Wood Firing Workshop with Suzana Lisanti

wood fired pottery by Suzana LisantiInitial meeting: Tuesday, May 31, 2022 

Additional meeting times below

Registration for this workshop is limited to those who are registered for a Summer 2022 course at the Ceramics Program, Office to the Arts at Harvard.

The act of wood firing is the oldest method of firing clay. Wood, when burned, creates ash which floats through the atmosphere of the kiln and falls on the surface of the pots. At high temperatures, the ash melts creating an ash glaze and surface decorations.  There is an exquisite beauty to wood fired pieces as the flame and atmosphere create visual depth and subtle variations.  Depending on the work, type of kiln and firing style, you can get a myriad of results that tell the history of each piece in relation to the flame and atmosphere. 

Work will be fired in a Noborigama and a Climbing Train Kiln at Canton Clay Works in Canton, Connecticut. All clay and glazes must be for cone 10 and above. The Ceramics Program's studio clays and glazes will work very well.

There is an additional charge of $0.08 per cubic inch for the work fired at the Canton kilns.  Students will reserve cubic inches in advance to guarantee our combined workshop space.  Cubic inches may be shared and traded within the workshop reserved space. Firing fee for wood kiln is separate from workshop fee and will be paid directly to Canton Clay Works. Payment to Canton Clay Works will be coordinated by your instructor.

Workshop topics

  • Introduction to wood firing, its history, traditional and contemporary work, types of kilns, and firing techniques.
  • The effect of form, slips, glazes, wadding, and placement in the kiln as it may produce different results in design, texture and surface.
  • A workshop session in the glaze room using slips, glazes, and planning for the wadding.

Optional:

  • Students may fire work in two kilns, space must be reserved at $0.08 per cubic inch.
  • Work will be transported from our studio to and from the kilns, students do not have to be present at the firing.
  • Students may visit the kiln firing in Canton, CT and participate in firing as space allows.
  • Unloading will be live-streamed on the Internet, and you may also attend in person.

Workshop Schedule

Class Sessions at the Ceramics Program in Allston, Massachusetts:

Tuesday, May 31, 2022, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday, June 14, 2022, 2pm-4pm

Tuesday, August 2, 2022, 2pm-4pm (review fired work)

Firing sessions in Canton, Connecticut

Participate in one 5-hour work shift in support of the firing either at the Ceramics Program studio in Allston or at a kiln firing in Canton, CT. You may fire your work in both kilns.

Weekend of June 24-26, 2022: Train kiln

Weekend of July 22-24, 2022: Noborigama kiln

Registration for this workshop is limited to those who are registered for a Summer 2022 course at the Ceramics Program, Office to the Arts at Harvard. Cost: $200; Free for Harvard College Undergrads.

Note: Firing fee for wood kiln is separate from workshop fee and will be paid directly to Canton Clay Works. Payment to Canton Clay Works will be coordinated by your instructor.

 

Register