About
This collaborative team blends ceramics, photography, and research to explore the possibilities of wood-firing. Ceramic artists experiment with innovative kiln designs, alternative fuel sources, and hand-built forms, pushing the boundaries of texture and surface.
Photographers and digital editors document each stage of the process, preserving the intricate details of fired work, while data management supports ongoing research and experimentation. With a shared commitment to creativity, education, and technical exploration, this group advances the art and science of wood-fired ceramics.
JAMES KASPER maintains a wood-fired kiln and has designed and built numerous kilns, ranging from 8 to 30 feet long. His current kiln that features a unique grid system that allows the introduction of various fuels — charcoal, corn, wood pellets — anywhere in the chamber, creating dynamic surface effects while reducing the risk of breakage.
Primarily focused on figurative sculpture rather than functional pottery, his work includes tiles, table figures, wall heads, and large-scale sculptures. His sculptures, often solid and up to 12 inches thick, push the boundaries of form and texture in wood-fired ceramics.
Beyond his own practice, Kasper has helped bring together woodfirers from around the world, hosting multi-week workshops that foster cultural and technical exchange, ensuring the evolution of this ancient art form.
LORI RODERICK has been making hand built sculptural vessels since 1983 when she found the coolest and most accepting place to hang out on her college campus — the pottery studio. Clay wasn’t finished with her after graduation so she made a leap of faith and continued on to grad school at the University of Iowa.
The intervening years have been an exercise in building a career in the middle of the Midwest (Rock Island, Illinois) in arts then higher education administration. Through it all, she has been working in her ceramic studio whenever she has a minute. She has gallery representation in Door County, Wisconsin where she sells low fire, coil built pieces.
She looks forward to retiring from her day job to spend more time wandering the outdoors for inspiration, making art and holding workshops to convince old and new friends to get their hands in clay.
MAGGIE ADAMS (they/them) was born in small town Missouri and raised in their father’s MRI clinic, cementing a fascination with the human body at a formative age. They received their BFA in Ceramics and Fibers from Truman State University in 2021, with honors and a minor in Art History.
After graduation, they lived as a resident artist at the Osage Arts Community in Belle, Missouri and spent nearly two years managing the clay studios at Access Arts — a non-profit community art school in Columbia, Missouri. Here they deepened their love for teaching, as well as connected with Jim through his work in experimental wood firings.
Adams exhibits their artwork nationally in juried and invitational shows. Currently, they are a Ceramics MFA candidate at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, continuing to pursue their passions for teaching and making art about queer identity through allegories of digestion and self-cannibalization.
SHAWNA JOHNSON earned her B.F.A. from the University of Missouri in 1998, developing a passion for art as a tool for community building. She began her career supporting regional artists before moving to New York in 2004, where she worked as a freelance project manager.
In 2012, she became Executive Director of Access Arts, a nonprofit focused on inclusive art education. She launched an Artist in Residence program, helping emerging artists transition into teaching, including trips to Iowa to explore the Kasper collection and wood-firing techniques.
In 2023, Shawna joined the City of Columbia as Engagement Coordinator, facilitating meaningful conversations between residents and local government. She remains committed to creating spaces for connection and artistic expression. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking for friends, reading, and spending time with her dog, Sundae.
A Special Thanks to Our Data Manager, Jaye Kasper
We extend our deepest appreciation to Jaye Kasper, whose dedication and countless hours of work have been instrumental in organizing and managing our research. As Data Manager, Jaye meticulously sorts through extensive findings, ensuring clarity and accessibility for our team.
Their attention to detail and commitment to accuracy allow us to push forward with our creative and technical explorations. From tracking kiln experiments to cataloging results, Jaye plays a vital role in keeping our work structured and meaningful. We are incredibly grateful for their contributions and unwavering support in advancing our research.