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Home of the Original John Thies Manabigama
John Thies, Potter and Wood Fire Kiln Builder Cell (301) 471-0296 manabigama@gmail.com |
Quick Link Index:
NEW Manabigama Pottery Center, Bowling Green, OH
Gunda Stewart, Canyon, British Columbia
University of Louisville, Kentucky
Professor Bob Chance, South Carolina
University of North Dakota -- Finished Pots
Arrowmont School of Art and Craft, Tennessee
577 Foundation Workshop, Perrysburg, Ohio
Paul Fricker, Buckingham, England
Scott Wiley and Friends, Ardmore, TN
Millbrook School, Millbrook, NY
Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA
The College of Creative Studies, Detroit, MI
John Galloway's Manabigama, Scappoose, Oregon
Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD
Manabigama kiln building
New Manabigama's
The NEW Manabigama Pottery Center, Bowling Green, OH
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| Future home of The Manabigama Pottery Center, Bowling Green, OH - Click for larger view |
John enjoying his new studio space..lots of natural light and plenty of open space to create! - Click for larger view |
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| 2500 sq. ft. of kiln room work space where Manabigama's are being built - Click for larger view |
Inside Johns new studio making space - Click for larger view |
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| 1st Manabigama almost complete…all refractory materials purchased from Larkin Refractory Solutions, Atlanta, GA - Click for larger view |
1st Manabigama under construction….2nd Manabigama will be built this spring and used exclusively for soda/salt glazing.. - Click for larger view |
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| The Manabigama Pottery Centers first kiln complete - Click for larger view |
Manabigama firing of large jars by John Thies. Kiln was loaded using no kiln shelves, by placing pots directly on the floor. A small temporary bag wall was installed to protect the front pots. - Click for larger view |
Erik and Noelle Hendrick’s, Vermont
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| Erik and Noelle Hendrick’s new Manabigama. Vermont. Kiln construction and first firing led by Bill van Gilder - Click for larger view |
Vessels by Erik and Noelle Hendrick from their first Manabigama firing. Kiln was fired to cone 6 throughout, and light soda was dispersed - Click for larger view |
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| Vessels by Erik and Noelle Hendrick from their first Manabigama firing. Kiln was fired to cone 6 throughout, and light soda was dispersed - Click for larger view |
Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD
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| Manabigama under construction at Frederick Community College, Frederick, MD. Kiln building workshop led by Bill van Gilder, along with Frederick Community College ceramic students - Click for larger view |
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Ann Bradshaw's Manabigama, Rice, VA
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| Manabigama built by John Thies, Tiffany Hyland, and Ann Bradshaw (owner), in Rice, Virginia - Click for larger view |
John and Tiffany in front of Ann Bradshaw's new Manabigama, Rice, VA - Click for larger view |
John Galloway's Manabigama, Scappoose, Oregon
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| John Galloway's Manabigama, Scappoose, Oregon. - Click for larger view |
John Galloway's Manabigama, Scappoose, Oregon. - Click for larger view |
Carol Kimmons, Whitwell, TN
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| Carol Kimmons with her new Manabigama built with all three inch thick brick. Located at the Sequatchie Valley Institute, Whitwell, TN. - Click for larger view |
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The College of Creative Studies, Detroit, MI
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| Students loading their new Manabigama at The College of Creative Studies, located in Detroit, Michigan - Click for larger view |
John Thies was invited to hold their first wood firing workshop, seen here helping a Korean ceramic student learn how to stoke the kiln. - Click for larger view |
Manabigama being built by Nicholls State University, Thibodaux, LA
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| The first firing Manabigama at Nicholls State University - Click for larger view |
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| Jeff Brown and his new Manabigama wood kiln lovers! - Click for larger view |
Chris Cooley a star of the NFL Washington Redskins and aspiring Potter
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Chris Cooley a star of the NFL Washington Redskins, along with his wife Cristy, Bill van Gilder, and John Thies at Monocacy Pottery. Chris is an aspiring potter these days as well as the starting tight end for the Washington Redskins. Chris and his good friend Richard Bush of Leesburg, VA will be building their Manabigama starting this coming September in Leesburg, VA. |
| Chris Cooley a star of the NFL Washington Redskins, along with his wife Cristy, Bill van Gilder, and John Thies at Monocacy Pottery - Click for larger view |
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| Richard Bush, Chris Cooley, and Bill van Gilder building the Manabigama "47", named in honor of Chris's football jersey number 47- Click for larger view |
The finished Manabigama "47" - Click for larger view |
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| Number “47” getting some relaxing time making pots for his new Manabigama wood kiln, after a hard day at football practice - Click for larger view |
