I have seen something very interesting – a very large wood-fired ceramic kiln called an anagama.
We have a lot of language about the transformative power of fire, but how many people have witnessed and understand what it is? How clay is fired, how metal is cast, how welding is done? This kiln burns for 9 days with attendants continuously loading in the wood. It fires a year’s worth of work by the artist, and other work by his friends. This is what you can do in Michigan, in a small town, on your own property.
More about: http://kenshenstone.com/shenstone-kiln.php