and is passionate about connecting the worlds of art and sport. “Incorporating my sculptures into the golf landscape will hopefully spark conversation about creative expression and golf in a whole new way,” he says. “We created an atmosphere where unexpected wonders emerge out of the blue, oﬀering moments of surprise.” For more information, visit KohlerWisconsin.com/ arsham-in-kohler.

THE GRASS really is GREENER

THE LANDSCAPE DIRECTOR AT KOHLER, WISCONSIN, EXPLAINS HOW NOTHING IS LEFT TO CHANCE WHEN IT COMES TO KEEPING OUR COURSES IN IMMACULATE CONDITION, WHATEVER THE WEATHER

NO VENUE BECOMES as visually stunning as Whistling Straits® or Blackwolf Run® by accident. e sporting splendor enjoyed by players comes as a direct consequence of painstaking, detailed work that typically takes place behind the scenes.

ese Wisconsin sites are distinct on the basis of climate. e Straits® course typically closes on the last weekend of October, reopening at the end of April. e Irish course at Whistling Straits® and Blackwolf Run® will remain open closer to anksgiving. When the gates close, the scene can be spectacular owing to the severe winters— and occasionally springs—encountered in this part of the United States.

Chris Zugel laughs when asked whether he can sit with his feet up during the oﬀ-season: “I wish!” We chat in late February. Ten inches of snow lie on the ground but the Kohler Company’s director of agronomy and landscape

“We’ve had mini icebergs on fairways that had to be chopped up with a chainsaw.”

FIVE FINE FESCUES

is as busy as ever. “We do a lot of planning for staﬃng, we check all of the equipment, going top to bottom on every piece,” he explains. “Once we open, we don’t want to stop.

“Our goal is to make sure the courses are prepared to the very best of our ability. We make sure all of the accessories on the courses— tee markers, water coolers, ﬂags, signs—are repainted or ﬁxed if there is any damage. We also do a lot of training, learning about new technology and research.

“When it is cold, we can get places on the golf course. We will do construction projects that will have minimal impact on the turf. e ground freezes solid so you can get out to places that otherwise would be a long process.”

ere are moments to remember. e river ﬂowing through Blackwolf Run® has frozen completely on occasion before heavy rain. “It becomes like spilling a glass of water with ice

Historically, five species of fine fescue grass have been used on Europe’s sandy links courses: strong creeping red fescue, slender creeping red fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, and sheep fescue. These low-input turfgrasses were first introduced to American fairways when Pete Dye debuted them at Whistling Straits® in 1998—a year before David McLay Kidd followed suit at Bandon Dunes. Here at Whistling Straits®, the firm, bouncy fairways and primary rough are a blend of three fescue cultivars, while the deep rough is a blend of four.

in it across a table,” Chris says. “We’ve had mini icebergs on fairways that had to be chopped up with a chainsaw.”

Chris’s staﬀ expands to 150 in the summer. Making sure the fescue grass grows exactly as and when the venues want it is a key challenge. “ e one thing we are conscious of is pushing the grass too hard,” he says. “We need to let the soil warm up before we can do certain things. In the summer, when the grass is growing actively, it is no diﬀerent to you or me going for a long walk and needing a snack or water halfway because it is hot. When it is colder, you can do more without stressing the grass, but you also don’t want to feed it and make it think it should grow when the conditions aren’t right.”

If the seasons were always the same, Chris’s job would clearly be easier. Instead, planning and analysis are essential. “Our maintenance follows the seasons,” he says. “As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, the grass grows more and the resort becomes busier. During summer, the focus is on keeping the grass neat and tidy and the ﬂowers and trees healthy, whereas in the fall, we shift towards closing down the golf courses and the removal of fallen leaves.”

roughout the year, one of the main things to be aware of is big swings in temperature. “If it was zero degrees today, then we saw it was to get to 50 degrees and sunny tomorrow, then it was to start to rain, then back to zero . . . that’s the sort of thing that can damage grass,” says Chris. “It’s just like flowers, with the difference that you could go out and cover flowers to protect them. We obviously can’t cover an entire golf course.” Not in that sense, anyway.

