WAUKESHA – For the fourth time since it was built in 1997, the wood-fired kiln located at the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha Field Station will be called into action. The fire will be started in the 450-cubic-foot kiln on Wednesday, April 19, and, with continual stoking, reach its greatest intensity, exceeding 2300 degrees Fahrenheit, by Saturday. It will maintain that temperature for 6 to 12 hours. Cool down will last from Sunday, April 23, until the ceramics are unloaded on April 29. The public is invited to come out to see the dramatic sight. Jeff Noska from the UW-Waukesha art department and Christopher Davis-Benavides from the UW-Milwaukee art department will oversee the project, just as they did the building of the kiln. Not only will work by artists from local universities be marked with the distinctive and intriguing wood-kiln ash glaze, but members of the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture also are collaborating and contributing this spring.The only university-owned kiln of this type in Wisconsin, the “anagama” kiln was developed in Japan and Korea in the 16th and 17th centuries. The technique imbues special design features on the ceramics that both surprise and delight artists.The project offers many rewards to the participants. They learn about the history of the kiln, a different technique for firing ceramics, and the physics required to do it correctly. They also learn the importance of communication with their comrades. Above all, they learn about aesthetics.
The Field Station is located at 1234 South Waterville Road, Oconomowoc, just south of Hwy. 18.
