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4-Day Wood Firing Fundamentals with Dakota Joan Parkinson
Load/Fire: August 29 – 31
Unload: September 5
Price: $160 registration, $40 material fee paid to instructor
This workshop will be centered in the fundamental firing techniques of our North Carolina style groundhog kiln and span three days of firing focused on natural ash surfaces and ember bed effects. My goals are not to teach you how to run the kiln exactly as I do, but to instead supply the tools to problem solve and work collaboratively in understanding how to bring any atmospheric kiln to temperature and seek the surfaces that bring you joy.
We will be focused on basic woodfiring principles, firing by audio and visual cues, monitoring and feeding the coal bed, how to load for dynamic surfaces, and adapting these practices to a kiln without sidestoking. We will be firing in a classic cone 10 to 13 temperature range with a hard shut down to encourage matte, ashy, and ember-rich surfaces. All styles of work have a place in this workshop, including sculptural and functional forms.
Each participant should bring approximately 6 cubic feet of cone 10 bisqueware. We encourage participants to bring more to allow us to fill the kiln more effectively, and to include as many additional 3x2x2 inch stuffer pieces as possible to fill gaps in the kiln.
My teaching approach is deeply collaborative. In this intimate setting you will have hands-on access to the kiln, will be leading shifts, and will receive direct guidance as you problem-solve alongside me. Space is limited, so you can expect plenty of time at the kiln and a close-knit community of makers working toward glowing ash surfaces and ember bed effects.
Day 1 – Students will arrive at the Morean Center for Clay at 9:30am, Dakota-Joan will give an artist talk and discuss with the group the overarching firing goals. We will spend the day discussing glazing and loading strategies as we load the kiln together. On this day we will set the firing schedule and shifts for the remaining workshop time.
Day 2/3 – Students will work together during their agreed upon shifts to fire the groundhog kiln. On these shifts they will learn the details of monitoring the kiln, managing the coal bed and wood stoking patterns. Dakota will be available for hands-on teaching at the beginning of most shifts for demonstration of safe practices and shift expectations. It is recommended that students are present for the final shift in order to learn about kiln shut down. Post shutdown, kiln will need to cool for several days.
Day 4 – Unload ! Students arrive at the Morean at 10am, unload the kiln, take part in a retrospective discussion and clean the kiln. Additionally, Dakota-Joan will demonstrate her methods for cleaning and finishing the fired work.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3141770-0
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3141770-2
