UM's Anagama Kiln Heats Up For Artwork

By: Anleia Nance

Professors and their students in the art department felt the burn as they heated up the Anagama Kiln, a rare occurrence that attracts a lot of attention from many, including internationally. The lighting of the kiln took place inside the woods off campus. For almost a hundred straight hours, the group loaded fourteen quartz of splinted wood inside the kiln, and stoked the fire.

Student Handling the Flames

The kiln heated up to 2,400 degrees, and using a pair of 10 ft long tongs, the group inserted their art work inside the fire and let it sit. For four and a half days, students took shifts to contribute with the event.The kiln is fired to replicate a technique called Raku, in which pieces are pulled out of a hot kiln and treated. However, the art work will be introduced to chemicals for a different effect.

About eight universities participated in the event, and despite doing a lot of work, everyone enjoyed themselves. " People are going to tell a joke, or they are going to do this and that." said Art professor Dr. Scott Meyer. "It opens a door for Montevallo that accesses all these great people and their ideas."

Dr. Scott Meyers Loading the Kiln

Mainly, many enjoyed watching the door to kiln open up and revealed their work. "You're seeing pieces in there while there's fire enveloping them." said student Andrew Glover. " It's really interesting and it's really fun."

Students Filling the Gaps of theKiln

Although they do not know what to expect, the crew is hopeful that the art will come out to be beautiful masterpieces.