NCECA Pre-Conference Firings at CCF

Cub Creek Foundation is a small Ceramic Residency Program in Appomattox, VA founded by John Jessiman in 2002. It resides on a 100 acre farm with studios and several kilns. At 84 years of age and over 60 years of developing educational opportunities for emerging artists, John has scheduled a pre-conference wood firing prior to the 2024 NCECA conference.

Cub Creek has invited students from programs that lack access to wood and salt/soda firings, past residents, and a few professional potters. We will be firing 2 (maybe 3) different wood kilns, a 3-chamber Noborigama and 1 Anagama. Participants will have the opportunity to put work in each of them, as well as learn the intricacies of each firing method. As the kilns are loaded and fired, participants will be educated on the entirety of the wood firing process, and will be able to collaborate with an incredible group of both early career and established artists. At the conclusion of NCECA, participants will return to the creek to unload, discuss results, and celebrate the firings. With our proximity to this year's NCECA (we are just a short 1.5 hour drive away), this event will provide a rare opportunity for Cub Creek to open up to the broader ceramics community, and to expand our goals of education, development, and inclusivity within the ceramic arts.

The Cub Creek Foundation is seeking $10,000 to cover the costs of the current AIR to attend NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) in Richmond this year as well as 20 cords of wood, glazes, food for several days of firing, firing gear, and some treats for a post firing celebration on Saturday, March 23rd. The residents and staff of Cub Creek will be making cups for the firings as thank you's. The first 100 people who donate $50 or more will receive one of the cups from these firings to show our appreciation for your support. Please also feel free to check out another part of our fundraiser on our Instagram (@cubcreekfoundation) that includes more pottery!

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated and will help us bring this event to fruition. Thank you for your support, and for helping further Cub Creek’s goals in promoting education and inclusivity in the ceramics community.