Going through my pile of mail that accumulated while I was in China, I found the most recent issue of the Log Book, #52 which features my 3rd piece of published writing. The Log Book is a great little Journal dedicated to Wood Firing that is Published 4 time a year. For this issue I wrote a mostly historical piece about the Anamaga at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. From what I could find during my research, this anagama was the second one built in the US, the first being the Peters Vally Anagama, built only the year before.

My last full day in Beijing I went to the Forbidden City, a massively impressive compound. Later that night we all went to a circus like performance before having a delicious farewell dinner. Feels good to be home after traveling for about 23 hours yesterday. China was an amazing trip, and it will certainly leave a lasting impression on me. It will take a while to decompress and really comprehend everything that I experience over the last two months. I fell very fortunate to have experience all this with some wonderful people who I look forward to reminiscing with in the future.

Today we spent the morning at a Buddhist Temple, and a home to the Dali Lama when he is in Beijing. Pretty amazing place and the snow added to the ambiance. Got some street food for lunch and then headed over to the well know art district, 798. Once a thriving artist studio community, it has now been mostly replace by galleries and coffee shops. The best art there was all the graffiti on the walls.

Got up today at 6am to travel to a section of the Great Wall, located in Badaling, about 50 kilometers outside of the city of Beijing. Another long day of travel that included both the subway and train. This section of the wall is a bit more remote and rugged, but still rater touristy with vendors on the wall trying to sell you all kinds of trinkets. Some pretty amazing views from the wall, and very cold.

I’ve been lock out of my website for a few days. The Chinese government isn’t so keen on information sharing. The last five days was spent in the city of Xi’an, which was the capital city of China for most of it’s Dynasties. This was the eastern end of the silk road and located in Shaanxi Province, which has an area of 205,800 square kilometers and a population of 37 million people. Our five days in Xi’an where packet with activities including a trip to see the terra-cotta warriors, the Xi’an history museum, a night trip the the big goose pagoda too see the fountain show, and a trip out to the Fule International Ceramics Museum and residency center. Also a half day walking on the fortified wall that surrounds the inner city. There was also many nights of exploring the open street markets. Arrived in Beijing, the current capital, today after traveling by taxi, Plane, and Bus.

Tuesday we drove out to Yaoli for the day. We enjoyed a leisurely hike through the forest too the top of a mountain where they grow tea. The afternoon was spent exploring a couple small villages in the area. The river side village used to be the primary port for all the Kaolin that was mined in the mountain and then sent to the factories in Jingdezhen.

On Monday night we had a belayed thanksgiving dinner. Since these types of food are not typically made in China, there was some substitutions and improvisation that happened in order to make our feast. Including Mash potatoes in a walk, and stuffed chicken instead of turkey. In the end we had a spectacular meal, with most of the credit going to Lacey. We where joined bye many of the volunteers and staff that work at the pottery workshop.

This past friday our Exhibition “98 Days in China” opened in the c2 gallery at the Pottery Workshop in Jingdezhen China. A packed opening with many of the local artisans, students, and friends coming out to support us. To celebrate all the hard work that went into the exhibition we all went out to K-TV(Karaoke) after the reception. In China Karaoke is huge, and they have establishments where you can rent a room with your friends to have your own private Karaoke party. Lots a fun!!

We have all been working hard to get ready for our group exhibition here in China. Here a couple of set up shots. More photos coming soon once it’s all up. We also have a great poster that we have been hanging all over the city.