Fired Up!

This is Lloyd Hamovit, a friend and fellow potter, proudly displaying a cartload of ware that just rolled out of the inaugural firing of his downdraft, gas-fired, reduction kiln yesterday. A private high-school ceramics teacher for 20 years, Lloyd is currently the studio director and founder of 2 Rivers Ceramic Studio, a brand new, fully equipped, 2,000 square foot facility and ceramic artists’ independent workspace in Amesbury, MA. The “unveiling” was witnessed by a group of potters anxiously standing by, waiting to examine the collection of experimental pieces that went through a complicated 15-hour firing process. The results were mostly considered a success, especially for a first-round performance. Careful note taking and graphing of hot spots, ramp schedules and levels of oxidation will help determine more predictable results with subsequent firings in the future.

The 40-cubic foot Bailey kiln utilizes state-of-the-art technology, including a high limit controller to prevent going over temperature, an automatic shut-off feature, and two separate chimneys, one for exhaust out the back end, and another that serves as a residual hood over the entire unit carrying away noxious fumes from the area. Below are a few samples of yesterday’s fanfare, fresh from the oven. On the left and still sitting on the kiln shelves is some of Lloyd’s work, typical of his whimsical and functional forms. On the right are a few of my vases, cups and bowls, glazed mainly in Shino and Winokur, two of Lloyd’s favorites that are formulated to work well under a variety of circumstances. For more information on classes, workspace, and upcoming events at the studio, please visit the following links: www.2riversceramic.com, The Amesbury News and www.lloydsceramics.com.