Credit: Kohler Co.
A beloved art piece in the Village of Kohler has a new home.
“The Last Immigrant” bear, an iconic eight-foot cast iron sculpture, which previously stood near the entrance of the Inn on Woodlake, has been relocated amid a major expansion and renovation project at the hotel.
Recently, construction crews worked carefully to transport the towering figure to its new location adjacent to the Kohler Company’s main office.
‘The Last Immigrant” was created by artist Marilyn Lysohir in 1989 as part of Kohler’s Arts/Industry in-residence program.
After creating the bear sculpture, Lysohir dedicated the piece to her grandparents, who immigrated to the United States.
Each year, the Arts/Industry serves as a collaboration between the John Michael Kohler Arts Center and the Kohler Company to give 12 artists space in Kohler’s Pottery and Foundry.
In addition to space, the artists are also given materials and equipment to use for their pieces while collaborating with factory associates to explore new ways of thinking for the artists and Kohler employees.
In Lysohir’s case, her bear sculpture was formed using cast iron, brass, silver solder, and steel, all materials used by Kohler in their kitchen and brass products.
More information on the Arts/Industry program can be found online at kohlercompany.com.