THE GREAT GOLF MAKEOVER

WITH A COVETABLE LINE IN FASHIONFORWARD APPAREL THAT APPEALS TO WOMEN AND YOUNG PEOPLE, THE HUSBANDANDWIFE TEAM BEHIND MALBON ARE ON A MISSION TO MAKE GOLF HIP

IT DIDN’T TAKE LONG for Malbon to become the coolest brand in golf. Admittedly, when it was founded in 2017 there wasn’t a great deal of competition—which was largely what inspired husband and wife Stephen and Erica Malbon to give it a go in the ﬁrst place. at, and the fact that their young son, Remington, like them, had become obsessed with the sport.

“Remi has been a huge inspiration for Malbon,” says Erica, who maintains that Malbon is actually a lifestyle brand inﬂuenced by golf. “He’s a kid who lives and breathes golf but who also loves music and fashion, and like so many young people, is more drawn to the stars of those worlds. For a while, it was the fact that his hero, Michael Jordan, plays golf that kept him interested.”

From the start, the idea was to make golf cool by designing the kind of fairway-ready apparel that artists, musicians, and skateboarders might wear day to day or that might feature in Vogue. (It has, multiple times, by the way.) But it was never about being cool for cool’s sake.

“Golf was seen as very conservative, exclusive, and in some ways segregated, and we wanted to change the narrative,” explains Erica. “We want golf to be inclusive and fun, and to bring people together, especially those who are underrepresented in this sport: women, kids, and people of color. Our mission statement has always been to inspire young people to participate in the greatest game on earth and to make the green the common ground.”

at Stephen and Erica have no shortage of very cool and inﬂuential friends has certainly helped the brand’s trajectory. It’s an added bonus

that most of them play golf too. Among them, pop star Justin Timberlake, rapper Schoolboy Q, NBA legend Steph Curry, and comedian Andrew Santino all regularly wear the Malbon colors.

“ ese are the kind of people that the younger generations admire, and they’re really passionate about golf,” says Erica. “So for us, it’s about telling their stories through a golﬁng lens.”

Meanwhile, the couple quickly mastered the art of collaboration. Malbon’s much-hyped branded partnerships include capsule collections with Jimmy Choo, Girl Skateboards, Beats by Dre, and Vilebrequin, alongside more left-ﬁeld launches with Keith Haring, Wu Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. And, lest we forget, the 2024 Malbon x Arsham in Kohler collection.

“Before we started Malbon, golf apparel had become very sporty and performance-based; it had lost any sense of fun or elegance,” says Erica, sporting a trademark tennis dress. “If you can wear clothes that you feel comfortable in, rather than a prescribed uniform, you’re far more likely to participate. And I think this is especially true for women.”

Still, the Malbons won’t take all the credit for making golf cool (again). “ at’s the beauty of it,” grins Erica, when asked if golf is actually just inherently cool. “You can play against people of all ages, all abilities, and increasingly all backgrounds because ultimately you’re just trying to be the best version of yourself—and that in itself is pretty cool. It also helps that it’s one of the sports where women can outperform men,” she adds with a chuckle.

Stephen and Erica Malbon, dressed in their brand’s fairway-ready fashion

LAY of the LAND

STATE of the ARTS

FIFTY YEARS AGO, RUTH DEYOUNG KOHLER II INVITED LEADING CREATIVE TALENTS TO JOIN THE ARTS/ INDUSTRY PROGRAM. NOW IT IS ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED RESIDENCIES IN THE UNITED STATES

FOR THE PAST YEAR, we’ve proudly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Arts/Industry residency program, a remarkable collaboration between Kohler Co. and the John Michael Kohler Arts Center. No one could have imagined the success it would become when, in 1974, Ruth DeYoung Kohler II, then Director of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, suggested an idea to her brother, Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., then Kohler Co. Executive Chairman, to invite artists into the Kohler factory to create works of art. ey knew there was a space between art and manufacturing that needed exploring, but little did they know that it would grow into one of the most revered residencies for visual arts in the world, one that receives more than 600 applicants every year.

