One Good Thing Beside Another

Bread and butter prepared by Rae Friedman of Ordinary Risks
Photo by Patrick W. Buckley, © 2026

Earlier this month, we wrapped up In Praise of Small Things We All See at e.s.r. in Milwaukee.

For ten days, a long table filled with the work of thirty artists became a place for conversation, snacks, chance encounters, and time together. What began as a studio experiment grew into an exhibition, a publication, a series of gatherings, and a reminder that some of the most meaningful experiences emerge from ordinary acts of hospitality.

The exhibition brought together artists from across the United States, each contributing work at a scale suited to the table. Objects sat beside one another, creating unexpected relationships and conversations. Bread and butter prepared by Rae Friedman of Ordinary Risks appeared alongside our handmade flatware. A sculptural bundt cake by Alison Kleinman arrived one evening. Friends became collaborators, collaborators became hosts, and the table continued to grow.

Photos by Patrick W. Buckley, © 2026

The exhibition also marked the public introduction of The Good Set, our first collection of handmade flatware.

A fork, a spoon, and a knife.

Flatware is among the most intimate objects we live with. Used daily and often overlooked, it accompanies celebrations and ordinary meals alike. It is held in the hand, passed around the table, and woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Designed in Milwaukee and produced in small batches, The Good Set combines silver-plated brass with powder-coated handles. Each piece is finished by hand and carries subtle variations that reflect its production and the people who made it.

Like the exhibition itself, the collection emerges from an interest in gathering, hospitality, and the objects that quietly support our lives. Familiar but slightly unexpected, these are objects designed to be lived with, whether at a weeknight dinner, a holiday table, or a meal shared among friends.

For those who couldn't make it to Milwaukee, or for those who would like to revisit the exhibition, Fool's Gold Vol. 1 is now available. Produced as a companion to In Praise of Small Things We All Seeby our pals at BearBear, the publication includes documentation of the exhibition, recipes, and a reading list assembled by participating artists.

As we look toward late summer and autumn, we're continuing to think about the table as a site for conversation, exchange, and collaboration. New Fool's Gold objects are currently in development, alongside a series of meals, gatherings, and partnerships that will bring artists, chefs, and communities together in new ways.

Please visit Ordinary Risks online.

Please visit Patrick W. Buckley online.

Please visit In Praise of Small Things We All See for full list of artists.