The “Earth, Fire and Ash” exhibition, which will be presented in two chapters, is a celebration of woodfired ceramics showcasing the growing community of woodfired ceramic artists in the Mendocino area. Chapter one of this exhibition, September 30 to November 17, focuses on four kilns in the area; several pieces from each kiln from nine artists will be exhibited along with information on the different approaches and techniques employed at each kiln. Chapter two, November 25 to December 30, will feature work straight out of the kilns fired in Mendocino during the Mendocino Art Center’s November Second Saturday reception and in other participating kilns during the fall. The exhibition will display the bounty and variation created from a single firing as well as celebrate the start of woodfiring season in fall. Also on exhibit, Mendocino Open Paint Out Featured Artists Exhibit, through October 30, with paintings by Maeve Croghan, Ryan Jensen and Carolyn Lord. Second Saturday Gallery Receptions 5pm–7pm Free Admission October 8: A night with local woodfire artists sharing their stories about how they got into woodfired ceramics and what it means to them, followed by a Q & A, and the opportunity to talk to the artists about their work. November 12: Witness wood kilns in action. See the work in the exhibition and see how it’s made. From 6:30pm-7:30pm, participate in the kiln shut down ceremony, a final stoke and blessing of the firing and works in the kiln. The shutting down of the kiln is one of the single most critical parts of the woodfiring process. The work in the kiln will be unloaded and installed into the gallery for the second chapter of this exhibition, opening November 25.