To date, more than 600 artists from 25 countries have beneﬁted from the program, working alongside Kohler associates to integrate innovative industrial processes into their larger creative practice. And, as Ruth and Herbert intended, it’s an entirely symbiotic relationship. Many of the artists go on to exhibit at some of the world’s leading museums and galleries, but, equally, Kohler’s Artist Editions product line, including patterned sinks, is derived from concepts and processes developed by Arts/ Industry alumni. Artist Editions celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025.

“ e idea is to bring in artists at exactly the right point in their career,” says Michelle Grabner, a professor of art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, who was a 2017 Arts/ Industry resident. “ e value of art is traditionally

based on rarity, on the creation of a discrete item, so how does that change when those items, by virtue, can be mass-produced?”

It’s a question that Native American artist Margaret Jacobs, a member of the Akwesasne Mohawk tribe, has spent years mulling over. Currently in residence in the Kohler foundry, she applied to the Arts/Industry program four times before being accepted. Does it live up to expectations?

“It’s been such a great experience so far,” says Margaret. “As an artist, I really enjoy an immersive experience like this program provides. I’ve been learning so much and I’m excited to see what comes out of the residency program and how my work shifts to ﬁt the casting process.”

e Arts/Industry 50th Collective is a rotating exhibition and event space in the Shops at Woodlake in Kohler, Wisconsin, curated by Michelle Grabner. e exhibition celebrates the 50th anniversary of the program and has showcased works by alumni including Ann Agee, Ghada Amer, Lily Cox-Richard, Jack Earl, Joel Otterson, Woody De Othello, Christine Tarkowski, Tomas Vu, Willie Cole, and easter Gates. Last year, works from the exhibition traveled to Miami Art Week for a pop-up exhibition in the Miami Design District.

“Artistry is essential to our work at Kohler,” says Laura Kohler, Chief Sustainable Living Oﬃcer of Kohler Co. “Without it, Kohler would not be Kohler. I’ve been involved in the Arts/Industry program for over 30 years and have seen ﬁrst-hand how this program brings diversity, inspiration, and new ways of thinking to our manufacturing environments.”

GARDEN art WALK

WE’VE ALWAYS SAID that artistic expression is woven into the landscape here at Kohler. For the most part, we’re referring to the hundreds of artworks, born from 50 years of the Arts/ Industry residency program, that have come to rest around the village. ere’s Marilyn Lysohir’s monumental bear sculpture outside the Inn on Woodlake; Michael Bishop’s enormous head of a toddler on Highland Drive; and Gregory Kline’s blindfolded bust on Woodlake Walk. ere are 50 such works—metal sculptures that have come to deﬁne the artistic output of Kohler’s foundry—dotted around the site, cleverly curated by Arts/Industry alumnus Michelle Grabner. Starting with Stephen Paul Day’s aptly named e Immigrant outside e American Club® and ﬁnishing with Steven Bradford’s untitled totem at Sports Core, the Arts/Industry walking tour should be enjoyed over the course of a morning or afternoon, in the same way one might peruse a dedicated sculpture park. Stopping halfway for chocolate is also advised.

Clockwise from far left: Arts/Industry alumni David Franklin, Tomas Vu, Susie Gansch, and Deborah Fisher

“We are pollinators . . .

spreading this wonderful love of nature

THE FÊTED LIFESTYLE BRAND FLAMINGO ESTATE WAS THE PERFECT PARTNER FOR THE RELAUNCH OF VIBRANT, NATURE INSPIRED COLORS FROM THE KOHLER

GLOW with the FLOW

KOHLER’S SPA THERAPISTS AND PLUMBING ENGINEERS HAVE COMBINED THEIR UNRIVALLED EXPERTISE IN THE WORLD OF BATHING TO TRANSFORM THE KOHLER WATERS SPA

