The Cookout - 2024

The Cookout - a juneteenth celebration

Hambidge proudly observed Juneteenth through the second iteration of The Cookout, an initiative born from our ongoing partnership with OYA Studio. From June 11-23, we hosted fifteen Black ceramic artists for a transformative two-week residency and retreat on our scenic Rabun Gap campus.

The Cookout offers Black ceramicists the chance to learn woodfiring principles from Dom Venzant, a seasoned Black woodfire potter. This residency is dedicated to creating historic opportunities for Black ceramicists to advance their creative practices and ensures an equitable space free from racial microaggressions.

This year’s participants—Michelle Ettrick, Earline Green, Deshun Peoples, Kyle Lee, Ashlin Cheyenne, James Bester, Malene Barnett, Reginald Pointer, Tiffany Thomas, Jasmine Oakley, Dominique Maru, Bobby Scroggins, Jim McDowell, Dom Venzant and Yinka Orafadiya—represented four generations of Black potters, fostering vibrant intergenerational dialogue. Living and working together at Hambidge, sharing meals and studio space, all reinforced the communal essence of the woodfiring process.

Through grassroots fundraising efforts, participants were only responsible for travel costs. Residency and firing fees were covered, aligning with OYA’s mission to provide enriching experiences for Black ceramic artists and Hambidge’s mission to nurture creativity.

Watch this powerful, yet tender video by Tiffany Thomas about her experience of The Cookout.

Photos by Richard DuCree.