About the Project
The CAC is excited to announce the next major expansion of the ceramics program and facility! The project centers around the construction of a wood fired kiln, but also includes an expansion of the ceramics studio parking lot and upgrading of the electrical service in the studio.
The new kiln will be a wood fired “train” kiln. A typical firing will take 24-48 hours. The kiln will be the newest addition to the CAC’s comprehensive ceramics facility, designed to maximize exposure to a wide variety of firing techniques for the ceramics community at the CAC and throughout the region. It will offer opportunities for community firings, special workshops with visiting artists, and ongoing classes related to wood fired ceramics. A new kiln shed will be constructed in the yard of the ceramics studio, similar to the existing shed but in the opposite corner. This shed will house the new kiln and a storage area for wood. Potters Guild member and long-time wood firing potter Mark Tyson is leading the project and will oversee operations of the kiln once it is constructed.
The ceramics studio parking area will be increased with the addition of a new gravel parking area extending from the back of the existing parking lot onto a small piece of land owned by the CAC in what was previously a wooded area. This area will provide additional parking as well as access to the drop off point for wood that will come in to be used in the new kiln. The project will also include upgrades to the electric service in the CAC Ceramics studio, intended to increase efficiency and capacity of the electric kilns.
The tentative schedule aims to have the kiln built in the Summer of 2020. If delays occur related to the installation of the parking area and shed construction, the kiln may be built in the Summer of 2021.
Would you like to support the Project?
The project is expected to cost approximately $125,000. A significant portion of the estimated project budget has been funded through an estate gift and the contributions of three very generous donors. We are seeking to raise an additional $25,000 to cover the rest of the project costs.
Gifts of any amount are appreciated. Special benefits are being offered with gifts of the following amounts:
$2000 or above (benefits available to the first 10 donors at this level)
- Participate in the initial firing with the kiln builder
- Receive an original wood fired vessel by Mark Tyson
- Personal tour of Mark’s extensive ceramics collection and home studio.
- The collection includes a tea bowl room and a French Japonist Collection
featuring museum quality work acquired over many years. - Your name included on a plaque on the Wood Kiln shed.
$1000 (benefits available to the first 10 donors at this level)
- Participate in the initial firing with the kiln builder
- Receive a pair of original wood fired tea bowls by Mark Tyson
- Your name included on a plaque on the Wood Kiln shed.
$500 (benefits available to the first 10 donors at this level)
- Receive original wood fired tea bowl by Mark Tyson
- Your name included on a plaque on the Wood Kiln shed.