Introduction to Soda Firing with Denny McLaughlin
Date and Time
Registration for this workshop is limited to those registered for a Fall 2025 course at the Ceramics Program, Office to the Arts at Harvard.
Note that this workshop meets multiple times over several weeks - check full schedule below and ensure that you can attend all required dates.
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 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 Requirement
You must participate in at least one loading session AND the scheduled unload/cleanup session to have work included in the kiln firing. 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
You must participate in at least one of the two loading sessions AND the scheduled unload/cleanup session to have work included in the kiln firing. Please check your schedule carefully before registering to ensure you can fulfill these requirements.
Orientation:
Sunday, September 28, 2025 1:00-2:00PM
Glazes, Slips, and Wadding demo:
Sunday, October 26, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Loading:
Sunday, November 2, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Wednesday, November 5, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Thursday, November 6, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Firing:
Friday, November 7, 5:30am-5 pm (spray @3:30pm)
Unload, Cleanup, and Critique work:
Sunday, November 9, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Cost & Registration information
Registration for this workshop is limited to those currently enrolled in a Ceramics Program course. Cost: $125; FREE for Harvard College Undergraduates. A link to register for this workshop will be sent by email to those enrolled in a Fall 2025 Ceramics Program course. Registration will open on Wednesday, September 10 at 10:00AM.
What makes Soda Firing different?
Soda firing is similar to 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.