During the Fall 2024 semester, Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design offered a specialized course in Kiln Building through its ART 314: Special Topics in Ceramics course.

Led by Associate Professor Kevin Hughes, the course is designed for students interested in ceramics, providing a hands-on, immersive experience in kiln construction. It provides students with practical skills and a deeper appreciation for kiln building and firing techniques.

“This isn’t just about using kilns,” Hughes explained. “It’s about understanding and building them from scratch, which is a rare skill that opens creative and practical avenues for emerging artists.”

Course uses variety of materials to teach multiple skills

During the course, students worked with a variety of materials, including kiln bricks, recycled parts from decommissioned kilns and bricks made specifically for high heat. Working in the Brick City outdoor kiln yard, the class constructed their own mini-gama kilns — small, personal kilns made of a specific clay body — then fired them at 1800°F to stabilize them for future use.

Beyond these personal kilns, students also worked in teams to build four unique, experimental kilns: above ground pit kilns, a double cross-draft kiln, a “rocket kiln” and a gas kiln repurposed from an old electric model.

Each type has its own characteristics and construction techniques, Hughes explained. They use fuel sources like wood or gas that can reach varied temperature thresholds, all tailored to different firing needs.

Training teaches self-sufficiency

According to Hughes, kilns are essential but costly. “Kilns used to fire ceramics start at approximately $1,500 and then can pass $60,000 depending on the size and type of kiln that a person buys or decides to build,” he said.

“By learning to create kilns from found and affordable materials, students gain a skill that will serve them wherever they go, from community art spaces to professional studios,” he continued. The basic knowledge of kiln-building will allow students “to meet their firing needs for the work that they are creating.”

The kiln-building experience is important for students, Hughes said, because it empowers them to approach ceramics with a unique blend of creativity, practicality and self-sufficiency. It also equips them for artistic ventures and offering inspiration that could last a lifetime.

“We have a great group of students who are interested in clay right now, so offering the class seemed appealing,” he noted. “After taking the class, students will better understand the concepts of firing various kilns, the principles of kiln construction and [have] the confidence to be able to build their own kiln.”

Explore opportunities in ceramics studies

News written by Sam Barnette and edited by the Reynolds College Communications Team.

Sam Barnette is a writer for the Department of Art and Design. She earned an MFA in Dramatic Writing from Missouri State’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film. Barnette is currently working toward an MS in Data Science and Analytic Storytelling at Truman State University.