UPON ENTERING THE recently refurbished Kohler Waters Spa, guests are oﬀered a calming cup of ashwagandha and passion fruit tea. It’s an ancient Ayurvedic recipe known to reduce stress and anxiety (among other things), but the gesture is about more than that. ere is intention behind every last detail, explains Melissa Abler, the spa’s manager. Equally, the act of sitting down, relaxing, and enjoying this vivifying brew should be treated as a statement of intent. Because from this point until you leave the spa—however long that may be—it’s all about you. Forget the distractions of the outside world and simply enjoy this opportunity to nourish, rejuvenate, and switch oﬀ—quite literally, for nowadays this is a decidedly devicefree zone.

Of course, for a quarter of a century now, the spa’s ethos has been about facilitating distraction-free indulgence, but as with all things Kohler, we’re constantly striving to push the envelope. Indeed, our therapists are encouraged to dream up new and innovative treatments, safe in the knowledge that Kohler

Co.’s engineers are well equipped to turn them into a reality. “What’s unique about Kohler Waters Spa is how it is a collaboration between our spa therapists and Kohler’s plumbing teams,” says Melissa. “It means we’re in a position to create products and experiences that other spas could only dream of.” is is particularly true of the new and improved hydrotherapy suite that features the groundbreaking new Kohler x Remedy Place ice bath, designed by Dr. Jonathan Leary. But innovation runs throughout the spa, from the café (collagen smoothies, anyone?) to the ﬁnishing studio, where treatments such as the new Golfer’s Foot Rejuvenation cater to an ever-growing demographic of spa-goer. For the aﬁcionado who’s enjoyed every treatment in the book, why not try a Pagani Cryo T-Shock Facial or balance your chakras with a Vibrational Sound Treatment?

Or, simply slip on a gown and get cozy by the ﬁre on the rooftop deck. Sometimes doing absolutely nothing is just what the doctor ordered.

Above, the new KLAFS sauna.

Opposite, the Kohler Waters Spa entrance

THE Power OF WATER

. . .

DEVELOPED IN FRANCE AND PERFECTED BY KOHLER’S THERAPISTS, THE VICHY SHOWER IS ONE OF OUR MOST DELICIOUSLY RELAXING SPA TREATMENTS

THE KOHLER TEAM is at the forefront of a movement dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of water, building on centuries-old knowledge.

e mineral-rich waters of Vichy, a spa town in central France, are believed to have quasimiraculous curing powers. It was there that early practitioners of hydrotherapy developed the Vichy shower, a novel contrivance that combines a massage table with multiple shower heads to deliver water at diﬀerent temperatures and pressures. Some liken the experience to ﬂoating on water, but over the years, as the experience has developed, so too has our understanding

of the health beneﬁts. Vichy showers are said to improve circulation, lymphatic drainage, digestion, joint ﬂexibility, sleep quality, and skin elasticity—and that’s before Kohler’s spa therapists put their expert spin on things with exfoliating lavender scrubs, peppermint-infused ice spheres, carrot-seed facial oils, a magnesiumenriched bath, and the soothing sounds of a handmade tuning bowl. ey’ve even designed a Vichy shower treatment especially for men, which incorporates hot stones on the back and feet. Indeed, there are levels of relaxation you probably never knew existed. Salus per aquam, as the Romans said: health through water.

“As the Romans said, health through water.”

. . . And Contrast THERAPY

SAUNA, PLUNGE, STEAM, WHIRLPOOLRINSE AND REPEAT. THERE’S NOTHING LIKE OUR HOTANDCOLD CIRCUITS FOR FIRING UP YOUR WELLBEING

THERE ARE FEW THINGS more invigorating than working up a sweat in a sauna before testing your mettle in a cold plunge pool. Contrast therapy, as it has come to be known, is a sure-fire way to load up on endorphins and dopamine, while relieving pain and muscle tension. Many claim to feel brand-new afterwards. To maximize the effects, next time you’re at the Kohler Waters Spa, we suggest the following circuit. Start by exfoliating the skin to increase circulation, then spend a couple of minutes rinsing off in a neutral (95 degrees) shower. Move to the whirlpool, where the

warmer temperature will increase oxygen in the blood. Next, see if you can brave a minute in the cold plunge pool, which will shock your body, directing blood to the major organs. Now the nice bit: spend up to ﬁve minutes in the stateof-the-art KLAFS sauna or steam room (which is also a feature of the spa at the Old Course Hotel in Scotland), allowing your circulation and organ function to increase. Repeat the cold and hot stages three times, alternating between the sauna and the steam room. End the circuit by neutralizing your body temperature in the pool. And relax, ideally with a cup of tea.

