Alan Potter doesn’t just like animals; he immortalizes them. Using a special low-firing ceramic technique called raku, he removes still-bubbling pieces from kilns and places them directly into metal canisters filled with sawdust; the filler ignites and is extinguished, and the resulting vacuum creates exciting effects like crackle glaze, iridescence, and matte finish, all characteristic of raku. Alan’s horses, donkeys, giraffes, cardinals, owls, and even Yetis holding balloons all bear his signature shapes and textures—and the fact that he maneuvers delicate sculptures in and out of smoking containers just underlines his commitment to the (animal) form. Come chat with him about his work!