Guest Series: Glazes and Surfaces for Wood-Soda, February 2023

Glazes and Surfaces Workshop for Wood-Soda, February 2023

12 people max. Indoor/Outdoor. Beginner friendly.

1 full day prep and glaze work in Portland

3 consecutive days loading and firing at East Creek

1 day unloading at East Creek

Prep: Thursday, February 16th, 2023

Load/fire: Friday through Sunday, February 17-19, 2023

Unload: Saturday February 25th, 2023

Students will be exposed to concepts of Cone 10 atmospheric firing techniques and learn how a reduced wood / soda atmosphere affects ceramic wares. This workshop will include educational framing and guidance with glazing (glaze making, glaze recipes, painting, dipping, and spraying), surface preparation, wadding, loading, firing, unloading, and cleaning of the kiln and wares.  This workshop will provide an informative overview of the glazing and atmospheric firing techniques that Samuel and Maya have been developing over the past 3 years.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this class you will be able to:

• Perform the technical mechanics of firing a wood/soda kiln
• Understand the different phases of an atmospheric firing in a reduction environment
• Understand the loading process of an atmospheric kiln
• Recognize the atmosphere type in a kiln
• Interpret and select glaze recipes and learn where to find glaze resources
• Utilize best practices to mix batches of glazes for test and production
• Apply glaze and slips
• Learn how glazes are affected by placement in the kiln
• Learn how glazes are affected by the soda and wood atmosphere
• Make and apply kiln wash
• Make apply wadding
• Make cone packs
• Set up and read cone packs and pyrometer
• Practice safe firing methods
• Clean and prep shelves and kiln furniture

Core Concepts

• Overview of atmospheric firing - gas, salt, wood, and soda
• Elements of a functional pot and glazing for atmospheric firing conditions
• Ideas and information for surface treatment
• Technical aspects of soda firing a wood kiln

Materials Included

-All glazes and wadding for use during workshop

-Clay Journal

-Firing Schedule - Kiln log with primary phases

-Slip and glaze recipes and references list

-Kiln wash and wadding recipe

-Copy of the East Creek Handbook

-2 cubic feet of firing space, bring your Cone 10 bisqueware to the first day of class

-Saturday night shared dinner

-Camping (tent or car) for firing, and unloading

Day 1 – Thursday, February 16th, 10:00am-6:00pm, Location: Portland Clay Compound

• Introductions
• Names, pronouns, experience with clay, why are you here / goals?
• Overview of workshop and other need to know details
• Overview of atmospheric firing - Gas, salt, wood, and soda
• Discuss - Surface preparation, review glaze and slip options and best practices for application
• Mix up glaze
• Make wadding
• Make cone packs
• Strategize and document glaze application plan
• Apply liner glaze
• Glaze Demonstration
• Apply glaze using spraying, painting, and dipping methods
• Load sinter fire kiln

Day 2 – Friday, February 17th, Location: East Creek

• Overview of Kiln
• Catenary Arch Design (Pros and cons)
• Soda application strategies (Pros and cons)
• Review loading process and firing strategy
• Wadding session
• Load the kiln

Day 3 – Saturday, February 18th, Location: East Creek

• Overview of firing strategy
• Review phases of the firing
• Review stoking tells/signals
• Review firing levers - (primary air, damper, stoking pattern)
• Stoke the kiln
• 4 hour shifts

Day 4 – Sunday, February 19th, Location: East Creek

• 2nd day of firing, 4 hour shifts
• Add soda mixture to the kiln

Day 5 – Saturday, February 25th, Location: East Creek

• Unload the kiln
• Cold work demonstration - wad removal, sanding and grinding your pots
• Clean the kiln
• Clean the kiln furniture and shelves

Course, materials, and kiln fees:

• Workshop registration cost = $370
• There will be a maximum of 12 slots for participants
• 3 cubic feet of kiln space per person (around 50 mugs) $120
• Materials cost = $100
• Registration is through the East Creek Art website

Optional:

-Tiny Cabin stay (February 10-12th)

-Bunkhouse bed (February 10-12th)

**COVID-19 Vaccines are required for all participants at East Creek**