Left, the Vichy shower. Below, the cold plunge pool

IT TAKES A (garden) VILLAGE . . .

WALTER KOHLER’S VISION OF A COUNTRYSIDE COMMUNITY, FIRST SET OUT IN 1913, IS PERENNIALLY POPULARAND IS NEVER MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN IN SUMMER, WHEN OUR OFFICIAL FLOWER, THE HOLLYHOCK, COMES INTO BLOOM

IF YOU’RE ENJOYING an early-evening drink in one of the lush, ﬂower-ﬁlled courtyards of e American Club® or admiring the abundant planters outside the Kohler Waters Spa, or simply soaking up the luxurious feeling of verdant space throughout the Village of Kohler, you have a gentleman called Sir Ebenezer Howard to thank.

Sir Ebenezer is now a footnote in history, but in the early part of the twentieth century, this British social reformer founded the garden city movement. His theories of garden city planning and how to create healthy, wholesome new towns in the countryside, where workers could raise families in nourishing, green communities, were rooted in the Arts and Crafts ideals of the writer and designer William Morris.

ese ideas chimed with Walter Kohler’s vision for the village he was developing for Kohler workers, so in 1913 he travelled to

Europe, along with Milwaukee architect Richard Philipp, to see the garden cities in action and meet with Sir Ebenezer. He was impressed, and set about creating “a ﬁne American city, with the opportunity for homeownership in agreeable surroundings, all tending toward a rational home life.”

Nothing if not ambitious, Walter knew he needed expert input to realize his vision, so he hired the famed landscape architecture firm Olmsted Brothers to design the overall scheme, including street plans, parks, and other open spaces. e firm’s founder had created New York City’s Central Park and the U.S. Capitol grounds in Washington. Olmsted Brothers created a 50-year plan, with Richard retained to design the houses. By 1917, the Village of Kohler began to take shape, with all the wide streets, woodland walks, generous parks, and leafy, flower-filled public spaces that you still see today.

“Photographs show an idyllic community of childrenplaying in tree-canopied streets, families tending vegetable gardens . . . ”

A SPLASH of COLOR

WINTERS IN WISCONSIN aren’t for the faint of heart. By January, there’s certainly no chance of anything with petals surviving. Pale skies meet umber earth, occasionally separated by a band of off-white snow. And so, to expedite the promise of spring, last year Kohler’s gardening team planted 275,000 tulip bulbs on a two-acre patch between the Village of Kohler and Whistling Straits®. Nina Kohler, Creative Consultant for Kohler Hospitality, came across the Darwin tulip variety (one of the largest on the market) on a trip to the Netherlands, and immediately saw how rows of these vibrant flowers could breathe life into an otherwise empty stretch of road. e tulips are just the first phase of the ambitious Flora Fields project. Sunflowers have been planted and a corn maze is also in the works. Rejuvenation is in the air. e space will be used for live music and group meditation sessions.

Photographs from subsequent decades show an idyllic community of children playing in tree-canopied streets, families tending vegetable gardens, and cottage-style flower beds filled with hollyhocks, which in 1924 were declared the Village’s official flower— seeds were dispatched to every household.

