Fire Spectacular features ceramic program with community events

LAWRENCE — The weather is cooling down, and the Department of Visual Art at the University of Kansas has just the event to warm up the community.

The department will host the 2013 Fire Spectacular with the Lawrence Arts Center to celebrate fire’s role in art. The event will take place at the KU Kiln Complex at Chamney Barn, 2445 W. Bob Billings Parkway, on Saturday, Oct. 19, with a barbeque at 6 p.m. and the main event beginning at dusk around 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the community.

The Fire Spectacular will feature several events including ceramic wood kiln firings, an experimental ceramic performance kiln and an iron pour. The event will highlight and promote the creative research in the fields of ceramics and sculpture at KU.

“I am excited about the 2013 Fire Spectacular. It promotes research, community engagement, and it will be fun,” said Marshall Maude, event organizer and assistant professor of ceramics

The schedule of events for the day includes:

• Wooden Spoon Making Workshop, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Panel discussion with artists Ian Meares, Heather Nameth Bren, Ted Adler, Chuck Owens, Andy Brayman, Mat Rude, Brenda Lichman and Russell Wrankle, moderated by Marshall Maude, 4 p.m.
• Potluck and barbeque dinner, 6 p.m.
• Iron pour sponsored by the Ministry of Sculpture, dusk.

The Fire Spectacular is part of a fall lecture and workshop series between the KU School of the Arts and the Lawrence Arts Center. Additional events open to the public as part of the series include:

• Lecture by Andy Brayman on his ceramics artwork using 3D technology and data visualization, 11:30 a.m., Oct. 18, Art and Design Building, Room 421
• Artist presentations, 7 p.m., Oct. 18, KU Kiln Complex at Chamney Barn
• Workshop on ceramics techniques and concepts hosted by Chuck Owens and Ian Meares, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 21 and 22, Art and Design Building, Room 110.

For more information on the Fire Spectacular events, contact Marshall Maude.

The ceramics program is in the Department of Visual Art, one of four departments in the School of the Arts.