​

 

[Registration for this event is now closed.]

 

This May, East Creek will host its first LGBTQIA+-led firing of the Chicken Cat Kiln, Queer Cat 2023! The weekend of May 19th-21st, we will gather at East Creek with a community of queer artists to share a hands-on woodfiring experience.

 

The field of ceramics has a reputation of being difficult to break into due to the specialized tools and facilities required. Wood-firing is typically even less accessible due to its incredibly high cost, the nationwide scarcity of wood kilns, and its history of being a sexist, male-dominated, disproportionately white field in the United States. Queer Cat 2023 aims to challenge this history by reducing the numerous barriers to entry, opening leadership opportunities, and promoting access to clay education for LGBTQIA+ artists.

 

In alignment with our vision of accessibility, thanks to grant funding and the support of our clay community, both new and seasoned LGBTQIA+ potters will be joining us to have a hands-on wood firing experience with us entirely for free!

 

Please contact alex@coffeemothcreative.com with any inquiries.

 

Loading & Firing

Dates: Friday, May 19th - Sunday May 21st 

Location: East Creek

 

Thursday, May 18th starting at 2 pm, Early Arrival 

 

We are encouraging participants to arrive on Thursday to get acclimated with East Creek, get your lodging situated, and to glaze and wad your pots if needed.

 

Friday, May 19th we will meet at 9 am to share in the loading of the kiln.

 

We expect the loading to wrap up by around 7pm. We will light the kiln with a small gas burner, which will gradually heat the kiln overnight. That evening we’ll enjoy a shared dinner of woodfire pizza (ingredients served up potluck style, gluten-free and vegan options will be available).

 

After the loading, stay for as much of the weekend as you like, or come back later if you can’t stay overnight! Car camping and tent space is available, as well as a limited number of beds and cots indoors. 

 

Saturday morning, May 20th around 6am we will begin stoking wood and continue overnight until we shut down Sunday evening. Stoking shift sign-up will be divided into 6-hour increments over the 36-hour firing. It is not mandatory that you sign up for a shift, but highly encouraged (plus it’s a LOT of fun!)

 

Note: If you’ve never been to East Creek before, be sure to look over the East Creek Handbook before you depart to prepare for your stay.

 

Firing Weekend Highlights 

All Weekend (May 19-21): Collaborative Art Project - “Living In Abundance“

Contribute to collaborative sculpture in the East Creek Studio! 

 

Access is the key to unlocking abundance. The exclusive nature of the wood firing scene encourages a scarcity mindset. By uplifting one another and pooling our resources we can change this fear into a sense of security. In the queer community “Living in abundance” can look like sharing resources or holding space for each other.

 

What does living in abundance look like to you? Reflect on this question as you contribute to our collaborative clay sculpture.

 

The sculpture will be a reflection of our collective experiences and aspirations, and a means to grow together, representing a path forward for the LGBTQIA+ community in wood-fire spaces. Once completed, the sculpture will be fired in a future wood-firing at East Creek.

 

Saturday at 1pm - Round Table Discussion - “Queer Spaces in Woodfire”

Led by Anna Sage, Anya Upson, Lydia Hicks, and Mychelle Moritz

 

A round table discussion centered on creating inclusive spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community in woodfire. Together we will reflect on gender politics, the social dynamics of the woodfire space, and how to move forward from the medium’s history in the US as a predominantly white, male-dominated, and patriarchal institution.

 

Unloading

Date: Saturday, May 27th from 9:30 am 

Location: East Creek

 

On Saturday, May 27th at 9:30 am, we’ll unload the kiln and work together to clean up. Volunteers will give demonstrations on how to grind shelves and sand and finish your pots. Stay into the evening for an optional celebration and bonfire to reflect on our pots, the weekend, and kick off pride!