The dream that is Fire & Earth Fine Pottery has had many stepping stones over the years. For my first studio, my mother
graciously donated to me, a small section of her garage. Then came a 6x8 storage room that a sympathetic landlord allowed me to use.
Next was a 20x20 cinderblock building in North Charleston, my first true studio. It had neither heating nor cooling, nor running water,
and only two bare bulbs in the ceiling for light, but I loved it. I was selling my work at the market downtown, but all
the while I was dreaming of a place where people could come see my work, and I could offer classes, a real pottery
shop like I'd seen growing up on the coast of Maine. I recently came across some old sketches, drawings I did
during slow times on the market that detailed how I would one day lay out my future studio and gallery.
Fire & Earth is about
a passion for clay, and creativity. We aren't a ''paint on your own pottery'' place. In our classes we create and design the
pots from raw clay, spinning on a potters wheel. At Fire &Earth we are true to the craft of clay. I don't use store bought, pre-made
glazes. I personally make every one of the glazes we use here. I built the kiln we fire our pots in, and every time i look at it,
i feel a sense of pride for having built it myself, and i feel a connectedness with the process of pottery. That's what we offer to
all of our students, and it's what comes across in my work. I truly love and respect the art and craft of clay. If you'd like to experience
those feelings too, join one of our classes, I know you'll feel right at home.
-kris
