Milwaukee, Wisc.—Sculpture Milwaukee is pleased to announce the release of the organization’s latest companion beer, Kato Candy IPA, on November 3. Produced by Untitled Art, the beer blends hoppy haze with a touch of sweetness, riffing on the Waunakee, Wisc.-based brewery’s popular Cotton Candy IPA.

Kato Candy’s 16-ounce cans will feature art by Izumi Kato—a closeup of Untitled (2024), the Japanese artist’s totemic painted aluminum figure that Sculpture Milwaukee was proud to present from June 2024 through this October in Museum Center Park as part of Actual Fractals, our current exhibition series.

Knowing that Kato was “something of a pop art star in Japan,” where he had already collaborated with shampoo, record, and toy companies, John Riepenhoff, Sculpture Milwaukee’s executive director and curator, asked Kato if he would lend his art to the new beer’s commemorative can. Kato was happy to oblige, provided that Riepenhoff ship some of the freshly canned beers to his studio in Tokyo.

Although an estimated three million people viewed Kato’s Untitled during the 15 months it was on view in Milwaukee, the widely appealing piece is also sensitive and personal, Riepenhoff noted. And for Kato, the opportunity for an even wider audience to spend time with his art, via its reproduction on the new beer can, is gratifying.

“I’m very happy that my work has been seen by so many people. My art doesn’t contain social commentary, and my creativity is deeply personal,” Kato said. “Still, I always hope that my work is open to anyone, including those outside the art world. I want each viewer to interpret it in their own way.”

He added: “I’m honored to be part of this project, promoting the beer culture of Milwaukee as a collaborator. I hope people all over the country will enjoy this delicious beer.”

American beer and art lovers will have easy access to Kato Candy IPA. Untitled Art is producing 200 barrels of the beer, and it will be distributed widely to stores, bars, and restaurants across 28 states.

After the sell-out success of Sculpture Milwaukee Monumental IPA, brewed in Milwaukee last year by the since-closed Company Brewing, Riepenhoff is glad to continue collaborating with local brewers to foster great conversations about art and promote Sculpture Milwaukee.

“We’re super invested in local cultural systems, but we’re also really ambitious about broadcasting that culture and sharing it and welcoming others to come and experience life here, or just get a taste of it through Kato Candy and its collectible can,” Riepenhoff said. “This kind of national distribution of our beer is new to Sculpture Milwaukee, and we couldn’t do it without the help of Untitled Art. We’re truly grateful for their partnership.” 

He added: “We were sad to say goodbye to Kato’s magnificent piece Untitled (2024) when we deinstalled it in Milwaukee last month, so it’s a great consolation that Kato Candy is coming soon, a smaller-scale masterpiece, also in aluminum.” 

Kato Candy IPA is the latest collaborative brewing project spearheaded by the Beer Endowment, a project Riepenhoff started a decade ago to support and promote artist-run organizations. Proceeds from the beer’s sales will support Sculpture Milwaukee, funding future public art exhibitions across the city.

If you’re a business owner interested in stocking Kato Candy IPA, please reach out to a Ellen Kullerstrand at Sculpture Milwaukee for more information: ellen@sculpturemilwaukee.org

To find Kato Candy IPA near you, use the brewery’s product locator search tool, which will begin updating with new locations soon: https://drinkuntitled.com/products/kato-candy-ipa/

Join us for the first opportunity to taste this collaborative beer in Milwaukee:

On Friday, November 14, from 4 pm until closing time we’ll be celebrating and pouring Kato Candy IPA at Burnhearts. The first 48 people to order a Kato Candy IPA at the bar will receive a FREE Untitled Art pint glass! Along with DJs Andy Positive and The Nile, Riepenhoff will play vinyl, including some of Izumi Kato’s records with The Tetorapotz and Hakaiders. Four-packs of Kato Candy IPA and NEW Sculpture Milwaukee hats will also be available for purchase. 

Kato Candy IPA launch event

Where: Burnhearts, 2599 S. Logan Ave., Milwaukee

When: Friday, November 14, 4 pm - close 

About Sculpture Milwaukee

Sculpture Milwaukee hosts a rotating exhibition of art in public spaces of downtown Milwaukee, supporting contemporary artists and serving as a catalyst for community engagement, economic development, and advancing cultural authorship. Through its free outdoor installations, Sculpture Milwaukee honors the arts and celebrates the community with artworks that spark inspiration and conversation, empowering residents, tourists, students, and art lovers alike to experience sculpture in new and profound ways. Sculpture Milwaukee is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization funded through private grants, donations, and sponsorships. For more information, visit www.sculpturemilwaukee.com. 

The Beer Endowment is an artist-run project that collaborates with breweries to create unique beers for artist-run organizations. These custom beers raise funds and awareness for the organizations by creating a functional exhibition that connects breweries, artists, and the community, embracing Milwaukee’s beer history and collaborative social spirit.

Find media pack, sales sheet, and images for reuse here:  Untitled Art Kato Candy IPA