2501 Visiting Artist Workshop - Atmospheric Soda Firing as they Relate to Slips and Clays
Visiting Artist-Ceramics | Available
We will be firing a wood kiln where soda is added. The combination of wood ash and sodium will create dynamic surfaces as they effect the clays, glazes and slips applied to ones pieces. We will discuss loading and wadding strategies as well as how certain clay and slips react with the atmosphere of the kiln. This will be a large collaborative effort to fire the kiln and we will learn the fundamentals to soda firing in a wood fire catenary arch kiln.
Students will bring bisque wares to decorate, glaze, load, and fire at Sawtooth Wood Fire Kiln Pavilion located at NCMA-NC.
Day One, 3/6 (Friday): Introduction to soda firing. Gay will share her experiences in soda firing, demonstrate how to effectively decorate pots with glaze and flashing slips. Students will glaze/ slip pots and make plans for the loading. Kiln loading begins with Gay sharing her ideas related to different ways to prepare and place pots in the kiln. Light the kiln and begin the firing.
Day Two, 3/7 (Saturday): Firing continues.
Day Three, 3/8 (Sunday): Firing continues.
Gay Smith will offer an additional day on 3/9 to unload kiln, observe, share, and learn from the result.
- The student will bring up to 20 bisquewares for this workshop. The work needs to be made with stoneware clay constituted for cone 10 (2300°F/1300°C.)
The biggest dimension of each piece should be within 8” in Length or Height.