We've begun scouting locations for clay in Charlton, Galway, Glenville and Ballston Spa. This page will chronicle our expeditions and findings, and be updated as we go.
We have a couple of goals for this phase of the project. The big objective is to find a location where we can dig ~30 buckets of clay to make a primitive wood-fire kiln! Mid-September, ceramic artist and kiln builder, Jordan Becker, is going to help us build a kiln from clay that we find and fire a collection of small clay objects in it! Our second goal is to start to understand where we can find clay and what qualities to look for when digging clay that we can create with. What color will the clay turn when fired? What happens if there is a lot of sand in the clay?
Register here to follow along and get notified of opportunities to dig clay in the wild with us!
Alplaus Creek, Genridge Road, Glenville
Don Rodbell, Union College Geology Professor gave us a tip on where we could find an exposed layer of glacial clay deposits just 15 minutes from the studio in Glenville, NY. Don led a small group from the studio on a short field trip where we could see the clay layers (varves) and help us to understand how those clay layers are important to geologists who study the timeline of earth's landscape. This site has good potential for being the primary source for our kiln build as this clay does not require a lot of digging to access. We will just need many volunteers to help us cary the clay across the creek!
Mill Creek Pond, Crane Street, Charlton
On a tip from historical references, Dana N. and Pat T. went to the Mill Creek Pond town park along the Alplaus on Crane Street. They collected clay samples from two areas.
Galway Nature Preserve, Crane Road, Galway
Dana N. and Laura S. collected a sample from the preserve.
Farm Field, Jockey Street, Charlton
One of our expeditioner's son is building a house and has dug a foundation. Very fine looking clay layers are exposed. We collected a sample.
Heritage Acres RV and Campsites, Mc Conchie Road, Galway