Kohler Arts Center
Dr. Smith’s African American Museum- Meet Dr. Smith, an eclectic artist who has turned his Louisiana home into a sculpture garden of literally hundreds of figures from black history. He’ll make you laugh out loud one minute and dig deep in your soul the next as he takes you — and three kids — on a tour of his self styled Museum of African American History and Veteran Archives. Whether he’s imploring his visitors to read the paper or sharing his grief from Vietnam, Dr. Smith is one artist you will never forget.
The Saga of the Whittled Hodag- Appearing in The Milwaukee Music Video Show, this fantastical sung story tells of a whittled Hodag that came to life when “The Thief” snatches him from his creator. Written and performed by Jim White (Thief) and Paul Fonfara (Carnival Barker), the song and visuals are inspired by the life and work of Wisconsin visionary artist Levi Fisher Ames (John Michael Kohler Arts Center collection) and the tall tales he would sing with his family band about the hundreds of real and mythic creatures he would carve out of wood. One of those specimens was the Hodag, a creature of Wisconsin folklore thought to have originated in Rhinelander, WI.
It’s Gotta Be In Ya! -Ruth Kohler tells the story of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center‘s initial steps on The Road Less Traveled—the preservation of Fred Smith’s Wisconsin Concrete Park.
Production Team & Partners
Dr Smith’s African American Museum
Director: Brad Lichtenstein; Producers: Madeline Power, Emily Kuester; Cinematographers: Colin Sytsma, Keith Walker; Editor: Daniela Cortes; Music: Mike Pauers, Clay Schaub, Jay Arpin; Engineer: Kyle White; Post Production:
Independent Studios
The Saga of the Whittled Hodag
Director: Kara Mulrooney; Writers: Jim White, Paul Fonfara; Executive Producer: Brad Lichtenstein; Associate Producer: Madeline Power; Director of Photography: Tate Bunker; Production Designer: Amanda Tollefson; Editor: Ryan Sarnowki; Musicians: Jim White, Paul Fonfara, Claire Campbell, Mike Rosetto, Chris Hepola, Eric Struve; Puppetry: Daniel Polnau, Alison Helmstead; Technical Services Manager: Douglas Brusky; Technical Director: Rick Klein; Gaffer: Spencer Ortega; Grip: Bryce O’Boyle; Stylist: Jenni Schenk; Production Assistants: Jose Lozano, Emily Kuester
