The Racine Arts & Business Center is aptly named,
literally bringing the arts
to the heart of the city's downtown business district.
The center's building was originally constructed in 1865
by the Racine Wagon and Carriage Company for manufacturing.
When cars became popular many years later,
the owners decided to rent out space to start-ups,
many of which became success businesses.
The tenants that occupy this building now
continue to build on that success
with studio galleries, shops, and even a small café.
One of those tenants is Tony Macies,
a ceramic artist who found success in the space.
He balances the importance of owning a business
while still maintaining his creative drive.
- I mainly work in ceramics.
- Can you tell me about the pieces
on display on the table?
- This one is very simple.
It's called pit firing.
So, it's taking the ceramic piece
and putting it into a bucket of combustible stuff,
lighting the top and just letting it burn down.
And that's where
these different, cool little marks show up.
Then, once the piece is finished,
usually it's waxed to give it a little bit of a shine.
The darks sort of pop out a little bit more.
These three pieces and that piece are raku.
The raku process and this process, to me,
are very visceral.
They're the fastest processes that exist in ceramics.
So I always say that it helps feed
my short attention span and instant gratification issues
because in about an hour and a half,
I'll can pull a piece out of the kiln and it's ready.
- Tony's ceramic business may feature
the fastest art process at the center,
but Erin Manders soap business is certainly
the best smelling set-up.
So, tell us what you make here at Perennial Soaps?
- I make bar soap, liquid soap, roll-on perfume,
body spray, and bath balms.
- Pretty much everything for the body and skin.
- Yup.
- What's your favorite product to make?
- Probably bar soap. - What's that process like?
- Take about an hour to mix the soap and pour it into the mold.
Sits overnight
and then has to cure for about four to six weeks.
- Wow, that long? I had no idea.
What makes this space so special to you?
- It's good for me because I can choose
a small amount of retail hours
and then keep the space mainly for manufacturing.
- Sounds perfect for an entrepreneur like yourself?
- Mm-hmm.
- Spend a few hours
walking through the Arts & Business Center
and you'll see many examples
of creative entrepreneurship.
Part of a long tradition of business enterprise in Racine
that goes all the way back to the 1800s
in this historic spot.
[upbeat jazz music]