David Franklin

Making a Plaster Bluegill at Kohler Company Picnic

by

celebrating 150 years at Kohler Co

standing next to the huge Kohler sign

Making a plaster bluegill at the Kohler Company Picnic

I am working on a couple of exciting projects in the pottery at Kohler Co in Wisconsin this summer. It also happens to be the 150th anniversary of Kohler Co. In order to give Kohler associates, and their families, a glimpse of what we are doing in the pottery we set up a booth at the company picnic. I volunteered to demonstrate carving and Shari McWilliams had the brilliant idea of casting plaster miniature versions of a bluegill fish I carved. This would be a craft activity for kids and families. The project was meant to illustrate the work done in the Kohler pottery. The pottery’s mold makers made the molds for the plaster bluegill craft. It was great to see all of the departments in the pottery represented so well at the company picnic.

Making a plaster bluegill at the Kohler Company Picnic was an incredible, if not messy, success thanks to the help of some great volunteers and leadership by: Shari McWilliams who made it all possible, Todd Miske, Joanne Franklin and Melissa Hand who organizes the picnic.

My wife Joanne has been working hard in the pottery casting fish with me. She has also been having a crash course in ceramics and helping manage the projects too. This is quite the family project.

Some pictures from the picnic:

Make your own plaster bluegill
Kohler CEO David Kohler discussing the craft project with Shari McWilliams
Kohler CEO David Kohler discusses the craft project with Shari McWilliams
honored to be paid a visit from Laura Kohler
Laura Kohler paid a visit
Vitor Wojastyk, Pottery Superintendent, and his son
Casting Floor Supervisor Tom Bohn and his family
Kohler Pottery Casting Floor Supervisor Tom Bohn and his family making plaster bluegills

Brian and Sherry Miller representing the mold making department
Brian and Sherry Miller representing the mold making department
Arts/Industry resident artists Cathy Lu, Jacob Olmedo, and the program tech, Nicole Woodard
Arts/Industry resident artists Cathy Lu, Jacob Olmedo, and the Arts/Industry program tech, Nicole Woodard
Eddy is our next door neighbor on the pottery casting floor.
Eddy is our next door neighbor on the pottery casting floor.
successful plaster casters!
successful plaster casters!
Our booth at the Kohler Company Picnic 150 Years of Kohler
Our booth at the Kohler Company Picnic celebrating 150 Years of Kohler

Learn more about my past experiences as a John Michael Kohler Arts/Industry resident can be found at my blog here It is an incredible program that can change your life. Apply here!