Only 7 spaces are available… Don’t wait to sign up!
Meals are not available for this session. Limited lodging is available.
Participants bring their bisque-fired works, Touchstone provides all other wood firing materials. **Make sure to review the Community Wood Firings info page on our website for full details regarding kiln shifts, safety, and what exactly you must bring with you to the wood firing.**
Each Community Wood Firing welcomes ceramic artists of all skill levels, from novices to professionals. Handbuilders, wheel throwers, sculptors, and anyone in-between are encouraged to register and experience firing Touchstone’s two-chamber noborigama kiln. Participants will be introduced to all necessary steps of a successful wood firing: how to glaze (or leave a piece raw!), wadding, kiln loading techniques, lighting a kiln, stoking the kiln, working kiln shifts, kiln safety, soda mixing techniques, stoking soda, down-firing/reduction cooling with wood, wood stacking and drying, working with a team, kiln unloading, and sanding your wares, plus discussions about materials.
Each participant is REQUIRED to bring 5 cubic feet of work. No work larger than 18 inches (any direction) will fit in Touchstone’s kiln. You are encouraged to experiment with different sizes from very small to a couple of “larger” objects. Touchstone supplies all glazes and wadding. Instructors may reject any glazes or material you bring from home for it could melt and cause damage to other participants work as well as damage the kiln or the shelving. All Touchstone glazes have been formulated and trialed multiple times in both chambers of our kiln.
*All work must be cone 10 clay; wood firing clay recommended. All work must be bisque fired!*
5 cubic feet roughly fills a 6ft folding table.
(Visual Examples of 5 cu. ft. : three old-school soda crates, four bread crates, four 50kg cement bags)
Community Wood Firings Additional Information
Successful firings require a tight schedule, attention to detail, and team work. A typical schedule is below:
Day 1
9:00 a.m. Session begins with introductions, unpacking pots, & glazing
12:00 p.m. Talk about wadding & finish glazing
4:00 p.m. Carrying your work to the kiln & loading kiln
10:00 p.m. Lighting the kiln, firing begins
Days 2 & 3
We will work around-the-clock shifts after 10:00 p.m. on the first day. When you are not working a shift at the kiln, you are still welcome to stay at the kiln to relax and learn or simply hang out. We also encourage you to check out Touchstone’s beautiful campus and other attractions in the Laurel Highlands. You may work on your own clay projects, although no raw clay, firings, and/or any other materials will be provided by Touchstone for this.
Shifts:
Firing the kiln requires moving heavy objects (up to 30lbs) and being on your feet for long periods of time. Lighting the kiln starts the first shift. Each shift is 6 hours, with at least one participant and one instructor always present. You will never be at the kiln by yourself. Each person is required to work two shifts and will sign up for shift timeslots (in-person) before the kiln is loaded. When you are working your shift, it is necessary to be ready to stoke, listening for instruction, attentive, and wearing all safety gear (gloves and glasses). Safety comes first as working around the kiln can be dangerous, there are open flames and interior temperatures reaching 2,350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Safety:
Wear cotton! 100% cotton is the easiest and most common fabric for flame resistance around the kiln. Wool is another great option and wool/cotton blends will also work. ***Polyester and other synthetics are not only flammable, but they have the tendency to melt!***
Along with your bisque-fired works, be sure to bring the following required for participation:
- Boots or sturdy shoes (no open toes, no exceptions)
- Safety glasses
- Welding gloves, leather/hide work gloves
- Snacks and water; Stay Hydrated!
- Anything else listed in the Touchstone Participant Guide as required/recommended (You’ll receive this with your emailed registration confirmation.)
