Atmospheric Firing with Wood and Soda

Dates: January 30 - April 17 (12 classes | 14 weeks)

Course Description: Explore the history, ceramic forms, and processes of atmospheric firing with wood and soda in this class designed for Intermediate-Advanced students.  Learn about forms that invite beautiful results in atmospheric firing, prepare work using studio slips and glazes, and participate in loading and firing the kilns.  Students must have demonstrated ability to create on the wheel or hand building and be certified in firing studio electric kilns. Class time will allow students to develop their own work with support from instructors. There will be at least one class soda firing at the Harvard studio during the term and a wood fire at Canton Clay Works in Connecticut.  Students are guaranteed a ½ template per person of firing space (approximately 3,000 cubic inches) in the wood kiln.  The firing fee for the wood kiln has been added to the registration fee for this class.  If needed, additional space in the wood kiln can be purchased directly from Canton Clay Works.  

Materials List:

• Basic Pottery Tool Kit
• Apron
• Small Towel
• Notebook/Sketchbook

Tool Purchases:

Here is the list of available tools and materials at the Ceramics Program. You may also consider ordering from a local supplier (Sheffield Pottery, Amherst Pottery Supply or Portland Pottery). If you have questions, please email Ji-Eun Kim directly at jikim@fas.harvard.edu.

Course Fees:

Course Fees: $150 for Harvard College Undergraduate Students; $780 for Harvard Graduate Students; $1,400 for Adult Community; Harvard Employee TAP Regular and Long Service - follow instructions in online registration system for pricing.

Your course fee covers all clays (terra cotta, midrange, high fire stoneware, sculpture body, porcelain, and midrange casting slip), bisque firing, glazes, and glaze firing up to 8600 cu. inches of kiln space for 14 weeks, as well as 7-day access to the Ceramics Program and its equipment from the start date of your class through May 2nd. All are welcome to apply to participate in the Spring Show and Sale May 8 – 11th, 2025!  Note: This course fee also covers the cost of wood-firing at Canton Clayworks!

• Adult Community: 18+, General Public; Harvard alumni, fellows, faculty/staff, and post-docs who are not TAP-eligible; Harvard Extension School students; students from universities other than Harvard
• Harvard Employees eligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP): TAP regular (employees worked less than 15 years) and TAP long service (employees who worked 15 or more years at Harvard). 
• Harvard College Undergraduate Students: Currently enrolled students at Harvard College. This does not include Harvard Extension School Undergraduate Students. You must register with your Harvard email – we can arrange for an alternative email to be used for class after registration is complete.
• Harvard Graduate Students: Currently enrolled students in a Harvard University Graduate Program. This does not include Harvard Extension School Graduate Students.

Registration will begin on November 13th at 2pm.

Login and Register

All registered students will receive a confirmation with class syllabus one week prior to the start date.

Questions?

• For questions regarding course content, policies, staffing or facilities, please contact Director, Kathy King.
• For questions regarding registration, purchase of tools and materials, please contact Administrative Coordinator, Ji-Eun Kim.
• For questions regarding electric kiln certification, materials, studio equipment and safety policies, please contact Operations Coordinator, Mary Cale Wilson.