Timber Frame Project:
Timber Framing for a Cause
Frederic Arts’ Pottery Program Benefits
The donation of a gas ceramic kiln back in 2018 is slowly showing signs of fruition at Frederic Arts. “All good things take time”, says Jack Route, Vice Chair of the local community Arts organization. “We have big wants and ideas but also a lot of needs, so this program has necessarily taken a back seat to other ongoing priorities, particularly during Covid. We would like to build a pottery program that echoes the appetite of the community. Eventually, our goal is to be able to offer a gas kiln experience which allows control of producing either an oxidation or reduction atmosphere during firing. It’s something you can’t get from an electric kiln and a differentiation that is important to understand. We are trying to plant seeds now that will grow participation.”
Additionally, there was a need for a building to house the gas kiln from the elements. Utilizing the resources of local master timber frame builders Brian Hall and Marc Cutter, Frederic Arts offered service classes which worked to educate students in the making and understanding of timber frame joinery, and as a biproduct, produce a structure worthy of the goal. Timber framing is a very old way of connecting wooden elements that stand the test of time in an elegant and sturdy manner using only exactingly carved hand-made joinery and yielding handsome visual results. Three different master classes over fourteen months’ time culminated in the awesome hand-built structure you see in these pictures. It's been a win/win for everyone involved.
Frederic Arts would like to thank so many: Charles Peck, Bill Ferron, Ron Feit, Lloyd Wilson, Steve Eidenschink, Mark Cunningham, Derek Greenfield, Jack Route, Ted Nast, Jeff Wetzig, John Seebach, Steve Johnson, Mark Asher, Jonah Rappaport and Darrough Cutter, all ably led and inspired by instructors Brian Hall and Mark Cutter. Lunch support by Tammy Seebach, Chris Byerly and Nancy Buley. Special thanks to Matt Mattson of Butternut Creek Crane Company.
It will be some time yet before the chimney is built and the kiln needs some re-configuration. We hope those understanding of the tasks we are undertaking will be patient and maybe even want to be involved in the process. You can contact Jack at info.FredericArts@gmail.com or our pottery instructor Christy Wetzig at christywetzig@gmail.com
