Michael Mahan
Maker/Collector Statement
In 2010, I found this lovely jug (Whiskey Jug) buried in the earth up a hill from what I now believe is the kiln site of the late W.J. Stewart, who crafted whiskey as well as pottery fired in a wood kiln on our property in the 1890s. The vase I picked for the exhibit (Tree Vase) is a piece I decided to keep from my latest wood firing, made out of clay from the property that I process by hand. When I pick up the jug, it's as if I'm shaking hands with Mr. Stewart.