Finished pot from the Manabigama “47” - Click for larger view |
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Finished pot from the Manabigama “47” - Click for larger view |
Unloading the Manabigama "47" - Click for larger view |
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| Chris Cooley and Bill van Gilder unloading the first kiln load from the Manabigama "47" - Click for larger view |
Manabigama being built by Millbrook School, Millbrook, NY
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| Manabigama under construction at Millbrook
School, located in Millbrook, NY - Click for larger view |
The ceramics teacher David Kaufmann and his high school students are pleased to have their very own wood fired kiln at the high school - Click for larger view |
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| Manabigama under construction at Millbrook School, located in Millbrook, NY - Click for larger view |
The finished Manabigama at Millbrook School, located in Millbrook, NY - Click for larger view |
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| Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
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| Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
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| Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
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| Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
Happy High School students
unloading their very first wood firing of the Manabigama they
built and fired at Millbrook School - Click for larger view |
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| John Thies working with students
from Millbrook School teaching them how to fire their Manabigama for the first time! - Click the image below to view the movie |
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Manabigama being built by Scott Wiley and Friends, Ardmore, TN
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| Manabigama being built by Scott Wiley and friends, Ardmore, TN - Click for larger view |
Manabigama being built by Potter Paul Fricker, Buckingham, England
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Thanks John! As much as I thought about trying to do this kiln all myself based up on photos and various designs, in the end I'm so glad I decided to buy the designs off of you. This email support is worth every penny to me. Paul Fricker |
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| Manabigama under construction using all three inch thick, readily available, standard UK fire brick, being built by potter Paul Fricker, located in Buckingham, England. |
Manabigama built by 577 Foundation Workshop, Perrysburg, Ohio
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Manabigama built by 577 Foundation workshop participants. Workshop was led by Bill van Gilder, John Thies and Julie Beutler, ceramic director at the center. The kiln was completed and ready to load in 4 days. We then loaded, fired, and unloaded in the next 3 days with amazing, beautiful results. Many thanks to all who participated, the 577 Foundation directors, and a special thank you to Julie who worked way too hard from beginning to end. All in all a fantastic experience. We know they will enjoy their new kiln. We appreciate all of your hard work and thank you again for this opportunity. John and Bill |
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| Bill van Gilder and John Thies along with the hardworking 577 Foundation
wood kiln building and firing group - Click for larger view |
Building the Manabigama at the 577 Foundation, Perrysburg, Ohio - Click for larger view |
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| A nice natural ash deposit from the 577 Manabigama - Click for larger view |
Unloading their 2nd solo group firing at 577 Foundation Manabigama - Click for larger view |
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Dear John, On behalf of the 577 Foundation I would like to thank you for the generous donation from a percentage of your pots that you sold during the workshops held here during May 2010. There are not enough words to thank you for your leadership, teaching and the experience you gave to Julie, Nadia and the community members who gave their time and interest to be apart of building the unique Manabigama Wood Kiln. The 577 Foundation is fortunate to have this “beautiful learning kiln” on our property and enabling us to expand opportunities to our pottery program. Our pottery students, area colleges, universities and high schools and professional potters will be able to utilize this kiln for firing which will produce one of a kind pottery. Therefore, we have added your donation to our wood kiln project. Thank you so very much for the ability to help others in the interest in the 577 Foundation. We sure are thankful to you and your support of what is going on here! Every year we see more and more people who seem to have great experiences with the classes they have attended, the tours they have gone on, the meetings they have participated in, and the gardens they have created. Sincerely, |
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Manabigama built from an article in Ceramics monthly by Bill Perrine, Homer NY
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Hey John, First, I want to thank you for your article in Ceramics Monthly two summers ago with the manabigama that I modified a little bit to fit my needs better. I made it a little wider and shorter to fit my shelf size, budget and shoulders. I would be honored to have my kiln on your site! You have no idea how glad I am that you did that article. I love my kiln!. I fire about 14 hours and want ash accents on my glazeware. Thanks, Bill |
