Introduction to Soda Firing Workshop #3

Registration for this workshop is limited to those registered for a Fall 2024 course at the Ceramics Program, Office to the Arts at Harvard.

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.

Participation Requirements:

You must participate in at least one of the two loading sessions AND the unload/cleanup session to take this Soda Firing Workshop. Please check your schedule carefully before registering to ensure you can fulfill these requirements.
 

Space Limitations:

While we make every effort to accommodate a variety of work by each participant in the workshop, the size of the kiln limits what can be fired. We cannot guarantee that every piece you produce for the workshop will be included in the firing.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Orientation:

Sunday, September 29th, 2024, 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Glazing/Slip preparation:

Sunday, October 13th*, 1:00pm-2:00pm
*new date - was originally listed as October 20.

Loading:

Sunday, November 3rd, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday, November 6th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday, November 7th, 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Firing:

Friday, November 8th, 5:30 am-5:00 pm (spray @3:30pm)

Unload, Cleanup, and Critique work:

Sunday, November 10th, 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 is limited to those enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester. Cost: $125 for those enrolled in the Fall 2024 term; FREE for Harvard College Undergraduates. A link to register for this workshop will be sent by email on Wedensday August 21 at 10:00am to those enrolled in a Fall 2024 course.