Freetown Press gets “Hands On” in the latest interview with: Pottery Alley

Ever noticed that exceptionally large warehouse situated on Garfield St. in Freetown, next to the train tracks? Well even if not, all that matters in this story is that I have, and the mystery behind what it functioned or functions as has been completely eating me up since I first moved to Lafayette. So, today I decided to do something about this lingering curiosity and went home, grabbed my car keys, threw on my lucky interview shirt (that corduroy one I promised to never wear again), checked my camera power, looked for my notebook for 15 minutes and jetted out the door. Today would be successful I promised myself. Today curiosity will not kill the cat, it will feed a community of cats and everyone will live happily-ever-after. As cats.

Vroooooom. Park. It was short drive, that’s the beauty of Freetown.

The first thing I noticed, as anyone would passing this building is the large Odell’s Pottery sign. Earlier in the day I did some research and found a website for Odell’s and the various clay ceramic creations they offer. It was all quite expensive, but for good reason, handmade objects are difficult to come across nowadays. Power to em’

As I approached the bright red side door I was greeted with a blinking “Open”, neon sign and a message that informed all newcomers and possible ne’er-do-wellers that there was a dog present inside. Taking a deep breath, as I always do before jumping into uncertainty I knocked firmly Tap-Tap-Tap. I paused a moment, then reloaded my fist for round two just as the door quietly creaked open and I was greeted by a welcoming “Hey There!”. Standing in the doorway was a woman in her mid-fifties with a smile as friendly as I’d ever seen in Freetown. She encompassed every aspect of your stereotypical ceramics aficionada: clay stained palms, paint stuck gently to the tips of her bangs and a handshake that contained the firmness of a blue collar steel worker. Her name was Susan, I was definitely in the right place, and she was the in-house ceramics artist (not owner or manager)  for Pottery Alley.

Susan ushered me in and quickly dispelled the first lie I had come to believe about this place. This warehouse was not “just” Odell’s Pottery, Odell operated in the back, the front was a completely different business called “Pottery Alley”. In fact if you direct your gaze underneath the large Odell’s sign on the front of the building you will in fact see the hanging “Pottery Alley” sign. Small, but once you see it you’ll notice it every time from then on, I promise.

After our initial introduction she went on to explain that Pottery Alley specializes as a ceramics studio that offers multitudes of workshops, classes and events for persons of all ages. I’d go into detail about the specifics of these various offerings but that would be a waste of time, if you’re interested, just check out their website at pottery alley.

A pause in conversation allotted me a moment to really take in my surroundings. The main room consisted of four walls, each of which was completely filled with shelving, and amongst this shelving, ceramics making supplies and current student’s work. On the left hand side there was a corner specifically for the chemicals used to make the glazes. Apparently this is an exact science, pottery alley only has one person who does this and they require complete silence when calculating measurements. The right hand side of the room contained a “slab” used for free forming clay and a table with huge chunks of material they order for their projects. Amongst the middle of the room were between five and seven (can’t remember the exact amount) “wheels” used for creating bowls and circular pottery that the public is most used to seeing. It was actually pretty awesome walking in on Susan using one of these bad boys, we were so immersed in conversation that it remained spinning, mesmerizingly, the whole time.

Finally, following a little over 15 minutes of touring the facility Susan began getting to the exciting stuff, the stuff I came here to learn more about…..the process. In the following photo essay I’ll describe in as much detail as I can, the process of making ceramics. Start to Finish.

Step 1: Wedging (not pictured)

Sorry for not getting the VERY photo for the beginning process y’all! I probably bring shame to my family or something for that. Basically, in this step you mix the clay by hand and knead and knead it until there is absolutely no air bubbles left in the clay. If you leave even a few your beloved project will explode in the kiln….EXPLODE.

Step 2: Forming

Personally my favorite step in the ceramics making process. Forming can be done by methods of molding, pinching, coiling, wheeling and slabbing. Pottery Alley only uses two forming techniques… Slabbing and Wheeling. The photo below is of the wheels used to form the clay.

Step 3: Drying

This stage comes once you’ve formed your clay to the basic/almost complete shape that you’d like to see as your final product. You wrap your creation in plastic to slow down the drying process and then place it in the Damp Room. This allows you to return back to the piece a few days later and still have the ability to work your ceramic. You can see the plastic wrapped around some of the pieces below..

Step 4: Greenware

Greenware is the name given to pottery that has dried completely and can no longer be formed or carved. Your piece is in its permanent state and is very delicate, any forms of pressure risk the cracking of your ceramic. At this stage the pottery is ready to be fired in the kiln.

Step 5: Bisque Firing

If you’re a fan of extreme heat and danger this is the step for you. Bisque firing takes place in a ceramics oven known as a “kiln”. Here the piece is hardened and strengthened at over a period of three days at temperatures of up to 1800 degrees F.

plugs used to regulate temperatures

Step 6: Glazing

This is the process of coloring the ceramics once it leaves the kiln. The glaze material is made up of a mixture of ground glass, water, clay, and color dye. It can be applied in many different ways such as brushing, sponging, pouring etc..

Step 7: Glaze Firing

This is the last step in the ceramic making process. The kiln is set and programmed to over 2000 degree F this time! It cooks for almost 3 days and when completed needs a day or two to dry. After, You’re finsihed!!

I’ve definitely kindled a new love for the art of ceramic/pottery making after writing this article. It was an incredible and extremely “earthly” process that left me itching for more after I left. I definitely recommend Pottery Alley to anyone interested in pursuing the art, the people there are insanely friendly and passionate about their work. Thanks Susan and the rest of Pottery Alley for the interview!

By: Damon Robert