Enigmatic Soda Firing with Casey Beck | June 12 - 15
Join resident artist, Casey Beck in this special workshop focusing on the enigmatic surfaces produced through his process of soda firing. Participants will bring bisque ware to be fired in the kiln as bare clay or with a slipped surface and learn to load with the anticipation of the flame carrying the soda ash in mind. Work will be loaded closely, tumble stacked and props will be made to direct flame movement throughout the kiln.
During the firing we will cover the topics of soda ash introduction methods, soaking and cooling the kiln to produce strong flashing and surface development on the work. The firing should yield a variety of colors and surfaces throughout the kiln ranging from browns and grays to reds and pinks. Each piece will have a varied surface with both flashing and a soda glaze.
Schedule:
Thursday, June 12:
7:00 - 9:00 am: Arrive. (may arrive evening prior if camping)
9:00 - 10:00 am: Talk about glazing / slipping, roll wadding.
10:00 am: Begin loading kiln.
Approx. 2:00 pm: Begin kiln firing.
Friday, June 13: Fire soda kiln. Potential of artist talk or demos from Casey as time allows.
Saturday, June 14: Anagama will be unloaded from previous workshop (not required for enigmatic soda workshop)
Sunday, June 15 at 9:00 am: Unload kiln, cleaning, debriefing.
What you get:
2 cubic feet of work in the kiln with the ability to purchase more space if available.
Free Camping
Access to our glazes
Learn by doing: participants will be able to join in all aspects of the firing process including loading, firing, soda introduction, and clean-up.
Instruction overview of the firing process, how-to fire, and how to clean-up and care for works post-firing.
Participation:
Participants may come and go during the firing if desired. Please note this is not a pick-up and drop-off firing service and participants are expected to assist with prep, loading, unloading and clean-up.
Places To Stay:
If you are interested in camping on the property please let us know. If you aren’t into camping, there are several comfortable places to stay in the area. You will receive recommendations in the information packet sent to you after you register.
Clay Bodies:
Much of the outcome in atmospheric firings depends on the clay body. It is important to use clays which are high refractory. All clay bodies must be Cone 10 or higher. No low-fire or mid-range clay as they will melt in the kiln and make a HUGE mess of everyone’s work and our kilns. Suggested commercial clays we have had success with are WSO, Porcelains, B-mix Woodfire, White stoneware. If you would like to mix your own, Casey has provided a number of recipes here.
What to Make:
A variety of shapes and sizes is strongly encouraged. This will make for a better load and firing results! Please avoid bringing ONLY cups and bowls, appropriate spaces for these forms are limited and if you do, some of your work will likely not make it into the kiln. If you bring plates, please know that they will be left unglazed and placed in a stack. Tall and thin, always in, and round and bulbous shapes are great for certain spots.
How Much Work to Bring:
We recommend bringing extra pieces to fire, this gives some flexibility when loading and ensures you get a good amount of work in the kiln. Participants must be flexible on the placement of work in the kiln. The loading lead artist must be able to load the kiln in a way that ensures best results for all participants. If you go beyond the amount of prepaid kiln space you can purchase more while here, if it is available. Additional kiln space is $100 per cubic foot. When measuring the cubic feet of an object we also take into account the amount of space that is needed around an object. If you have questions about cost and measurements we advise that you get an estimate onsite before the loading.
Glazes:
We recommend that you do not glaze the exterior of your work and only use liner glazes. Often the most beautiful pieces out of kilns are the ones without glaze. This also allows us to tumble stack, creating even more surface, variety and better loading options. If you do wish to glaze, Blue Celadon and Shino liner glazes will be utilized on the insides of pots that need them. You may use your own glazes, however please use stable cone 10 glazes that don’t tend to run. Please note that iron rich/saturate glazes will not work in this particular firing method.
REFUND POLICY:
In the event of cancellation by the registrant up to one month prior to the date of the event you will receive a refund of your purchase amount minus a $100 fee. No refund will be given within one month of the event.
