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About Stoked!:
In the Earth and Fire intensive with renowned artist Ken Matsuzaki, students completed a four-day wood-firing hosted by Noah Hughey-Commers in his anagama kiln. The wood-firing took place from May 28-31, 2024 at Muddy Creek Pottery in central Virginia. At the kiln site, students worked with Ken, Noah, and Muddy Creek's firing team to complete a 4-day wood-firing. This traditional firing method involves manually firing a kiln with wood as the source of fuel. Ken's unique firing methods involve using pine charcoal at the end of the firing for dramatic surface results. As student assistants, participants in the workshop completed 14 hours of firing as they learned how the kiln works, what's happening inside, and how the firing itself can change the finished results. Exhibiting Artists:
K. Sarah Alickovic • Lexi Merrick Boiro • Susan Cohen • Connor Czora • Noah Hughey-Commers • Steve LeBoo • Wade Lindsay • Joe McDonald • Alex Newman • Kit Ruseau • Josh Szekely • Nate Wong |
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About Noah Hughey-Commers:
Noah Hughey-Commers was born and raised in the mountains of Nelson County, Virginia, where he now lives and works. As a child, he got to help fire wood kilns with Kevin Crowe at Tye River Pottery, learning to love the mechanics of kilns and their connection to process and making. Later on as a teenager he began making pottery, working with Kevin and later, at Piedmont Virginia Community College with Tom Clarkson. He received a bachelors in English from The University of Mary Washington and afterwards returned for a two year apprenticeship at Tye River. With his study completed, Noah spent a few months in the UK exploring other techniques and pottery styles and then came home to design and build his own studio and kiln. Noah has taught pottery classes and been a consultant on kiln firing. He makes pots and hosts firings for a community of potters who continue to learn about and explore the nuances of wood firing pottery. |
Image courtesy of Noah Hughey-Commers.
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About Ken Matsuzaki:
Ken Matsuzaki is a master ceramic artist born in Tokyo, Japan. He received his degree in Ceramic Art from the Tamagawa University School of Fine Arts in 1972. Upon graduating, Matsuzaki moved to Mashiko for a five-year apprenticeship with Living National Treasure Tatsuzo Shimaoka. Afterward, Matsuzaki established Yuushin-Gama, the kiln at the heart of his current studio practice. While Matsuzaki’s practice is rooted in Mingei philosophy and the Oribe-yaki style, his approach is distinct and contemporary. In some of his more recent work, Matsuzaki has abandoned the wheel. He is handbuilding, cutting away at the clay much as a sculptor would while maintaining the rugged character and energy of the raw clay. |
Image courtesy of Ken Matsuzaki.
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