A week of wood-fired ceramics starts June 1

The International Woodfire Conference takes place June 8-11 in Star, N.C., with events like a “Masterpieces from North Carolina and South Carolina” display and a pot pop-up. But before woodfire ceramists from around the globe convene in Star (in the center of the state), three pre-conferences take place in Seagrove, Eastern N.C. and the WNC mountains, respectively. The local events — open to both potters and those who simply appreciate the art form — run from Thursday, June 1 to Wednesday, June 7, with a series of exhibitions, receptions, sales, studio tours and demonstrations.

From a press release:

More than 60 artists come to the Asheville area to fire nine kilns as part of the Woodfire NC conference. Most people are familiar with the electric kilns of elementary school. These are not those. These kilns require many days of stoking and achieve temperatures greater than 2,200 degrees. These kilns are how the potters of North Carolina have been creating functional wares for hundreds of years.

The week of fire kicks off with a reception at Blue Spiral gallery at 5 p.m. on June 1. The exhibition, “Connected by Fire” brings together nineteen artists from five countries. The work shows the variety of marks fire creates on the clay surface. Like any language, each artist speaks with an individual accent, influenced by their region and their own unique history, bringing depth and diversity to the conversation.

More of a locavore? Explore work by nearly two dozen Western North Carolina woodfire artists at 6 p.m. on June 2 at the Asheville Area Arts Council on Coxe Avenue. This survey shows how these potters influence each other’s art as many of them work together. For example, Akira Satake will show work with his apprentices Micah Thanhauser and Matt Weigleitner. In other instances, collaboration leads to distinctive results. Josh Copus, Amanda Holloman-Cook, Thanhauser and Weigleitner frequently fire together, collaboratively tending the 27-foot-long kiln, but the character of each piece results from the artist’s hand and his or her manipulation of the flame.

Josh Copus is the WNC pre-conference organizer as well as an organizer and panelist of the main conference. He’s also hosting a PreHEAT invitation firing (not open to the public) with fellow ceramic artists Ben Richardson, Alix Brodeur, Perry Haas, Kevin Lips, Tom Alward, Simon Levin, Joshua Kuensting, Sandy Lockwood, Amanda Holloman-Cook, Micah Thanhauser, Matt Wegleitner, Will Dickert, Michael Hunt and Naomi Dalglish. Here’s what is open to the public:

Woodfire events:

• Thursday, June 1, 5-7 p.m. — “Connected by Fire,” an invitational show of woodfire ceramics
Reception at Blue Spiral gallery, 38 Biltmore Ave.
Exhibition runs through June 23

• Friday, June 2, 5-8 p.m. — “Current Effects: Contemporary Woodfiring in Western North Carolina,” a survey of local talent
Reception at Asheville Area Arts Council, 207 Coxe Ave.
Exhibition runs through June 23

• Saturday, June 3, 6-8 p.m. — “LINEAGE: Celebrating Rock Creek Pottery”
Reception at Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery, Moore Fine Arts Building, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill
Exhibition runs through August 12

• Saturday, June 3, 6-8 p.m. — “CERAMICA POPOLARE” Italian wood fired folk pots
Reception at Mars Hill University’s Weizenblatt Gallery, Moore Fine Arts Building, 79 Cascade St., Mars Hill
Exhibition runs through June 11

• Saturday, June 3, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, June 4, noon-5 p.m. — Matt Jones Pottery Kiln Opening Home sale and studio tour
209 Big Sandy Mush Road

•  Sunday, June 4, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2-4:30 p.m.  — Artist demonstrations at Odyssey ClayWorks, 236 Clingman Ave.

• Sunday, June 4, 5-7 p.m. — River Arts District gallery night Three open studios with receptions:
— Clayspace, “Guest List: An Exhibition of the Mountain PreHeat Invited Artists,” 119 Roberts St.,
— Asheville Ceramics Gallery, 109 Roberts St.
— Gallery Mugen, 191 Lyman St., No. 165

• Wednesday, June 7, 10 a.m.-noon and 3-5 p.m. — Artist demonstrations at Odyssey ClayWorks, 236 Clingman Ave.

• Wednesday, June 7, 1 p.m. — “Connected by Fire,” an invitational show of woodfire ceramics.
Artist talk by Eric Knoche, Kazuya Ishida and Ben Richardson Blue Spiral gallery, 38 Biltmore Ave.
Exhibition runs through June 23