Spotsylvania County resident Charles Shoemake wanted to build a lasting gift to wife Ellen, who is a potter. But as the couple worked on a wood-fired kiln on their farm, his health declined. He passed away in May 2012, the project unfinished.
Ellen Shoemake was determined to see the dream realized. She turned to the University of Mary Washington and Assistant Professor of Art Jon McMillan, an expert in building and firing kilns.
For two semesters, McMillan and a group of his students made trips to the Shoemake farm, contributing countless hours to the project. Through their work, the students learned the principles and practicalities of an ancient method of firing pottery.
At last the kiln was completed and filled with works by McMillan and his students. For research, they tried different combinations of materials – in all, seven kinds of clay and 50 glazes.
For 36 hours in early May, McMillan and students including Christina Bendo ’13, Trey Foster ’13, Anna Moulis ’13, Katie Sleyman ’13, and Michelle Howell ’14 fired the kiln using donated scrap wood from a nearby sawmill. They took turns napping in a garage apartment Ellen Shoemake made available, and they fueled their vigil with generous helpings of her chicken enchiladas and pinto beans.
Days later, they gathered to unload the kiln and admire the finished pottery.
“It’s rare for students to have the opportunity to participate in every aspect of this complex process,” McMillan said. “Their investment of time and effort paid off in an exciting experience, a wealth of knowledge, and some beautiful ceramic art.”
Click on the photos to read more.
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- Michelle Howell stokes the kiln as Assistant Professor of Art Jon McMillan operates the firebox door.
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- McMillan works with Katie Sleyman to build a wooden arch form.
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- The glow from the firing is seen through planned, adjustable gaps in the bricks.
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- Christina Bendo (in tie-dyed shirt) and Katie Sleyman (on ladder) place kiln bricks.
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- Finished pottery demonstrates a variety of forms and glazes.
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- On unloading day, potters examine their works.
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- Some finished pieces turned out exactly as hoped.
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- But as Trey Foster discovers, things don’t always go as planned.
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- Finished works line the shelves of the kiln before unloading.
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- Students gather for their first look inside.
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- Bendo takes a turn stoking the kiln, as the internal temperature climbs toward 2,380 degrees.
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- Every hour, students record the rate of temperature climb, change in air supply, and other observations.
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- As dark falls, a figure is silhouetted against the glow of the kiln.
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- A nearby sawmill provided scraps of pine and hardwoods, which students hauled, cut to length, and stacked in preparation for the first firing. They prepared much of the wood in advance but still had some to work on while the kiln heated. Pictured are Foster, Anna Moulis, and Michelle Howell.