Woodfired Ceramics

An ancient and demanding technique in which wood alone — no gas, no electricity — raises the kiln to 2,350°F over the course of a multi-day firing. Flame, ash, and smoke move through the chamber freely, landing on surfaces, melting into glaze, and leaving marks that no two firings will ever repeat. The results are unrepeatable by design: each piece carries the direct imprint of that specific fire.

Each firing is the result of three to four months of preparation — forming and drying the work, sourcing and splitting firewood, testing glazes and kiln placement. The kiln fires twice a year: once in spring (May) and once in autumn (September). Each cycle yields a limited number of pieces, and not all survive intact. Scarcity is inherent to the process.

Works are available through a small number of carefully chosen stockists in the Catskills region, as well as through EarthenArchive in New York City, which offers private showings by appointment. For direct inquiries — including commission interest or advance notice of upcoming firings — please get in touch.

Yes, please Contact Us if you would like to arrange a visit. Appointments Only.

All pieces are made by hand by Hugh, a solo practitioner who first encountered pottery in Japan during a university exchange over twenty years ago. Trained across studios in Japan and the United States, Hugh eventually settled in the Catskills in 2020 to build a dedicated studio and construct his own wood-fired kiln — a decades-long pursuit brought to completion in the countryside.

Yes. All works are food safe; glazes are non-toxic. Many collectors use them daily — the surfaces evolve subtly with use. Hand washing is recommended to preserve the natural ash glaze.