Along the anagama’s 12-foot chamber, ashes fly, flames dance and eyes are sure to widen with the beauty of Clayton Amemiya’s pottery.
Along the anagama’s 12-foot chamber, ashes fly, flames dance and eyes are sure to widen with the beauty of Clayton Amemiya’s pottery.
For more than 40 years, Amemiya has drawn on the elements of earth, wind and fire to perfect this traditional Japanese art form. Now, Volcano Art Center invites you to join him and discover the magic of his anagama wood fire kiln pottery.
Amemiya will open his garden and studio to a small group of people during the peak of his wood firing in this unique kiln.
The tour of his studio will allow for an up close peek into the amazing and time-consuming process of wood firing. It also will be an excellent opportunity to preview his solo show in the VAC Gallery, which opens July 26.
The tour is scheduled from noon-2 p.m. Friday, June 6, at Amemiya’s studio north of Hilo.
The cost is $55, and includes a small tea cup from the artist. Reservations are required.
For more information or to make reservations, contact Volcano Art Center at 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.
Clayton’s anagama kiln is essentially a 12-foot long tunnel, about 4 1/2 feet tall and 4 1/2 feet wide. Hot flames are drawn into the firebox through the chamber and out the flue.
Even though it takes four days to tend the fire, the anagama allows Amemiya to get much wider variations in glaze and surface than he could with a gas kiln. He uses Big Island woods, ohia, kiawe, koa and lichee, to fire his kiln.