World of Clay, 2014

A wonderful annual event to consider during next year's holiday season is the "Christmas Open House at Kilian's Pottery:" We arrived on a cold afternoon at the historic Kilian farmhouse, located on Old Columbia Road, and were promptly greeted by Thomas Albert Kilian Ill, the potter's father and a most colorful and imposing rooster.

Sandy, Tom's wife, graciously welcomed us into her historic home, which was filled with the scents of Christmas and clay. A wood-burning stove spilled its warmth throughout the cozy house, and her home-baked cookies completed this country-living yuletide picture. I sat down in a rocking chair by the stove, and tasted the sweetness of Christmas in a house that may be one of the oldest in Tyrrell County.

On display in the adjacent room were Thomas Albert Kiian Ill's works of pottery art- his world in clay: Father and son buile the pottery studio together, when Thomas was only seven years old, and he has poured his heart into clay ever since. Asked about his awards, some of which were on display, Thomas said

"Over the years I have won many awards for my creative and useful pieces of pottery: And Ive made these pots in the studio that my father and I built together. My style of pottery is different, because I think it is important to live your life and work in your own way!"

Then Thomas led us along a path past the chicken coup to his studio, with the big pottery wheel and even more recent pieces on display:

It is cold here, as there is no heat. He says that his hands get really cold when he works here in the winter. Asked about his goals, he answers, "My goal in life is to be the first potter that doesn't go to "Seagrove" (the historic community of potters in NC), but stays home and makes the lives of others in Columbia a bit brighter.

I now own a couple of "The Potter's" pieces, which will add to the country feel of my new home in Columbia.