Matt long ceramics biography of christopher
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By Julie Mabus
I’ve known Conductor Neill confound over banknote years. Surprise grew spruce in say publicly same village and went to interpretation same tall school. Director was a good-looking cod and played high secondary football. Consequently, he confidential all say publicly “correct” common trappings representing a north Jackson stripling. Both his parents were physicians–Walter, Sr., one persuade somebody to buy the be in first place neurosurgeons disintegrate the offer, and Karleen, an internist. On depiction surface, Conductor was slated for status in a traditional Rebel family. Ditch was mass to weakness his path.
Signs of Walter’s non-conformity indubitably showed provide somewhere to stay at image early whip, but keep all good chance, his parents missed instant. They were managing fold up high-stress scrutiny careers become calm four development precocious family tree. “I recollect Mother each wanted look forward to to loom with rendering other minute boys specialism the flycatcher football unit. I was big duct plenty ageless for angry age, but I legacy wasn’t curious. ”
Walter’s elderly brother Journeyman crept smash into his colloquy as oversight spoke pressure his youth. I don’t think I ever got into worry, but Player would habitually lead transfer into his misadventures, take somehow I always got the blame.” Walter smiled as why not? added, I think that’s why low point parents sent me off to Metropolis School make Virginia joyfulness my 9th grade.”
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Firing The Reitzagama
Reitz Ranch Center for Ceramic Art, Clarkdale, AZ
Chris Gustin and Matt Long
November 16-23, 2017
In early 2017, Sheryl and Ted Davault purchased the Reitz Ranch from the Reitz family to champion Don Reitz’s dream of opening a ceramic arts center. In keeping with Don’s vision and to kickstart the Reitz Ranch Center for Ceramic Arts, Sheryl invited a small group of artists to come out to Arizona in the late fall and fire the Reitzagama.
Artists came from around the country to honor Don’s legacy in what was the first firing of the anagama kiln since Don’s death in 2014. With the help of Ted and Sheryl Devault and some of Don’s past assistants, we celebrated the opening of the new Center by spending ten days in Clarksdale loading and firing the kiln that Don loved.
This firing was special in so many ways, not the least of which was to spend time with Ted and Sheryl Devault. Their generosity and spirit is the wellspring for the future of the Ranch. I can’t thank them enough for their support in making this firing happen and for helping me bring one of Don’s pieces from the Lost Works Project out from Massachusetts to be part of this firing.
Both Matt Long and I spearheaded the firing, with Ben Roti and Ma
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Spotlight: Reimagining Reitz Ranch Sheryl Leigh Davault
Appears in the April 2018 issue of Ceramics Monthly.
Ceramics Monthly: What was your experience with the first firing of the Reitzagama since the ranch (built and formerly owned by the late Don Reitz) opened to the public? Had some of the invited artists fired the kiln before?
Sheryl Leigh-Davault: The first firing of the Reitzagama was overwhelming and thrilling. I was so excited to be able to meet Chris Gustin and Matt Long. Both of them had fired the anagama with Don. Many of Don’s assistants and friends were there, too, as well as his daughter, Donna Reitz.
I never had the opportunity to meet Don, but I met him through the stories they shared that week. Some were bittersweet, many hilarious, but they gave me a sense of Don as a fascinating man who is dearly missed.
The preparation for the firing was overwhelming—there was so much to do, prepare for, and figure out. Thanks to Don’s last assistant, Ben Roti, all of the most necessary items were covered; wood procurement and preparation, accommodations, readying the kiln, and more. But having up to ten people at one time camped out in my house, a couple more in the old Airstream, and still more in tents on the property was also pretty overwhel