It’s hard to believe I’m thinking about Christmas in the 100 degree plus temperatures this week. But every time we have a kiln opening at Natchez Clay, it’s like Christmas for me. We set the date and time of the opening, but most everyone is there early. Excitement is in the air. We all crowd around the kiln as the door is slowly opened to “oohs” and “aahs” from everyone.

Last Sunday was the first opening of the kiln at the new Natchez Clay studio, and excitement was at an all-time high. We were all a bit nervous because this was the first time the 3,000-pound kiln had been fired since it was moved from Franklin Street to the new studio at Clifton Avenue. Knowing that the majority of the work in this firing was made by some of our newer students from our summer class as well as the work of our Teen Artist week participants only added to the anticipation.

Losing a piece of work is upsetting to any potter, but to a beginner who has only produced a few pieces, the loss of a pot can be devastating.

When it came time to open the kiln, we all gathered and held our breath, just like kids waiting to see if Santa had been there. As the door opened, there were big smiles on everyone’s faces as the array of pots was revealed — everything intact with no signs of breakage visible! We all let out a sigh of relief and eagerly began removing the precious pieces and passing them around for everyone to examine, just like passing out presents.

But these presents have something to share with everyone. Each pot is unique. Everyone tries their own combination of glazes that results in unique results. So as the piece is passed from person to person, there are lots of questions. “How did you get that color?” “What glaze is that?” “Will you show me how to do that?” And we all learn from each other as we celebrate the joy of our successes, as well as the disappointment of our failures.

This Friday, from 5 to 7 p.m., Natchez Clay will hold an open house and the pottery “presents” will be passed on to our Teen Artist Week participants. The teens weren’t present at the kiln opening, so their first sight of their work will be when they walk through the door to see their pots displayed in a gallery setting at the studio. We can’t wait to see their faces as they, too, begin passing around their pots and sharing their stories with friends and family.

To celebrate the fifth year of our pottery teaching studio and the opening of the new studio at 101 Clifton Ave., we would like to invite you to the Natchez Clay Open House.

Join us for refreshments, the teen gallery opening, and a tour of the studio. Who knows? You may sign up for a class. Then you, too, can enjoy the excitement of Christmas more than once each year!

Donna Jones is co-owner of Natchez Clay along with her partner, Jacque Stahlman. For more information, contact natchezclay@gmail.com or call 601-660-2375.