Two Cracked Pots showcases a remarkable collection of ceramic works created by Jim Leedy and Don Jahn over a decade of friendship and mutual inspiration. This exhibition not only displays the artistry of two ceramicists but also reflects the product of a fruitful friendship – launched by John O’Brien in 2012. The culture of creativity and community that emerged from Jim Leedy and Don Jahn’s collaboration imbues Two Cracked Pots with a genial quality.
Central to Jim Leedy and Don Jahn’s friendship and collaboration is a wood-fired train kiln, built by Jahn in the heart of the Ozarks in 2010. Across twelve years, the kiln — the bricks of which were harvested from Kansas City’s historic Stockyards power plant- has been fired 28 times. At their firings, Leedy and Jahn celebrated craft, camaraderie and collective effort. Drawing on a community of artists and friends who gathered to stoke the flames, cook meals, and prepare camp, the friend-collaborators invited others to share in the transformative process of woodfire ceramics. Jahn introduced salt glazing to the kiln in 2024 to add a distinctive texture and character to the ceramics, some of which are Leedy’s wares. In this way, their collaboration has carried on since Leedy’s death in 2021.
Jim Leedy’s studio served as a catalyst for experimentation and inspiration, where the creative dialogue between friends and fellow artists flourished. The years spent in Jim’s studio were among the most fulfilling in Jahn’s life, filled with camaraderie and inspiration. Every Thursday night, the studio transformed into a vibrant gathering of friends, artists, and musicians — a place where ideas, experiences, and creativity flourished.
Two Cracked Pots is as much about community and shared artistry as it is the artists’ final products. Each piece tells a story not only of skill and innovation but of friendship, celebration, and the love of ceramic arts.
Artist Statement: Donald M. Jahn
I am deeply fortunate to have spent the last half of my life working with and learning from some of the finest ceramic artists of our time. My journey in ceramics began at the age of forty under the mentorship of John Kudlacek at Emporia State University. This path led me to study with exceptional artists like Jim Estes, Stephen Hill, Victor Babu, George Timock, and Ken Ferguson, each of whom profoundly shaped my artistic vision and technical approach.
In the later years of my career, I had the privilege of collaborating with Jim Leedy, an opportunity made possible by our mutual friend, John O’Brien. Our partnership was one of creative synergy: I threw the forms, and Jim assembled them, resulting in works that embody both of our artistic voices. These years spent in Jim’s studio were among the most fulfilling of my life, filled with camaraderie and inspiration. Every Thursday night, the studio transformed into a vibrant gathering of friends, artists, and musicians — a place where ideas, experiences, and creativity flourished.
Since retiring in 2003, I’ve dedicated myself to my practice, building a wood-fired train kiln on my property in the Missouri Ozarks. My current work focuses on mid-range and high-fired ceramics, blending traditional techniques with personal exploration. Each piece is a testament to the relationships, collaborations, and creative energy that have shaped my life and practice.
Artist Bio:
Donald M. Jahn began his journey in ceramics at the age of forty, studying under his first mentor, John Kudlacek, at Emporia State University. He further honed his skills with Jim Estes at Missouri Western and was fortunate to learn from renowned ceramicists such as Stephen Hill, Victor Babu, George Timock, and Ken Ferguson during his time at the Kansas City Art Institute. In the later years of Jim Leedy’s life, Jahn had the privilege of working alongside him in his studio, an experience that profoundly shaped his artistic practice.
After retiring in 2003, Jahn built a wood-fired train kiln on his property in the Missouri Ozarks. This kiln has become a cornerstone of his creative process, producing mid-range and high-fired ceramics that showcase the unique effects of wood firing and occasional salt glazing. Beyond a tool, the kiln has also fostered a vibrant community of artists and friends who gather to participate in its firings, sharing meals and camaraderie.
Jahn’s work embodies a dedication to craftsmanship and exploration, reflecting both the technical mastery and the serendipitous beauty that define the ceramic arts.