Today this legacy is honored and clear to see. A new 50-year plan was created by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation in 1977, ensuring an environmental pathway into the twenty-ﬁrst century, with a focus on woodland and wetland preservation. e Village’s three parks—Ravine Park, eodore Roosevelt Park, and Lost Woods Park, plus the Arboretum— continue to play their roles as the uplifting “lungs” of the Village, a natural playground for residents and visitors. And throughout the Village, whether on the Kohler campus, at e American Club®, Inn on Woodlake, or at any of the four golf courses, you will see abundant planters and thoughtfully landscaped grounds. As horticulture supervisor Jody Pantel explains, “We use a lot of natural species and calm, soothing shades, but mixed with bursts of color. We aim to always have visual interest as the seasons change.”

And those hollyhocks? Come summer, you will still see them in abundance throughout the Village, their blossomy stems swaying in the breeze. Walter would be pleased.

Left, a charming image from the 1950s. Previous page, an artistic rendering of the planned Village of Kohler, and a hollyhock, its ofﬁcial ﬂower since 1924

Insider SCOOP

WHAT TO EAT, SEE, PLAY, AND ENJOY WHILE YOU’RE STAYING WITH US

ADVENTURE CALLS

SWEET TEMPTATION

No one ever had much of a problem with the original chocolate Turtles. What’s not to like about caramelcoated pecans dipped in chocolate? But that’s not how Herb Kohler’s mind worked. For him, it was, “How can we make this delicious treat even tastier?” And so, in 2003, he challenged the chefs at e American Club® to create a better version. It took them weeks to create the perfect recipe, but after over 100 iterations the Kohler Terrapin was born. And, boy, was it good! So good, in fact, it inspired a whole new arm to the business: Kohler Chocolates, which has gone on to perfect pretzels, toﬀee bark, and ganache—all of which you’ll ﬁnd, alongside an assortment of our legendary Terrapins, at e Shops at Woodlake.

River Wildlife is a stunning 500-acre nature preserve that borders the Village of Kohler. It’s home to all manner of lesser-spotted flora and fauna and is especially popular among ornithologists (10 points for a bobolink, 50 for a bald eagle) and anglers. e Sheboygan River meanders for five miles through the reserve, providing plenty of opportunity for canoeing and kayaking, while 18 miles of scenic woodland trails have put hiking on the map for Kohler guests. A popular route starts at the Blackwolf Run® clubhouse, taking in Waelderhaus dam (a great spot to catch the salmon run in the fall), and finishes at River Wildlife’s charming private membership cabin—where a woodland elk tenderloin sandwich should sate the appetite nicely.

TAKE A LAZY LUNCH

During the summer months, there’s nothing better than packing a picnic and heading out into the great outdoors. Well, unless someone packs it in a rucksack for you, having made a note of all your favorite light bites: charcuterie, sandwiches, pasta salads, maybe even a couple of bottles of wine—for that’s exactly what our in-room dining team will do. In fact, they’ll go one further. ey’ll even lay down a rug and prepare the picnic at your chosen lunch spot—and clean up afterwards. Simply speak to our concierge and let us take care of the rest.

LET THE MUSIC PLAY

Every Friday and Saturday evening (5-9pm) throughout the summer months, we invite some of our favorite local singersongwriters and musicians to play intimate acoustic sets on the patio at e Shops at Woodlake.

Here in Wisconsin, we love our country music, but you can expect to hear everything from blues and folk to bluegrass—and even the occasional bit of polka. Drinks and nibbles are available from Taverne on Woodlake® and

GET YOURSELF IN A PICKLE

What do chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, actress Eva Longoria, model Kate Upton, and the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, have in common? ey all co-own major league pickleball teams, of course! Because if you didn’t know already, pickleball has been the country’s fastest-growing sport for the past four years. According to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, there were 48.3 million players in the United States as of 2024, and it looks like that number is only going one way. So what’s the deal? Pickleball is played with a paddle and a hollow plastic ball and is often described as a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton. It’s been around since the 1960s, when three middle-aged fathers in Seattle invented the game, which is said to have been named after one of their dogs, a cocker spaniel called Pickles. For decades, it was popular among children and adults over the age of 65, but quietly labeled “lazy tennis” among sportier types. How times change. At Sports Core Health and Racquet Club in the Village of Kohler, pickleball is almost as popular as tennis. No longer is it a way for the kids to kill some time while mom and dad play 18 holes. Now, it’s often a toss-up between the fairway and the kitchen.

Kohler Swing Studio, and more often than not there’ll be a few games to play, too. Make sure you don’t forget your dancing shoes and—who knows?—we might even discover the next Bon Iver!

CALENDAR

MAY 911

Mother’s Day Weekend

Is a day really enough to show your mother how much she means to you? This year at Kohler, we’re making a weekend of it, with carriage rides, shufﬂeboard, a “build your own bouquet” pop-up, and yoga by the lake. There’ll be plenty of champagne, loads of activities to keep the kids entertained, and the opportunity to have your portrait taken among the tulips at Flora Fields.

MAY 2326

Memorial Day Weekend

If history is anything to go by, this weekend will offer the ﬁrst glimpse of summer. There’ll be games aplenty on the front lawn at

The American Club® and some of our favorite local musicians will take to the stage at The Shops at Woodlake. Meanwhile, we’ll be offering guided hikes, a bourbon-tasting experience, and candlelit yin yoga by the lake.

JUNE 1315

Father’s Day

Of course, dad will say not to make a fuss, but he’ll love it when you do— especially if it means getting a few holes in. This year, we’re inviting the whole family to come and play at The Baths®, our celebrated par 3 course at Blackwolf Run®, where there’ll be entertainment for all ages, and maybe a few surprises, too.

JUNE 2022, SEPTEMBER 2628

Wellness Retreats

Kohler’s ﬂagship wellness retreat returns for two installments this summer, the ﬁrst of which conveniently coincides with International Yoga Day. Embark on a two-night rejuvenating journey that blends revitalizing spa treatments, candlelit meditations, forest bathing and more. Expect a long-lasting sense of calm and serenity.

JULY 46

Independence Day Weekend

Experience the magic of the Fourth of July in the beautiful Village of

Kohler. Our historic resort offers the perfect blend of family-friendly fun and relaxation. Expect stars, stripes, and nostalgia by the boatload. And where better to raise a glass to our great nation than The American Club®?

AUGUST 30SEPTEMBER 1

Labor Day Weekend

Ever popped a bottle of champagne with a sword? Maybe Labor Day is your chance, as we’re hosting a sabrage class in the courtyard at The American Club®. There’ll be live music on the front lawn, stand-up paddleboarding on Wood Lake, beach fun at Sports Core, and the sunﬂowers should be in full bloom at Flora Fields.

OCTOBER 1619

Kohler Food & Wine

The most important date in Wisconsin’s culinary calendar, Kohler’s annual Food & Wine festival is a remarkable fourday epicurean extravaganza. Dozens of the nation’s most talented chefs, winemakers, and gastronomic innovators will host talks, demonstrations, and popup kitchens. We’re talking belly-busting amounts of haute cuisine, so don’t forget to pack some slacks.

BACKSTORY

Modernizing agricultural tools, 1878

A man’s caste could be determined by the kind of hat he wore

IT’S 1878, THE YEAR WHEN Joseph Swan invented the light bulb, omas Edison patented the phonograph, and Karl Benz was working on the two-stroke engine. In Sheboygan, an enterprising cohort of German and Austrian immigrants led by John Michael Kohler is busy modernizing agricultural tools, including plows, harrows, and drinking troughs. When Charles Silberzahn (pictured at center, holding the child) sells his minority interest to two employees, Herman Hayssen and John Stehn, the business is renamed Kohler, Hayssen & Stehn Manufacturing Company—and it’s not long before they go into enameling and, subsequently, bathtubs. You can tell that Charles (and, to his right, John Michael) were men of seniority, for at this time a man’s caste could be determined by the kind of hat he wore. Both men are sporting more modern, sartorial top hats likely made from beaver fur felt, whereas the rest of the associates tend towards homburgs, John Bulls, bowlers, and cloth caps.

THE BIRDIE | Kohler Wisconsin | ISSUE 01