Guest Series: Glazes and Surfaces for Wood-Soda, May 2022

Glazes and Surfaces Workshop for Wood-Soda, May 2022

6 people max. Indoor/Outdoor. Beginner friendly.

2 consecutive days prep and glaze weekend

3 consecutive days firing plus

1 day unloading

Prep: May 21-22 (Portland, OR)

Load/fire: May 27-29 (East Creek)

Unload: June 4 (East Creek)

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 - Saturday, May 21st 11:00-3:00, Location: 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

Day 2 - Sunday, May 22nd 11:00-3:00, Location: Clay Compound

• Glaze Demonstration
• Apply glaze using spraying, painting, and dipping methods
• Load sinter fire kiln

Day 3 - Friday, May 27th, 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 4 - Saturday, May 28th, 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 5 - Sunday May 29th, Location: East Creek

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

Day 6 - June 4th, 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 = $270
• There will be 6 slots for participants
• 2 cubic feet of kiln space per person (around 36 mugs) $80
• Materials cost = $100
• Registration is through the East Creek Art website

Optional:

-Tiny Cabin stay (3 nights includes May 27,28,29)

-Bunkhouse bed (3 nights includes May 27,28,29)

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