Master Kiln Builder visits Shadbolt By Sharon Reay

On May 26, Masakazu Kusakabe, world renowned kiln builder
and potter from Miharu, Japan, returned to the Shadbolt Centre for
the Arts. Masakazu had designed and built the Shadbolt's Ombu
wood/soda kiln in 2001 as a millennium grant project in 2001—the
world's first "smokeless" wood kiln. He has reproduced this design
in numerous international locations since then and was in North
America to build kilns, exhibit his work and lecture in California
and at Harvard University in Boston. A small window of opportunity
arose, which allowed him to schedule in some maintenance on our
Ombu kiln and a wood firing, between these other commitments.

During his stay Masakazu kept very busy. Assisted by Shadbolt
Centre's ceramic technicians, Jay MacLennan and Linda Doherty, he
repaired the floor of the kiln, redesigned the inside (moving the bag
wall) for more efficient firing, gave the outside a facelift (with hand
painted angels now on every side) and even installed a bread oven.
The latter provided freshly baked bread, pizza and even cinnamon
buns (thanks to Celia Rice-Jones) to the stokers during their firing
shifts and everything was delicious. He also took some time to visit
the regular Shadbolt ceramic classes—doing throwing demonstrations
and creating ink paintings which he distributed to staff and students.
One evening, he gave a lecture, showing images and talking about his
home, international workshops he has led and the kilns he has built.

Glazing, loading and firing of the Ombu kiln took place May 31 to
June 2. Those participating included Sam Kwan of Capilano University,

Masakazu Kusakabe stoking the kiln.

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Photo by Linda Doherty.

Leon Popik from Emily Carr and David Lloyd of Kwanten. (We at
the Shadbolt Centre are very grateful to David and his wife Maite,
by the way, who hosted Masakazu during his time here.) The firing
itself finished earlier than expected, with the second chamber reaching
temperature much easier than it has in the past, due to more even heat
distribution in the kiln.

During the cooling period, Masakazu travelled to Saltspring Island
to visit Gary Cherneff and, from there, went on to see Gari Whelon
and other potters in Nanaimo. His trip there was well-timed, as he was
present for the unloading of the very first firing in the newly finished
Tozan kiln,

He returned to the Shadbolt Centre for the unloading of our wood
firing on Sunday, June 7. The students were very pleased with the
results of the firing. We are now looking forward to doing a soda firing
in July and another wood/soda firing in mid-September. The July
firing is full, but you can check out the details of the September firing
on our website at: as of July 20.

CERAMICS WORKSHOP

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Greek island paradise Skopelos, Wiggaatra

Sept. 11 - 26, 2009 - Skopelos Foundation for the Arts
Info & registration: 604.737.2636, www.suzybirstein.com

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COLUMBIA Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - July/August 2009 9