November 6th-8th
10am-4pm each day
In this three-day hands-on workshop, participants will design and build their own shoebox-sized sculptural wood-fired kiln from clay. Both sculpture and functioning kiln, these small forms offer a playful way to explore the relationship between fire and clay.
Using the basic anatomy of a wood kiln -- firebox, ware chamber, and chimney -- participants will create imaginative forms while learning the fundamentals of airflow, draft, and small-scale kiln design. Through demonstrations in sculptural handbuilding and kiln construction, participants will balance expressive form with function. On the final day, the group will fire a pre-dried sculptural kiln while preparing their own kilns to take home and fire independently.
Objectives:
Design a small wood-fired kiln as a sculptural clay form.
Use handbuilding techniques to create hollow, structurally sound forms.
Incorporate fireboxes, firing chambers, stoke holes, flues, and chimneys into an expressive design.
Understand the basic principles of combustion, airflow, draft, and flame movement.
Explore how the functional requirements of a kiln can become opportunities for sculptural invention.
Consider the relationship between exterior form and the movement of fire through an interior chamber.
Learn basic strategies for loading, fueling, and firing miniature wood kilns.
Gain the knowledge needed to safely dry and fire a finished sculptural kiln independently.
Schedule:
Day 1 – Design + Build
Introduction to the basic anatomy and mechanics of a miniature kiln
Look at examples of sculptural and experimental kiln forms
Explore ways to incorporate the firebox, chamber, flame path, and chimney into a sculptural design
Sketch and develop individual kiln designs
Demonstration of hollow handbuilding techniques, joining, wall thickness, and structural considerations
Begin building individual sculptural kilns in clay
Day 2 – Sculpt + Finish
Continue building and refining individual kilns
Develop sculptural form through volume, texture, appendages, openings, and other details
Consider how sculptural choices affect airflow, draft, and flame movement
Complete kilns and prepare them for drying
Day 3 – Dry + Fire
Discuss drying, preheating, and preparing a clay kiln for its first firing
Begin carefully drying participants’ individual kilns for safe transportation home
Load a pre-dried sculptural mini kiln as a group
Prepare fuel and discuss appropriate wood size and firing strategies for miniature kilns
Collectively light, stoke, and fire the kiln
Observe and discuss draft, flame path, atmosphere, temperature, and the relationship between sculptural form and firing behavior
Discuss how participants can safely load and fire their own kilns at home
Review firing results, troubleshooting, and possibilities for future kiln designs and experimentation
Pack up dried individual kilns to take home
Outcomes:
An original, handbuilt, shoebox-sized sculptural wood-fired kiln to take home
Experience designing a functional object through a sculptural approach
Increased confidence constructing hollow, structurally sound forms in clay
A working understanding of firebox, chamber, flame path, flue, and chimney relationships
An introductory understanding of combustion, airflow, and draft in a wood-fired kiln
Hands-on experience loading, lighting, stoking, and observing a miniature wood firing
An understanding of how to safely dry, prepare, and fire an individual mini kiln
A foundation for continued experimentation with sculptural kiln forms and small-scale wood firing
This course is suitable for:
Ceramic artists and makers interested in sculptural handbuilding, experimental firing, wood fire, and playful approaches to kiln design. Basic ceramics experience is recommended, though prior firing experience is not required.
$350 Includes instruction, 50 lbs of raku clay, 1 large ware-board, Scrap soft bricks, Heavy gauge nichrome wire for the class to use collectively. Participants will be responsible for their own meals each day.
