An outdoor gas kiln will create new options for potters (ceramics and jewelry are the center's major areas in craft).

Firing a gas kiln is an art and despite all his care the potter submits his ware to the flames and delights in the subtle variations that are beyond his control.

They are also modernizing their operation by introducing gas kilns and using a low-lead glaze.

The pieces could crack if they were dried too fast or if they were heated unevenly in the gas kiln.

The first floor was renovated to produce an exhibition space, administrative offices, and sculpture studio complete with three large-scale gas kilns.

Until 18 years ago, this was done in five traditional wood-burning, beehive-shaped ovens, but now two gas kilns are used: the small one holds up to 600 pieces, and the large one, 1,000.

But it was not until 1974, when a high-temperature gas kiln was built here in Water Mill, that the large-scale production of high-fired ceramics was possible.

The factory has five electric and three gas kilns.

One aspect that can affect the results is the use of electric versus gas kilns.

As far as bricks go, most of the ones manufactured in the United States are made in natural gas kilns, which are much less harmful to the environment than wood-fired kilns.