This one week wood firing workshop will encompass the loading/firing of the train kiln, image presentations, demonstrations, and unloading. We will focus discussions on techniques and systems used to gain fluidity in the wood firing process. Careful loading decisions, stoking intervals, making work with wood fired intentions, and analysis of the finished results are some of the topics we’ll discuss.

The 7 day woodfire workshop is intended to help participants gain an understanding of the variables when firing a kiln with wood. Loading is perhaps the most important part of a wood firing, yet so often work is simply "put" into the kiln v. "loaded". Firing the kiln is not about putting wood in the kiln, but how often, how much, and where each log is placed has a direct effect on how the kiln heats, and color development within the clay and glaze.

I've developed unique systems to help everyone on the team get on the same firing schedule, and understand the results of their actions. I’ll present two image presentations, one about loading the kiln directly related to the workshop title, and one about my personal progression as a mid career ceramic artist. Focus of demonstrations will be a combination of wheel thrown and coiled work, and how to clean/prep wood fired work for sale/display.

Day 1 – Load Kiln
Day 2 & 3 – Fire Kiln
Day 4, 5 & 6 – Hands on workshop and demonstrations
Day 7 – Unload Kiln