Heritage and Mission Statement

Our Heritage

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Of all man's arts, ceramics deals most directly with earth, water, air and fire  ...  elements the ancients considered atomic essentials of our world. Fire is the key. Fire gives clay a hardness and permanence. Without a knowledge of the action of fire, the potter's craft would not exist. Nor would exist those infinitely numerous shards and sherds with which we piece together the material and spiritual record of early human history.

Mission Statement

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To promote awareness of the ceramic arts and build a sense of community through clay related activities, bringing individuals of all ages together to celebrate our heritage and pass it on to future generations.

The Gulf Coast Kiln Walk Society does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race or religion.

Project Purpose

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To build a facility on the Gulf Coast of Florida where various methods of firing pottery may be explored. The first kiln constructed at Kiln Walk is a large, historically-inspired climbing kiln ("Anagama") fueled by wood. A second kiln has followed that is a reconstruction of a classic groundhog kiln, moved from the original pottery location in Jay, Florida. While classic and historic, both these kilns produce state-of-the-art wood-fired ceramics. Other firing methods will include Raku, Soda, Salt, Pit and Sawdust.