Inside the Kohler Co. pottery, where workers cast and fire clay into sinks, toilets and tiles on an industrial scale, Sharif Bey makes ceramic pieces for large, sculptural headdresses.
He’s one of 12 artists in the Arts/Industry residency, run by the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. The annual program grants artists 24-hour access to Kohler equipment and materials in its pottery, the part of the factory that uses clay, or the foundry, where iron is cast. An on-site technician assists residents and serves as a bridge between artist and factory.
Over three months, residents gain a body of new work and invaluable skills and practical knowledge. In turn, Kohler workers get an opportunity to think creatively, experiment and, it’s hoped, innovate.
Ruth DeYoung Kohler started Arts/Industry 50 years ago, in 1974, to provide an opportunity for manufacturing and art-making to learn from and inspire each other. Now, throughout this year, the Kohler Arts Center is celebrating the anniversary with workshops and exhibitions recognizing the program’s impact on both sides.
“It’s an incredibly holistic approach, showcasing the work that happens behind the factory and then bringing it into the gallery space,” says Arts/Industry program director Siara Berry. The Kohler Arts Center forwent the usual application process for this year’s cohort, instead inviting an even mix of alumni and newcomers for a more curated approach.
“You don’t really turn something like this down, especially if you were invited,” says Sahar Khoury, a sculptor who’s a first-time Arts/Industry resident. As of June, she’s creating molds of foods like strawberries and pita bread to capture their textures and spark thought about food origin and sovereignty. “I think I’m here to cast as much as I can to then take with me and incorporate into other work...”
Evan Musil
