Kiln Relocation Expands Art Class Access at Lander Art Center

In Lander, residents of all ages seek art classes at the Lander Art Center, but the kiln’s location in the main classroom creates a dangerous bottleneck. When pottery is being fired, no other art classes can meet due to extreme heat and unhealthy fumes in the shared space, so clay artists must work around the class schedule for their firing needs. So board members reached out to LOR with a plan to solve this safety and access issue. By relocating the kiln to its own properly ventilated space with a positive pressure hood collection system, the Art Center can run classes and kiln firings simultaneously. This separation eliminates safety hazards from heat and fumes while removing scheduling conflicts that currently limit programming. The solution requires electrical work, ventilation installation, and protective barriers around the kiln’s new location to meet safety standards. LOR’s funding will help cover ventilation equipment, electrical labor, building materials, and professional installation, allowing the Art Center to offer more classes across all age groups while giving local clay artists expanded studio access.