Photos by Max Kelly
* This workshop takes place over 2 days. Please be sure you will be able to attend part one on Sunday, February 23rd from 2-4pm, and Saturday, February 29th at 3:00pm for part two of this workshop. *
In part one, I will teach you the fundamentals of hand-building and assist you in the creation of several ceramic pieces. In this session, we will discuss the history, science, and tips for several smoke-firing techniques including saggar firing, pit firing, and barrel firing.
In part two of this workshop (on Saturday, February 29th), all workshop attendees will meet at Co-Lab Project’s Glissman Road property, located at 5419 Glissman Road at 3:00pm. I will have all of the pieces you created in part one of the workshop and lead you through the process of prepping your pieces for the pit firing. All materials needed will be provided, but you are free to bring your own firing ingredients if you wish. We will wrap and load the pieces into the pit and start the firing. Guests are welcome to stay and hang out by the fire, but pieces will not be unearthed until the following day (Sunday, March 1st). Feel free to meet us back at the property for the unveiling of your pieces between noon and 1pm on Sunday, or come by Broad Studios any evening over the following week to pick up your smoke-fired piece(s).
*Please note that due to the nature of this firing technique, pieces will be purely decorative and will not be able to hold liquid. Also, results are nearly impossible to control, so be willing to embrace the beautiful but unpredictable markings this process creates! I can’t wait to create some smoke-fired magic with you all!
If you would like to get inspiration from some artists who create beautiful smoke-fired work, I have linked them below: