Hello friends,

I am honored to announce that this spring, I will be traveling to the outskirts of Tamba-Sasayama to assist John Dix at Fieldwork Japan in Ogami, Hyogo Prefecture. My time there will be focused on caring for the studio, making pots, and assisting John and Chikako in hosting international ceramicists.

It is a dream of mine to travel the world firing different wood kilns, and I am thrilled that Fieldwork is home to two anagama kilns. I am also looking forward to expanding my technical knowledge by learning to bisque pots in their kerosene kiln.

Just outside the hamlet of Ogami lies the historic pottery region of Tamba-Sasayama, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kiln sites. I can’t wait to connect with local potters and spend my time riding my bike between the historic sites.

To help fund this study abroad trip, Mike Taylor, Marina Karassellos, and I are hosting a raffle! Entries are available in the raffle tab, from now until February 13th, with winners announced on Valentine’s Day! It would mean so much to me if you would consider supporting this expedition.

If you don’t need any more pots but would still like to help, I am also accepting donations via Venmo @linfoust.

Lastly, I have to send a huge thank you to West Michigan Clay & Pottworks Studio. You all have lifted me up in every way creatively and helped make this dream a reality!

<3

Photo: Nic Sagodic

2026