| Manabigama built from an article in Ceramics monthly by Bill Perrine, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
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| Manabigama built from an article in Ceramics monthly by Bill Perrine, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
Manabigama built from an article in Ceramics monthly by Bill Perrine, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
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| Pot’s by Bill Perrine from his Manabigama, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
Pot’s by Bill Perrine from his Manabigama, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
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| Pot’s by Bill Perrine from his Manabigama, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
Pot’s by Bill Perrine from his Manabigama, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
 Pot’s by Bill Perrine from his Manabigama, Homer NY - Click for larger view |
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Mac Lewis’ old wood kiln in New Zealand
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| Mac Lewis’ old wood kiln in New Zealand , is now being converted into an extended version of the Manabigama. The new Manabigama kiln will be 11 foot interior depth with a side stoke port in the back. The existing chimney will be saved and incorporated in the new Manabigama kiln. - Click for larger view | Arch form in place on New Zealand kiln, Mac Lewis - Click for larger view |
Manabigama built by David Emmert, VA
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| Manabigama built by David Emmert, VA. Kiln was constructed using the original design and drawing from a Ceramics Monthly article - Click for larger view |
Pot’s by David Emmert from his Manabigama - Click for larger view |
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| Pot’s by David Emmert from his Manabigama - Click for larger view |
Pot’s by David Emmert from his Manabigama - Click for larger view |
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| Pot’s by David Emmert from his Manabigama - Click for larger view |
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Gunda Stewart, Canyon, British Columbia
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Hi John, Fired the little rocket yesterday. Had 2 wood firing potter friends with us, so, many hands, light work. They were very impressed (as were Wayne & I) with how smoothly and evenly that little kiln fires. We did the little fires in the air intakes, 3 hours preheat, then 12 hours of firing. Cone 12 was pretty down but not puddled with cone 11 just down at the back. We knocked a couple of pots over with the stoking but pulled them back up again with a rebar hook! Only difficult thing was how hot it was stoking near the end. We all were covering our faces and staying back as far as we could. It's a lot hotter than a Bourry box. We're going to look into getting wire mesh face shields or something. I'll email you firing pictures and photos of the pots after I unload. So thanks for this great little kiln. It is not only the prettiest little kiln I've seen but fires beautifully. Cheers, Gunda |
| Manabigama being built by Gunda Stewart, Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
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| Manabigama being built by Gunda Stewart, Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
Manabigama being built by Gunda Stewart, Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
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| Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
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| Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
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| Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
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| Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
Samples by Gunda Stewart,
Canyon, British Columbia - Click for larger view |
Michael Mahan, Seagrove, NC
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| Michael Mahan building the Manabigama with a mix of odd shaped sizes of refractory brick, Seagrove, NC - Click for larger view |
Michael Mahan building the Manabigama with a mix of odd shaped sizes of refractory brick, Seagrove, NC - Click for larger view |
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The Manabigama under construction at the University of Louisville, Kentucky
Click here to read about the Manabigama Project at the University of Louisville. You can also view the slide show "From the Ground Up" below
"From the Ground Up"
 The Manabigama under construction at the University of Louisville, Kentucky - Click for larger view |
