Stephani Stephenson on sat 16 feb 02
oh, was it six or seven years ago the University of Montana held a
woodfire conference in Missoula.
Peter Voulkous, Rudy Autio, Ken Fergusen, David Shaner, Don Reitz, ,
many more, were all there and all gave slide lectures as well as demos
by Rudy and Peter and unloading the Anagama.
It was special because it seemed to me these men valued this time
together , not knowing how many times it would happen again, and in
Montana, where so many of them had spent time. . Their presentations
were wonderful and the conference was energized. I think they all had a
commitment to speak to younger people, and it was inspiring and so
insightful. When I considered the experience, and the very personal
histories behind each man and the progress of his work and life, I felt
quite privileged to be part of that small conference.
One of the most enjoyable days was when Francis Senska came to visit.
She was Voulkous's first ceramics teacher at Montana State in Bozeman,
and when she showed up, he and Rudy were once again just two rascally
college guys, and she was still the teach!
Also at this time, my own work had gotten kind of tight and fusy (for
me), and his rugged raw work looked fresh, once again , the cycle had
gone round, and this was an inspiration to me, to loosen up and let the
clay say CLAY!
Voulkous, such a reputation, but to hear and see him present his own
story, his own work.... in ill health then, yet he managed to
communicate well. You sort of see that we are just folk who have this
common drive. I am glad to have been there , and also I feel for his
close friends, who must feel a great loss..
Stephani Stephenson
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