Join resident artist, Casey Beck in this special workshop focusing on the enigmatic surfaces produced through his process of soda firing. Participants will bring bisque ware to be fired in the kiln as bare clay or with a slipped surface and learn to load with the anticipation of the flame carrying the soda ash in mind. Work will be loaded closely, tumble stacked and props will be made to direct flame movement throughout the kiln.
During the firing we will cover the topics of soda ash introduction methods, soaking and cooling the kiln to produce strong flashing and surface development on the work. The firing should yield a variety of colors and surfaces throughout the kiln ranging from browns and grays to reds and pinks. Each piece will have a varied surface with both flashing and a soda glaze.
Schedule:
Thursday, June 12:
7:00 - 9:00 am: Arrive. (may arrive evening prior if camping)
9:00 - 10:00 am: Talk about glazing / slipping, roll wadding.
10:00 am: Begin loading kiln.
Approx. 2:00 pm: Begin kiln firing.
Friday, June 13: Fire soda kiln. Potential of artist talk or demos from Casey as time allows.
Saturday, June 14: Anagama will be unloaded from previous workshop (not required for enigmatic soda workshop)
Sunday, June 15 at 9:00 am: Unload kiln, cleaning, debriefing.
What you get:
2 cubic feet of work in the kiln with the ability to purchase more space if available.
Free Camping
Access to our glazes
Learn by doing: participants will be able to join in all aspects of the firing process including loading, firing, soda introduction, and clean-up.
Instruction overview of the firing process, how-to fire, and how to clean-up and care for works post-firing.
Participation:
Participants may come and go during the firing if desired. Please note this is not a pick-up and drop-off firing service and participants are expected to assist with prep, loading, unloading and clean-up.
Places To Stay:
If you are interested in camping on the property please let us know. If you aren’t into camping, there are several comfortable places to stay in the area. You will receive recommendations in the information packet sent to you after you register.
Clay Bodies:
Much of the outcome in atmospheric firings depends on the clay body. It is important to use clays which are high refractory. All clay bodies must be Cone 10 or higher. No low-fire or mid-range clay as they will melt in the kiln and make a HUGE mess of everyone’s work and our kilns. Suggested commercial clays we have had success with are WSO, Porcelains, B-mix Woodfire, White stoneware. If you would like to mix your own, Casey has provided a number of recipes here.
What to Make:
A variety of shapes and sizes is strongly encouraged. This will make for a better load and firing results! Please avoid bringing ONLY cups and bowls, appropriate spaces for these forms are limited and if you do, some of your work will likely not make it into the kiln. If you bring plates, please know that they will be left unglazed and placed in a stack. Tall and thin, always in, and round and bulbous shapes are great for certain spots.
How Much Work to Bring:
We recommend bringing extra pieces to fire, this gives some flexibility when loading and ensures you get a good amount of work in the kiln. Participants must be flexible on the placement of work in the kiln. The loading lead artist must be able to load the kiln in a way that ensures best results for all participants. If you go beyond the amount of prepaid kiln space you can purchase more while here, if it is available. Additional kiln space is $100 per cubic foot. When measuring the cubic feet of an object we also take into account the amount of space that is needed around an object. If you have questions about cost and measurements we advise that you get an estimate onsite before the loading.
Glazes:
We recommend that you do not glaze the exterior of your work and only use liner glazes. Often the most beautiful pieces out of kilns are the ones without glaze. This also allows us to tumble stack, creating even more surface, variety and better loading options. If you do wish to glaze, Blue Celadon and Shino liner glazes will be utilized on the insides of pots that need them. You may use your own glazes, however please use stable cone 10 glazes that don’t tend to run. Please note that iron rich/saturate glazes will not work in this particular firing method.
REFUND POLICY:
In the event of cancellation by the registrant up to one month prior to the date of the event you will receive a refund of your purchase amount minus a $100 fee. No refund will be given within one month of the event.
