Level: Beginner - Intermediate

In this intensive, multi-session workshop, students will first attend an orientation session with instructor Denny McLaughlin where an overview of soda firing will be provided, as well as instruction on preparing the ceramic surface for this unique kind of firings with specialized slips for green-ware and glazes for bisque-ware. At the orientation, students will sign up for one 2-hour slot to experience preparing and loading work into the kiln. On the actual firing day, all students are invited to attend all, or part, of the firing. Finally, students will be expected to attend the unloading of the kiln to see the results and participate in clean-up of the kiln.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Orientation: 
Sunday, September 24, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Glazing/Slip preparation:
Wednesday, October 22, 2:00pm-3:00pm

Loading:
Sunday, October 29, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday, November 1, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday, November 2, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Firing:
Friday, November 3, 5:30 am-5:00 pm (spray @3:30pm) 

Unload, Cleanup, and Critique work:
Sunday, November 5, 11:00am - 2:00pm

WHAT MAKES SODA FIRING SO DIFFERENT?

Soda firing is similar to the cone 10 reduction firing, but with these differences. 

• The outside of the piece does not need to be glazed since the soda affect will create a finished surface without glazing.
• The soda ash will create more melting with a glaze on the outside surface, which will make some glazes more fluid causing them to run if the glaze is applied too thick.
• Not all high fire reduction glazes are suitable for soda firing.
• Since the bottoms of pieces fired in the soda kiln are wadded with a mixture of clay and alumina hydrate, more space needs to be left between the lower edge of the outside glazed area and the bottom of the piece.
• It’s a requirement to participate in either the loading or unloading and cleanup of the soda kiln if work is fired in the soda kiln.

Registration for this workshop for students enrolled in the Fall 2023 semester will begin Tuesday, September 5 at 10am. Discount codes do not apply. Cost: $100. Free for Harvard Undergrads.

More info HERE.

Register HERE.