We are building a MANABIGAMA kiln.
We gratefully offer beautiful gifts of wood fired clay.
Who are We? Tyler Park Center for the Arts is a non-profit community art center with a mission to support artists in a manner that facilitates the sharing of talents through art based educational programs. We foster community engagement with like-minded organizations, schools and individuals. We have a strong base of volunteers who do everything from performing operational functions to baking food for our fund raising events and coffee house.
Learn more about us at www.TylerParkArts.org
![Tyler Park Center for the Arts]()
Introducing
The Tyler Park Kiln Project
MANABIGAMA translates from Japanese as "a beautiful learning kiln"
Designed by potter, John Thies, this type of kiln was chosen for the qualities it lends to the workshop setting. The manabigama is a very efficient kiln, using about 3/4 of a cord of wood to achieve the same beautiful results as traditional firings consuming 3-5 cords of wood. With a 30 cubic foot chamber we can fire lots of artwork, yet this medium sized kiln is not overwhelming for the student new to wood firing. The fired results are sure to please serious professionals proficient at this craft.
Weighing about six tons, this kiln will be a permanent fixture in Tyler State Park, lasting for years and experienced by many. Students from high schools and colleges, professional artists, and adult students will come from all over our region to participate in this oldest form of firing.
With generous support from individuals, and intrigued approval from the State Park Commission and Newtown Township we laid the foundation for this fascinating kiln. We are fortunate to have government entities sharing our belief that this project is a valued addition to the park atmosphere and surrounding communities!
We will be firing up to 2400 degrees by stoking a flame every ten minutes for 12-16 hours. Stoneware and porcelain clays will reach a temperature where they become somewhat molten. It is then that ash from the burning embers travels through the kiln and sticks to the pottery. Wood ash containing silica melts at high temperatures and forms a glass like surface on areas of the ware inside the kiln. Where the ash does not land the flame touches up against the clay leaving its mark. It is a chosen aesthetic unreachable through any other method.
WE HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH!
The kiln site is ready:
The cement pad has been poured
Eight posts support a 24ft x10 ft, volunteer built, shingled structure.
![Building the Kiln @ Tyler]()
We need to raise an additional amount of $8,500 to pay for the kiln shelves, angle iron, mortar, ceramic fiber insulation, clay, glaze, and a much needed log splitter. If you help us exceed our goal you will be contributing to our kiln scholarship fund. In scholarship, we could provide opportunities to deserving underserved students, local teachers, and emerging artists.
To many community art centers, a kiln of this magnitude would be cost prohibitive with final costs approaching $25,000. We started with a pledge from a local artist, a pile of repurposed bricks, and very hard working volunteers. Our dreams are within reach!
Support of our project will be far reaching. You will help ensure the longevity of our art center as this permanent kiln will be a source of revenue for many years to come. In helping us you also bring job opportunities to regional artists and opportunities for creative expression to our local population.
![Wood Fired Pots]()
A gift Idea: We would be happy to send a gift certificate for someone you know who would appreciate the aesthetics of our project!
Local Business Sponsorship We will gratefully include the names of our business Sponsors in our Kiln Manual. An informative Kiln Manual will be given to each workshop participant. It will contain key information on the safety and firing protocol of our kiln. All Business Sponsors at any level will be acknowledged in our Kiln Manual
Thank You for your consideration. Please enjoy reviewing our gifts.
Thanks to Indiegogo for this opportunity to raise funds for our project.
Please help promote our project by liking us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter.