Description

So many potters wish they had the opportunity to experience alternative firing techniques like wood and soda. Kilns are a major expense for potters and most potters settle on a firing approach and all their work is fired the same way in that kiln. This 4 day workshop is a unique opportunity for you to learn all about firing with wood ash and soda ash and fire your own work in this unique atmosphere.

You will bring bisque ware of some of your best work and we all will fire together in the Kazegama kiln and our small soda kiln. We will fire both kilns to cone 10 reduction firing with wood ash and soda ash introduced into the kiln giving the most unpredictable and miraculous results.

Karen Dubois and Sarah Wells Rolland love all things wood and soda and have fired the Kazegama kiln over 23 times now. They are thrilled to share this experience with a group of 12 potters. We will all serve on a crew and share the whole experience together.

Wood ash and soda ash make the most beautiful surfaces on pottery.

Dates: May 6-10

Where: The Village Potters Clay Center

Kilns we will fire: Kazegama and Ms. Stein (a small soda kiln)

Fee: 795.00

***the workshop fee includes firings, all liner glazes, wadding and ashes.

What to expect:

1. You will bring 10-12 pots not exceeding 9″ tall and 6″ wide. This can be mugs, vessels, teapots, small tea bowls or little sculptures. Cone 10 Clay bodies only Please no bowl or very low profile pots like plates or platters.
2. A demonstration about making pots for a wood and soda aesthetic.
3. A slide presentation that will include of some of Karen and Sarah’s favorite pots from the Kazegama kiln and the construction of Kazegama and our small soda kiln Ms. Stein. You might decide to build a small soda kiln yourself at your home/studio.
4. Applying flashing slips and liner glazes
5. Wadding pots for the kiln
6. Loading the Kazegama with detailed planning for best results on the pots. Karen has years of experience loading for wood and soda and she will explain to the teams as she places the work in the kiln. We may even load the soda kiln too.
7. We will fire the kiln(s) on day 3. The day will include firing, introducing wood ash and spraying soda ash into the kiln. We will all share meal(s) together on this day.
8. Day 4, yes, the very next day we will unload the kiln. Day 5 we will unload the soda kiln.
9. We will have a grinding station to clean up your pots from the wadding. You will take home 10-12 pieces all from the kiln(s).
10. We will gather and share a few of our favorite pieces.

The times will vary each day as it is a workshop that includes loading and firing.

Several weeks before the workshop you will receive the details of what to expect, what to bring, materials list, and directions to the studio.

Please contact The Village Potters Clay Center if you have any questions about this workshop.

Click HERE for suggested accommodations located near The Village Potters Clay Center.

Cancellation Policy:

1. Cancellation up to 45 days prior to the start of class/workshop, students receive a full refund (minus a $75 administrative fee).
2. Cancellation within less than 45 days of the start of class/workshop, students receive no refund.
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