<b>Millbrook Arts on Fire!</b>
On September 26, 2010, the Millbrook community gathered next to Holbrook Arts Center to watch the wood-fired kiln in action. The new wood-fired kiln not only allows ceramics classes to get a more hands-on experience, but it also supports Millbrook's mission of environmental stewardship.
Art teacher Dave Kaufmann first initiated the idea of the kiln two years ago. With the help of Ted Lindsay, Marc Kaufmann, Bill Hardy, Geoff Boras, Katie White, and Ben Eberle, construction on the kiln began in early August. From the funding of the project through their own pottery sales to the designing and assembling of the kiln, Kaufmann and his crew were involved in the process every step of the way. When asked of the benefits of a wood-fired kiln, Kaufmann noted, "they are fun and exciting to fire, and they produce interesting and beautiful results." He is most excited to give his students a greater understanding of the firing process through the hands-on work.
The new kiln is called The Manabigama, which means "beautfiul learning kiln" in Japanese. It is a smaller version of an Anagama style kiln, a design that has existed in Japan, Korea, and China for thousands of years. Unique to the Manabigama kiln is the passive damper system, which allows the fuel to burn extremely hot and clean and with very little smoke output. The kiln can reach up to 2300F, the same temperature as the gas-fired kiln, using only dry wood as a fuel source. The wood kiln can also fire twice as much work with three fourths cord of wood than the gas kiln can with sixty gallons of propane.
After an extremely successful first firing of the kiln, the arts department looks forward to the next firing to be held later in the fall.
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The new kiln is called The Manabigama, which means "beautfiul learning kiln" in Japanese. It is a smaller version of an Anagama style kiln, a design that has existed in Japan, Korea, and China for thousands of years. Unique to the Manabigama kiln is the passive damper system, which allows the fuel to burn extremely hot and clean and with very little smoke output. The kiln can reach up to 2300F, the same temperature as the gas-fired kiln, using only dry wood as a fuel source. The wood kiln can also fire twice as much work with three fourths cord of wood than the gas kiln can with sixty gallons of propane.
After an extremely successful first firing of the kiln, the arts department looks forward to the next firing to be held later in the fall.
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