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“Of all man’s arts, ceramics deals most directly with earth, water, air and fire…elements the ancients considered atomic essentials of our world. Fire is the key. Fire gives clay hardness and permanence. Without a knowledge of the action of fire, the potter’s craft would not exist. Nor would exist those infinitely numerous shards and sherds with which we piece together the material and spiritual record of early human history.” – Gulf Coast Kiln Walk
To celebrate the 20th Annual WoodStoke Festival of the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk, the Pensacola State College Switzer Gallery hosted a reception on Tuesday, Feb. 4, to showcase the PSC & Gulf Coast Kiln Walk: Connected exhibition featuring artworks by esteemed master ceramic artists from across the region, nation and world.
Three distinguished Gulf Coast ceramicists – Micah Cain, PSC Assistant Professor of Art, Ceramics; Maria Spies, Educator at Eastern Shore Art Center and studio potter; and Steven Dark, CEO of Pottery Central World Headquarters and resident artist – led a panel discussion on the ancient art of wood-fired kiln ceramics in the Switzer Lecture Hall.
Moderated by Gallery Coordinator Chelsea Weaver, the discussion explored the artistry and technique behind wood-fired kilns. Panelists fielded audience questions from the audience and shared their experiences with this time-honored ceramic process, encouraging all to attend the 20th Annual WoodStoke Pottery Festival and Kiln Opening at 7507 Buckeye Dr. Navarre, FL 32566 on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Connected exhibition is free to the public at the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for Visual Arts, Bldg. 15 (Switzer Gallery) through March 7, 2025. The collection also features works by renowned artists such as Akio Takamori, Masayoshi Shimizu, Don Reitz, Gerry Williams, and more.
Learn more about the Gulf Coast Kiln Walk by visiting https://gulfcoastkilnwalk.org/