Artist statement…

Anagama Kiln: In 2000-01 I built a 250 cu. ft. Japanese style wood fired anagama kiln at mystudio in Juliette. The kiln holds 500-600 average sized pots and is fired for four or five
days continuously in order to create unique natural ash glaze surfaces on the clay.

Each summer since 2001 a community of approximately 20 potters and friends from Macon, Athens, Milledgeville and Atlanta have fired this kiln. Firing large wood kilns is new to all of us and we are learning as we go. Research includes testing clays and glazes for the wood atmosphere and modifications to the kiln design to improve performance, along with the investigation of forms which respond well to wood firing.

Eventually, two firings per year are planned. I hope that the kiln and its firings will continue to be a focus for the clay community in Middle Georgia affording not only an alternative firing opportunity, but a chance to share ideas, information and about ceramics.