Peter's Valley Craft Center is situated in the Northwestern corner of New Jersey, in the Appalachian Mountains near the Delaware River. It was a small town whose residents were forced to move out due to a plan in the 1930s to dam the Delaware and turn the area into a reservoir. Those residents' loss was the art worlds gain as the town was turned into a crafts center in the 1970s. Early on one of the first and largest anagamas in North America was built there. It is an institution in the wood fire community, and it was a real honor to be invited to lead the '07 firing. It was actually 2 workshops: a five-day-making pots for the firing workshop, and the loading and firing workshop. The ceramics department is run by Bruce Dehnert, a fantastic guy. A very gifted potter in his own right, Bruce's most amazing attribute was his ability to manage the needs of all the quirky personalities who pass through there. Every week a different artist and his or her students arrived with their demands. His laid back friendly, and very funny demeanor, belies a man with a fierce drive to get things done both correctly and on time. He was helped by 2 lovely assistants: Danny Crump, a wonder-kid of a potter/student from Utah, and Cory Beardsley, a very nice ceramic sculptor from Maryland. They were so sweet and at my beck and call throughout the workshop. But what really makes a successful workshop is the chemistry of the students, and we had a great bunch. From 17-year-old Auco (somehow pronounced Oka) through 70 something Alwin, there wasn't a bad attitude among them. The Gang from Texas: Jim, Terry, and Linda; making great pots and having fun. A few Valley regulars: Dan, Beth, William, and Sue, were such positive welcoming souls. And Stephanie, a high school art teacher/ gorilla artist (She clandestinely makes sculptures out of blocks at Home Depot, and now banned from said store on most of the east coast). It was a very laid back but driven group. It was so much easier and enjoyable then I ever expected. We just made pots all day and into the night. We ate together, drank together, we became very close in a short period of time. I made what I make, explaining to people techniques and aesthetics as I went. All the students were capable at making pots, but seemed to want me to help them 'loosen up'. It was very gratifying for me to see people take my influence and apply it to their pots. After 5 days we had a lot of pots. And a lot of good memories. Visits by area potters: Jeff Shapiro, Jack Troy, Kristin Muller were also very nice. Pete also made it up a few times. We went straight to glazing and loading. Half of the first group left and a new group of students arrived. Some very talented young potters joined for the firing, bringing bisqued pots with them. We worked at a breakneck speed loading the kiln in 2 days. Also my old assistant in Japan, Gavin Noyes, came out from Utah as my assistant for the firing. It was great to see him after so many years and he fit in beautifully with the group. Another huge driving force, especially during the loading and firing, was Charlie Lid, one of Bruce's assistants from a few years ago. A great guy who now teaches at Rutgers High School. He had fired the kiln a number of times and knew exactly what had to be done, anticipating every need. A couple others worth mentioning were Andrea and William, both of whom were on their 3rd or 4th firing and were a huge help. It was interesting but difficult for me to have 15 people to find work for. I'm used to 2-4 people helping me load. Bruce was marvelous at keeping everyone busy with no one feeling left out. After bricking up the door we lit it almost immediately. We had divided into 4 teams of 4 working 4 hour shifts. Within 24 hours cones were bending at the front. We side stoked for most of the rest of the 3 and a half day firing. It was a lot of fun. We made pizza in the little wood burning pizza kiln, Sue Katulak who was in the first class but not the firing and had some great pieces in the kiln, brought up a gourmet spread. It finished so quickly. Opening the kiln was a bit disappointing. Most of the front hadn't reached temp. A bit shocking really, but as we moved back there were a lot of stunning pots. Most everyone seemed pleased with most of their work, if not all. Firing a kiln like that is an adventure. A few crusty pots aside, I'd say the experience I had there was one of the most fulfilling of my career. To develop such a deep bond with people over such a short period of time through clay and fire; if I were religious I'd say I am blessed. 'Thank you' to everyone involved in a great couple of weeks.
Me	Linda and Stefanie
Dan	Dan's Feet
Jim	AuCo
Susan	William
Bruce explaining something
Danny and Charlie loading	Alwin
Loaded kiln	Catherine, Cory, Ariel, and Charlie
Lighting the kiln
Portal		Reach
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