Gerald Epperson is stoked about his Crockett gallery’s new exhibit.

Yes, that would be literally.

Artists from Solano, Contra Costa and other Northern California regions have entered pieces for “Tempered by Fire,” opening Saturday.

It’s all about creating in a wood-burning kiln, something that’s been handed down “for thousands of years,” said Kathy Kearns, a Crockett artist.

“Once you learn to read the piece, they have their little story, little narratives,” Kearns said. “Every piece has a unique surface to it.”

Locals included in the exhibit that runs until May 3 include Monique Rutherford of Benicia, Karen Winograde and Sarah Brown of Napa, and Tri Tran and Lisa Jetonne of Fairfield.

Conrad Calimpong travels from Ferndale and Nick Schwartz from Comptche also participate.

Marc Lancet of Davis, a ceramics instructor at Solano Community College for more than 25 years and co-author of “Japanese Wood-Fired Ceramics,” is also in the exhibit.

It’s at SCC where many of the Epperson pieces originated, Kearns said. SCC is one of the few state community colleges boasting a wood-burning kiln.

Read entire article: Epperson, artists stoked about new exhibit - Vallejo Times-Herald, 2015