Soda Firing with Denny McLaughlin - Spring 2026
Date and Time
Registration for this workshop is limited to those registered for a Spring 2026 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, February 15th, 1pm-2pm
Glazes, Slips, and Wadding demo:
Sunday, March 8th, 1pm-2pm
Loading:
Sunday, March 22nd, 2pm-4pm
Wednesday, March 25th, 3pm-5pm
Thursday, March 26th, 3pm-5pm
Firing:
Friday, March 28th (Spraying at 3pm)
Unload, Cleanup, and Critique work:
Sunday, March 29th, 11:30am-3:30pm
Cost & Registration information
Registration for this workshop is limited to those currently enrolled in a Ceramics Program course. Cost: $150; FREE for Harvard College Undergraduates. A link to register for this workshop will be sent by email to those enrolled in a Spring 2026 Ceramics Program course. Registration will open on Wednesday, February 11 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.
