Paint & Sculpture Artist

Summary

Are you a hands-on artist who thrives in a production environment and enjoys bringing immersive environments to life? COST of Wisconsin is seeking a skilled Artist (Sculpture / Paint) to join our award-winning fabrication team.

This role supports the creation of themed environments for zoos, theme parks, resorts, museums, water features, and other specialty construction projects. Work is highly collaborative and hands-on, involving sculpting, carving, painting, molding, finishing, and working with materials such as wood, FRP, GFRC, steel, plastics, and specialty coatings. This is a nonexempt, production-based position performed in a shop environment with a strong focus on safety, quality, craftsmanship, and efficiency.

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 6:00 AM – 3:30 PM and Friday 6:00 AM - 10:00 AM, with potential for overtime work as needed.

What You’ll Do

• Collaborate with sculpture supervisors, designers, and team members to achieve desired artistic finishes and project outcomes (time, cost, material efficiency)
• Create primary forms, molds, parts, sculptures, statues, and 3-D themed work (Sculpture Track)
• Develop custom paint finishes, color palettes, and renderings based on project specifications and reference materials (Paint Track)
• Prepare surfaces from initial prep through final finish, including masking and protection
• Create and file paint formula draw-downs for each paint job or sample
• Work with artists and supervisors to develop paint samples and specialty finishes
• Use spray equipment, pump sprayers, brushes, and other application methods
• Use power and hand tools to weld, cut, grind, sand, spray, brush, and mix
• Work within the FRP and artist shop environments
• Maintain quality control documentation and written records
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe work areas
• Order materials and paint in coordination with supervisors
• Follow all company policies and safety procedures and perform other duties as assigned

What You Bring
Knowledge & Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Preferred: Associate or bachelor’s degree in Art or related field
• Knowledge of materials and methods for producing paint samples across various substrates (fiberglass, clay, concrete, etc.)
• Knowledge of paint and sealer systems including latex, urethane, epoxy, and specialty finishes
• Understanding of units of measurement, scale, and finish systems

Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of relevant experience in artistic fabrication, scenic work, themed construction, or related artistic production
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered

Skills & Abilities

• Must demonstrate COST’s Core Competencies: accountability, communication, decision quality, results-driven mindset, trust, conflict management, work process optimization, planning, resourcefulness, and safety focus
• Strong reading comprehension and listening skills to follow detailed specifications
• Ability to interpret plans, specifications, photos, reference materials, and models
• Strong attention to detail with critical thinking and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team production environment
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work safely in a production setting; OSHA safety experience/awareness preferred

Physical

• Strength and stamina for hands-on production work
• Regularly use hands to handle, grasp, and feel materials and tools
• Regularly walk, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Must have close, distance, color, and peripheral vision; depth perception; and the ability to adjust focus
• Must lift 70 lbs. floor to waist, 90 lbs. waist to chest, and 25 lbs. chest to overhead
• Must carry 50 lbs. for 50 feet, push a 100 lb. wheeled cart for 100 feet, and drag 50 lbs. for 100 feet
• Must pass a respirator medical evaluation

Work Environment

• Work is performed in a production and fabrication environment
• Exposure to odors, fumes, airborne particles, and production machinery noise (moderate to loud)
• Use of respirators and protective equipment may be required
• Overtime may be necessary depending on project schedules
  

If you are passionate about craftsmanship, enjoy working with diverse materials, and want to help build immersive, award-winning environments — apply today. COST of Wisconsin offers competitive pay, steady work, and the opportunity to create one-of-a-kind projects in a collaborative, safety-focused environment.