Tom Kilian, a local potter, celebrated eight years of work July 11 with a kiln opening at 1375 Old Columbia Road
Kilian has been expanding his pottery offerings.
“I have been creating heritage ring jugs. Ring jugs are an European-derived form which was meant to carry water to the fields and lie flat on a projection such as the hame knob of a mule’s collar, but later became a novelty item. These unusual shaped jugs could be found as far away as Russia and Ukraine,” said Kilian
The first style of ring jugs Kilian started making were like those of the North Carolina Moravians.
“As I have become more proficient, I am making more of a European style ring jug which is extremely wide and thin. Recently, I have produced and released a video of myself remaking a late 1700 style German double-ringed jug,” said Kilian   Kilian has also been recreating wares of intaglio.
“Intaglio a word used by printmakers; however, among ceramicists it is called “scratched blue” is an antique, decoration technique of the late 1700’s  which was born in mass-production potteries of Staffordshire, England.
“Intaglio is an technique in which a image is incised into the surface of the pot, and the incised line or sunken area holds the glaze or slip. In other words, it is the direct opposite of a relief. I have used this technique to create intaglios of different colored samples of liquefied clay.
In February, Kilian demonstrated in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for the Pursue Christian Teen Conference.
“In May, I exhibited my work in Chatham, Virginia. In September, I will be exhibiting in Columbia, Missouri as well as doing some instruction.
Kilian’s work has attracted interest all across the world.

“Stateside, there have been an interest in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia as well as locally. In fact, one of my intaglio museum pieces that had been shown in Japan entitled “Cowboys and Indians” was just sent to Oklahoma. My audience has increased internationally due to having social media followers from Canada, United Kingdom, France; Germany, Kenya, Tanzania; Uganda, Iraq, South Korea and Indonesia,” said Kilian.
Kilian has gained the attention of V&A Collaborations,the research department of The Victoria and Albert Museum, which is the world’s leading museum of art and of design, part of a longstanding collaboration with the Royal College of Art.
“Ceramics in America a premier heriage ceramics magazine have also shown some interest in my work. Online Ceramics an online gallery containing work by some of the UK’s leading ceramic artists has also featured some of my work,” said Kilian