Our summer arts program has been making quick, simple pieces to test how well wild clay in Melgund Township works for pottery and ceramics.

This year’s summer arts program is gaining momentum, with a hands-on project that is drawing strong participation from across the community. Working in collaboration with the Art Borups Corners society, artists have been testing locally sourced wild clay, using material gathered directly from the surrounding area, as part of an ongoing effort to build practical, place-based arts knowledge.

Since early May, the group has been actively engaged in the full process: digging raw clay deposits, slaking the material down, screening out impurities, and drying it for further use. The work is physical, methodical, and rooted in observation, as each batch reveals different qualities and challenges.

The goal is straightforward: to determine how this local clay performs in real-world applications, particularly for pottery and ceramic projects planned for later this fall.

The early results are promising, with several test batches showing good workability and strength at small scales. Beyond the technical outcomes, the project is also reinforcing a direct connection between land, material, and making, which is often missing from conventional arts programming. And, by working with what is available on-site, they’re developing the foundational skills for ongoing, locally grounded production that can be expanded in future seasons.

Testing will continue with pit firing in early September due to fire restrictions. The pieces that survive will be included in this year’s fall art show and exhibition, which will take place this September at the Dyment Recreation Hall.