Clay Harvest

EVENT DATES AND TIMES:

Saturday, November 27 (11:00 am – 4:00 pm)

EVENT COST:

Free

EVENT PLACE:

in the Union Project side yard, adjacent to the new Kiln Shelter

Union Project is thrilled to announce a new outdoor clay celebration happening this fall. Clay Harvest will occur in the Union Project side yard, adjacent to the new Kiln Shelter, on Saturday, November 27, 2021, from 11am-4pm.
Visitors to the first-ever Clay Harvest can look forward to:
Raku Firing. Raku is an ancient pottery technique where pots are taken from the kiln while still glowing red hot, then placed in a combustible material, such as sawdust or newspaper. Visitors to Clay Harvest will have the opportunity to paint pieces before they get fired. Raku is an exciting technique because it’s quick, fiery, and the results are unpredictable.

Gas Kiln Opening. Glazes react differently in a reduction atmosphere of a gas kiln versus the oxidation atmosphere of an electric kiln. Notable artists, including Justin Rothshank and Mac McCusker, are contributing work to be fired in our new Bailey gas kiln for this special event Kiln Opening. The completed work will stay on display throughout the event for visitors to see up close.

Local Artists Sale. Shop locally handmade ceramic items from Janet Watkins Ceramics⁠, Meghan Burke Studio⁠, Feat of Clay Studio⁠, Tomcik Pottery, Mary Martin⁠, Bryce Hemington⁠, Will Jackson III, and Deavron “The Urban Explorer” Dailey.⁠

Family-Friendly Hands-on Activity

Tasty Treats from Ineffable Càphê

Masks and physical distancing are required.
The event is, in part, a de facto ribbon cutting for the Kiln Shelter that Union Project broke ground on during the summer of 2019. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic sidelined earlier plans to celebrate its completion. Accordingly, all staff, artists, volunteers, and visitors must wear masks and adhere to physical distancing guidelines.
This new facility relocates the old and deteriorating kiln shelter from the back alleyway to the side yard. It enables the organization to deepen its support of aspiring, emerging, and established ceramicists, and offer more arts education programming to surrounding neighborhoods.
The new shelter can house up to three kilns and includes a covered classroom area, a loading dock with ample room for loading and unloading, and ramps to the parking area and outdoor courtyard space. The new kiln shelter improves safety conditions by adding a new ventilation hood system, a metal mesh surround that can be locked during and in between firings, and improved lighting so that firings, classes, demonstrations, and events can be held at night, year-round.
Clay Harvest is supported by the Fine Foundation and Jendoco Construction Corporation. Union Project is supported in part by the Allegheny Regional Asset District.
Support for The Kiln Shelter Project is provided by the Eden Hall Foundation, the Richard King Mellon Foundation, and an Anonymous Foundation.