John, All in all it our first firing went pretty well. Initially, the front kiln, right in front of the firebox, raced ahead of the back of the kiln, so we spent most of the rest of the firing with the top layer of the passives out or partly out. This made for much smaller gains but steadier gains in temp. My students made some goofy cone packs that didn't have any cones between 1 and eight and they left out a 12, so when we put 11 down in the front we didn't have any cones left to watch. Of course they wanted to burn through as much wood as they could so I let them. After 12 hours we had cone 11 down in front and back and we continued to soak the kiln for another 3 hours. In all we burned through almost 3 ricks of wood. Our goal next time is to try to slow the firing down and extend the overall time to 18 to 20 hours. We really needed more cones to monitor our progress and play with our stoking pattern. The students had a great time. They learned a lot about the fundamentals of loading and firing. They are sometimes difficult to motivate but they said they would like to fire again in two weeks, so something about the firing captivated there imaginations-a good thing. I'll keep you posted about the firing. Also, your new website looks great. Regards, Todd |
 Manabigama complete and ready to fire! - Click for larger view |
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| Student samples from our first firing - Click for larger view | Student samples from our first firing - Click for larger view |
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John, We LOVE the kiln. We've fired it twice and already have had some wonderful results and a lot of fun. Best, Jeff Campana, |
| Student samples from our first firing - Click for larger view | |
"Plum Nelly" Manabigama Built by John Thies along with the help of Mark Issenberg, and Peter Rose, on top of Lookout Mountain, in Rising Fawn, GA
All refractory brick and kiln supplies purchased from and provided by Larkin Refractory Solutions, Atlanta, Georgia
 Building the "Plum Nelly" Manabigama - Click for larger view |
Mark Issenberg of Lookout Mountain Pottery, located in Rising Fawn GA, was awarded a grant from the "Create Here" foundation, located in Tennessee, to build the Manabigama and to purchase materials from Larkin Refractory Solutions. He based the soul purpose of using the Manabigama wood kiln to introduce students to the beauty of wood firing, as well as for personal use. Out of 140 applicants, Mark was very fortunate to receive a generous grant of $15,000. This allowed him to build a shelter, buy the complete refractory package, and to hire me, John Thies, to come and hold the complete kiln building workshop. This little, most wonderful kiln, will now allow him to "go forth...and create beauty." Thank you Mark for making me part of this great experience! John Thies |
 "Plum Nelly" Manabigama - Click for larger view |
 "Plum Nelly" Manabigama - Click for larger view |
Hi ya John,
I just want to tell you about how much my crew and I liked firing the Plum Nelly Manabigama Kiln.
We left 2 propane burners on over night on low. The firing was lots of fun and had no problem getting to cone 12. We fired for 12 hours. We unloaded the kiln 3 days later. We had great results with ash all the way back .
What a great kiln , looking forward to the next firing of the Plum Nelly Manabigama Kiln.
Mark Issenberg
Lookout Mountain Pottery
Rising Fawn Georgia
 Unloading their first firing from the "Plum Nelly Manabigama" - Click for larger view |
 Glazed vases made by Mark Issenberg, fired in the first firing of Plum Nelly Manabigama - Click for larger view |
The Manabigama being built by potter Cynthia McDowell in New Mexico
All refractory brick and kiln supplies purchased from and provided by Larkin Refractory Solutions, Atlanta, Georgia
 New Mexico Manabigama "At Night" - Click for larger view |
Hi John. Wow, what a kiln!!! I am very happy with the overall design and action. I see why you call it the teaching kiln. There are so many options to play with while firing. We fired for 17 hours, plus a long candling period and did some pretty heavy reduction this time. Used cedar and pine wood and had about 175 pots inside. The gang was all excited about the whole process. Thanks for everything. You and Bill were a huge motivating factor in me committing to the manabigama plan and having the whole package ready to go, made it easy to take it on. I know this baby will get a lot of use for a long time. Cynthia McDowell |
 Building the New Mexico Manabigama - Click for larger view |
 New Mexico Manabigama - Click for larger view |
 New Mexico Manabigama Complete - Click for larger view |
 Pots from Cindy McDowell's first Manabigama firing - Click for larger view |
 Pots from Cindy McDowell's first Manabigama firing - Click for larger view |
 Pots from Cindy McDowell's first Manabigama firing - Click for larger view |
 Pots from Cindy McDowell's first Manabigama firing - Click for larger view |
 Pots from Cindy McDowell's first Manabigama firing - Click for larger view |
 Pots from Cindy McDowell's first Manabigama firing - Click for larger view |
The Manabigama being built by potter and professor Bob Chance, South Carolina
Bricks are all used material also added a 3 foot extension to the chamber length for salt glazing, with a side stoking port hole
 Manabigama being built by potter and professor Bob Chance - Click for larger view |
 Side stoking port hole - Click for larger view |
University of North Dakota, September 2008
 Ceramic professors Brian Fricke, Wesley Smith, along with Bill van Gilder and John Thies after building, firing and unloading the Manabigama at the University of North Dakota - Click for larger view |
 The Manabigama kiln at the University of North Dakota, built by Bill van Gilder and John Thies along with the help of the ceramic graduate students - Click for larger view |
 Graduate students at work building their new Manabigama wood fired kiln at the University of North Dakota - Click for larger view |
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Hi John,
The Manabigama kiln is firing beautifully. Mike Arnold and I fired it last week and Brian Fricke and I will be firing in about two weeks.