Join resident artist, Casey Beck in this special workshop focusing on the enigmatic surfaces produced through his process of soda firing. Participants will bring bisque ware to be fired in the kiln as bare clay or with a slipped surface and learn to load with the anticipation of the flame carrying the soda ash in mind. Work will be loaded closely, tumble stacked and props will be made to direct flame movement throughout the kiln.
During the firing we will cover the topics of soda ash introduction methods, soaking and cooling the kiln to produce strong flashing and surface development on the work. The firing should yield a variety of colors and surfaces throughout the kiln ranging from browns and grays to reds and pinks. Each piece will have a varied surface with both flashing and a soda glaze.
Schedule:
Thursday, June 12:
7:00 - 9:00 am: Arrive. (may arrive evening prior if camping)
9:00 - 10:00 am: Talk about glazing / slipping, roll wadding.
10:00 am: Begin loading kiln.
Approx. 2:00 pm: Begin kiln firing.
Friday, June 13: Fire soda kiln. Potential of artist talk or demos from Casey as time allows.
Saturday, June 14: Anagama will be unloaded from previous workshop (not required for enigmatic soda workshop)
Sunday, June 15 at 9:00 am: Unload kiln, cleaning, debriefing.
What you get:
2 cubic feet of work in the kiln with the ability to purchase more space if available.
Free Camping
Access to our glazes
Learn by doing: participants will be able to join in all aspects of the firing process including loading, firing, soda introduction, and clean-up.
Instruction overview of the firing process, how-to fire, and how to clean-up and care for works post-firing.
Participation:
Participants may come and go during the firing if desired. Please note this is not a pick-up and drop-off firing service and participants are expected to assist with prep, loading, unloading and clean-up.
Places To Stay:
If you are interested in camping on the property please let us know. If you aren’t into camping, there are several comfortable places to stay in the area. You will receive recommendations in the information packet sent to you after you register.
Clay Bodies:
Much of the outcome in atmospheric firings depends on the clay body. It is important to use clays which are high refractory. All clay bodies must be Cone 10 or higher. No low-fire or mid-range clay as they will melt in the kiln and make a HUGE mess of everyone’s work and our kilns. Suggested commercial clays we have had success with are WSO, Porcelains, B-mix Woodfire, White stoneware. If you would like to mix your own, Casey has provided a number of recipes here.
What to Make:
A variety of shapes and sizes is strongly encouraged. This will make for a better load and firing results! Please avoid bringing ONLY cups and bowls, appropriate spaces for these forms are limited and if you do, some of your work will likely not make it into the kiln. If you bring plates, please know that they will be left unglazed and placed in a stack. Tall and thin, always in, and round and bulbous shapes are great for certain spots.
How Much Work to Bring:
We recommend bringing extra pieces to fire, this gives some flexibility when loading and ensures you get a good amount of work in the kiln. Participants must be flexible on the placement of work in the kiln. The loading lead artist must be able to load the kiln in a way that ensures best results for all participants. If you go beyond the amount of prepaid kiln space you can purchase more while here, if it is available. Additional kiln space is $100 per cubic foot. When measuring the cubic feet of an object we also take into account the amount of space that is needed around an object. If you have questions about cost and measurements we advise that you get an estimate onsite before the loading.
Glazes:
We recommend that you do not glaze the exterior of your work and only use liner glazes. Often the most beautiful pieces out of kilns are the ones without glaze. This also allows us to tumble stack, creating even more surface, variety and better loading options. If you do wish to glaze, Blue Celadon and Shino liner glazes will be utilized on the insides of pots that need them. You may use your own glazes, however please use stable cone 10 glazes that don’t tend to run. Please note that iron rich/saturate glazes will not work in this particular firing method.
REFUND POLICY:
In the event of cancellation by the registrant up to one month prior to the date of the event you will receive a refund of your purchase amount minus a $100 fee. No refund will be given within one month of the event.