Deerfield, NH - Clay artists from around New Hampshire and nearby states are ready to build a new community wood-fired kiln after years of fundraising and groundwork.

New Hampshire Potters Guild members fired the old kiln for the last time May 10 to 12. A Last Stoke Party and Fundraiser was held at the site of the kiln on May 12.

In the spirit of an old-fashioned barn raising, volunteers will tear down the well-used old kiln and begin construction of the new beginning May 31, continuing every weekend through June. Belinda Bodnar and Eric Maglio, who designed the kiln, lead the project. Potters of all ages and levels of experience are signing up to help and learn about kiln-building. There are spaces for additional volunteers for weekends beginning June 7, with a sign-up at nhpottersguild.org/woodkilnproject.

Collaboration is a tradition with the NHPG. After potter Rudy Houck’s death in 1998, his widow, Alberta, donated his gas-fired kiln to the Guild. In 2004 Guild members moved and repurposed the bricks for a wood-fired kiln in Northwood. Guild members moved the kiln and rebuilt it on Al Jaeger’s property at 20 Perry Rd., Deerfield in 2008.

“Two big boulders and a fine stone wall mark the beginning of a 1/2 mile dirt road through deepwoods into a marsh, birds, frogs, more stone walls, and finally a high field. By the time you get there your mind set has changed and you are ready. Surroundings matter,” observes master potter Al Jaeger.

The old kiln has been fired 4-6 times a year with crews ranging from 5-25 people. Both experienced potters and novices work together to load the kiln and stoke it with wood every 5-10 minutes around the clock for about 48 hours.

“There is nothing better than the long dark night shift with a dirty, sweaty partner to create a friendship,” agree Al Jaeger and local clay artist Don Williams. Many potters have experienced wood-firing at the NHPG Community Kiln, including students from local colleges and high schools.

The goal is to bring it to a temperature of 2381 F. At this high temperature, the ash from the fire melts onto the pots, forming a glaze or enhancing an applied glaze with unique results. During the firing, crews cut up, split and stack wood for future firings. After the kiln cools days later, everyone returns to unload the pots, clean and prepare the kiln for the next firing.

Al Jaeger captures the essence of wood-firing as a community: “We hardly notice how our lives are pre-empted by technology. The loss of decision-making - the essence of creativity - hurts to the core of our souls. But we can dig clay from the earth, form it in our own hands, and fire it with wood cut from the land. Even better, we can do it together at the NH Potters Guild Community Kiln.”

The roots of NHPG began in the 1950s with Viveka Heino, energized 15-20 years later by Gerry Williams. Today, the NH Potters’ Guild, with the motto “Fellowship - Collaboration - Encouragement,” is a unique network of people who are passionate about pottery and excited to share their knowledge about all aspects of working with clay, including wood-firing.

Current chair of the Guild, Lauren Morrocco, describes her experience, “As a young potter, loneliness weighed on me after graduating from college. Suddenly the resources and community at my fingertips were no longer available. I struggled to find that again. I found what I was looking for in the NH Potters Guild. As a new member, I immediately signed myself up for events and fundraisers. I was energized by the camaraderie and fellowship of the other artists, and I started to feel a sense of belonging. Shortly after, I was offered the position of Chair of the Guild and excitedly accepted, hoping to bring others into the organization. Since becoming Chair, I’ve learned so much about how to bring people together through the Arts and ultimately to build community. I look forward to more memorable experiences with this incredible group of artists and educators.”