Mike and I fired with duped wood. The guy sold us a chord and a half of seasoned hard wood (oak was indicated) and we received less than a chord of punky cotton wood.
We were full stoking every 4 to 5 min. The kiln fired beautifully but the next firing is bound to be better.
Thank you and hopefully I will run into you at NCECA.
Michael Douglas
Finished pot's from the Manabigama at the University of North Dakota
 University of North Dakota Teabowl - Click for larger view |
 University of North Dakota Bowl - Click for larger view |
 University of North Dakota Oval - Click for larger view |
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Arrowmont School of Art and Craft, Tennessee, August 2008
Built by John Thies
along with help from the ceramic artists in residence
All refractory brick and kiln supplies purchased from and provided by Larkin Refractory Solutions, Atlanta, Georgia
 Arrowmont School of Art and Craft - Click for larger view |
 Arrowmont School of Art and Craft - Click for larger view |
 Arrowmont School of Art and Craft - Click for larger view |
 Wood fire workshop participants at Arrowmont looking at their finished pieces, from the Manabigama kiln. They where fired during a wood fire workshop held by Bill van Gilder, at Arrowmont September 2009 - Click for larger view |
 Vessels by Arrowmont Ceramic Director Bill Griffith, fired in the Manabigama during a wood fire workshop held by Bill van Gilder, September, 2009 - Click for larger view |
 Vessels by Arrowmont Ceramic Director Bill Griffith, fired in the Manabigama during a wood fire workshop held by Bill van Gilder, September, 2009 - Click for larger view |
"La Paz" Manabigama kiln building workshop, Delaplane, VA July 17 - 20, 2008
 Bill van Gilder and John Thies building the Manabigama with participants as a workshop for Glen Echo Pottery School (Held on a beautiful grape vineyard in Delaplane, VA) - Click for larger view |
Dear Friends, The kiln is done! We had an excellent kiln-building workshop led by Bill van Gilder and John Thies. It was well-attended, well taught, and the kiln was built efficiently and in a good spirit. I'm sending a couple of photos to give you an idea of how great it looks. Now that construction is done, we are all anxious to get firing. John and Bill have graciously agreed to conduct the first firing so that we can get the full benefit of their knowledge and experience. I'm so pleased that the kiln building has gone so smoothly. Many thanks to all the volunteers and especially to Bill, John and Charlie our expert mason. Now, lets get some great pots done! Bill Kruvant |
 Un-bricking the door at the "La Paz" Manabigama first firing, Delaplane, VA - Click for larger view |
Dear Kruvants, Thanks very much for the usual fine Kruvant hospitality. The good lunch, the cold water and especially those little popsicle thingies. They were a lifesaver in that 90-plus degree heat. I went home exhausted, sweaty, dirty and happy. Who knew slave labor could be so much fun? It was a great experience, thanks to John and Bill and Charlie. I was bowled over by the craftsmanship, intensity and precision of those guys. Thanks boodles. Kay |
 Bill van Gilder and Bill Kruvant firing the "La Paz" Manabigama, Delaplane, VA - Click for larger view |
Kay, You said it so much better than I could. What a great experience and one that we'll never forget. And it will get even better! Thanks to everyone who made it happen and made it fun, too! Nikki and Vince |
 Finished ware from the "La Paz" Manabigama, Delaplane, VA - Click for larger view |
Dear John , Greetings. My group is excited. We had a show and tell of the La Paz pots today. Beautiful surfaces Lots of oohs and ahhs all around. Thank you! Your firing workshop at La Paz was a complete success. Everyone I've spoken to learned something. Had fun, love the pots. Kudos to you and Bill... you are fabulous teachers! The art of woodfire... as I learn about the process I begin to understand I know nothing and the possibilities are endless. Each fire is a dance with the elements and the spirit of the people participating. Who knew... if someone would have told me as a child, years from now you will play in the mud, you will build hotter fire than you can imagine, send smoke signals to the sky, pull jewels from the belly of a dragon and have joy in it... I would have smiled. Thank you again, cheers. Yours truly, Missy |