Heat Work Blog November 12, 2013
Although the temperature is in the twenties tonight, the
pottery is a balmy sixty degrees thanks to the communal efforts of potters Ron
Deaver, Robbie Teasdale, and Clarence Hayes. Ron, master scavenger, supplied
the “repurposed” foam insulation; Robbie spent long hours cutting and fitting
it into the ceiling; and Clarence cut and helped nail the strips. So the
potters are warm at last. The fact that there hands are always in water or cold
clay, makes the heated work space kinder on the hands.
Clarence is going out this evening to rewire the electric kiln.
Ten years old, the elements burnt up on the last bisque firing. Between the
three potters, there are olive oil jars, many cups and tumblers, bowls, flower
pots, bottles big and small, flasks, plates and candle holders for Christmas.
Art is not only the final product on the day the kiln opens.
Art is the shape of the day for Robbie. He builds the fire when he arrives in
the morning, and Clarence keeps it in the evening while he does his “second
shift” after remodeling and building. Ron works before or after his third
shift. Art is sometimes the place you go to find yourself. We anticipate the
first firing, but for some time now, we anticipate the next leap in our imaginations
and in our craftsmanship.
Bobtown Arts. Inc. became official this month, and there’s
work to do in establishing it as a community pottery studio.
The sky is clear and the moon is sharp—maybe on such a night
soon we’ll see flames from the kiln shooting up toward the stars.
Vicky Hayes
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