Charity art auction blends imagination with industry to inspire Detroit’s next wave of skilled workers
BY JEANIE J. CLAPP
Across the country, AGC members have long stepped up when their communities need them most — whether rebuilding after natural disasters, funding scholarships for construction students, or volunteering time and expertise to repair schools, shelters, and community centers. That spirit of generosity runs deep in the AGC community.
It’s that spirit that’s at the heart of Hard Hats for Detroit, the annual charity art auction launched in 2023 by Sachse Construction, an AGC of Michigan member, as a creative way to spotlight skilledtrade careers while raising funds for youth-focused nonprofits.
The idea is this: Creative minds and skilled hands transform ordinary hard hats into extraordinary works of art that are then sold at auction to the highest bidder. Proceeds support workforce development programs that help Detroit youth gain the skills and support they need to thrive while strengthening the very industry that makes the city run. What began as a small partnership between local artists and construction leaders has grown into a cross-industry effort that links craftsmanship, community investment, and career opportunity.
“This event connects the people who build our city with the next generation learning to do the same,” said Todd Sachse, CEO, Sachse Construction. “By inviting industry sponsors to join the effort this year, we’re expanding our impact. Together, we’re using creativity and craftsmanship to strengthen Detroit’s future.”
The 2025 auction spotlights three partnerships, each pairing an industry sponsor with a Detroit-area artist to reinterpret a standard construction hard hat as a work of art — and a symbol of opportunity for young Detroiters.
Lighting the Way for Detroit’s Future Builders
Milwaukee Tool, an AGC of America Capstone Supporter, teamed up with Bo Shepherd of Woodward Throwbacks, known for her inventive use of reclaimed materials. Their piece transforms a vintage hard hat into a functional lamp, blending the utility of the trades with the design ethos of reuse. Proceeds of this effort benefit Focus: HOPE, helping expand construction apprenticeship programs that offer Detroit residents training, credentials, and pathways to economic mobility.
“Milwaukee Tool is committed to supporting the skilled trades,” said Justin Ross, senior national account manager. “Partnering with Bo and Focus: HOPE helps us deliver on that commitment with real, visible impact.”
Shepherd echoed that sentiment, noting that her work often reimagines old materials for new purposes.
“This piece reminds me that craftsmanship and community impact come from the same source — putting your hands to good use,” she said.
Crystal Clear Vision
A second collaboration highlighted the intersection of high-performance building technology and glass artistry. Michigan-based LuxWall, a pioneer of Transparent Insulation, partnered with glass artist April Wagner of Epiphany Studios to create a hard hat sculpted entirely from molten glass. The piece reflects light, resilience, and transformation — qualities Wagner said mirror the spirit of the initiative. Proceeds will benefit EcoWorks Detroit.
“EcoWorks trains Detroiters for careers that make our city more sustainable,” said Briana DuBose, executive director of EcoWorks Detroit. “This collaboration shows how art and innovation can work together to inspire a sustainable, more equitable future.”
“As a glass artist,” said Wagner, “I’m fascinated by how something fragile can become strong through fire. That transformation felt like the perfect metaphor for what this initiative represents: creating opportunity, resilience, and beauty from hard work.”
Metal, Grit, and Craft
Carhartt’s collaboration with Detroit metal artist Josh Welton of Brown Dog Welding rounded out this year’s trio. Their fully welded metal hard hat pays homage to Detroit’s industrial backbone and the grit that defines skilled trades work. Proceeds will support the welding department at Randolph Career & Technical Center, helping provide hands-on training and access to highdemand welding careers.
Welton, who has long blended art and trade in his practice, said the project “feels like home because it’s about showing young people that being creative and building a career can come from the same place.”
Kerrie Mitchell, president and CEO, Detroit Public Schools Foundation, which accepts funds on behalf of Randolph, believes Detroit’s future is in the hands of DPSCD students.
“Support from partners like Carhartt and Sachse Construction turns classrooms into launchpads for lifelong careers and reinforces the DPSCD Foundation’s mission to connect students with workforce-ready opportunities.”
The initiative continues to build momentum each year. In 2024, artists Olivia Guterson, Nicole Jarecz, and India Solomon designed hard hats benefiting organizations that support mentorship, stability, and economic independence for young women. The previous year saw collaborations with Downtown Boxing Gym, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, and The Konnection — showcasing how art can amplify community empowerment and education.
Hard Hats for Detroit is part of Sachse’s broader commitment to strengthening opportunities for Detroit youth. Other workforce development efforts led by the construction management and general contracting firm include the Sachse Construction Academy, which has provided hands-on skilled-trades experiences to over 5,500 Detroit high school students since its inception in 2016, and a partnership with Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan to operate the Sachse Construction Skilled Trades Career Center, a dedicated space that introduces students to construction careers through interactive simulations and real-world learning experiences.
Across every initiative, one simple but enduring truth remains: building a stronger city starts with investing in people. When young Detroiters gain access to training, mentorship, and real pathways into the trades, the entire industry becomes stronger, more resilient, and better equipped for the future.