Soda Firing Workshop with Louis Reilly
Clay 'A'
Clay 'B'
See Louis' work at louisreillystudio.com
Participants will have an in-depth and hands-on opportunity to learn how to fire the KC Clay Guild Soda Kiln using custom clay bodies.
Louis Reilly completed a MFA in Ceramics in 2013 with soda firing as the focus of his thesis. Louis worked on developing unique clay bodies that interact with the sodium vapor in the kiln to form beautiful surfaces without the application of slip or glaze. In this workshop, Louis will share his graduate research with the students. Students in the workshop will gain an understanding of firing the KC Clay Guild Soda Kiln with great results!
June 19 2023, last day to drop off work for bisque firing:
This is the deadline for making pieces from the custom clays and dropping off your finished work on the greenware shelf at KC Clay Guild. Leave a note with your pieces that states they are for the 'soda firing workshop'.
May 12, 2023, custom clays available:
Students create pots using Louis' custom clay bodies and have them bisque fired. For the first time there will be two different clay bodies given to students that both achieve very different surfaces (reference images above). Students receive 12.5 pounds of each clay When you pick up your clay from the clay closet get one bag of 'A' clay and one bag of 'B' clay. Clay 'A' is the one that flashes yellow. Do not mix the clay bodies.
Students will have free access to studio to make pieces. Pieces with smooth surfaces, broad planes, and clean shapes will take on the most dynamic surfaces. Pieces with texture also look great and will have really nice contrast.
Saturday, June 24th, 4pm-7pm:
-Short lecture on loading and firing the kiln
-Glaze interior of pots
-Load kiln using wading, seashells
-Candle kiln overnight
Sunday, June 25th, 6am-9pm:
-Hands-on firing of kiln
-Prepare soda mixture
-Artist Talk after body reduction, before soda introduction
Wednesday, June 28th, 5:30pm-7:30pm
-Unload kiln
-Kiln clean up
Fee: $200 for members, $250 for non-members
12 participant limit
Studio time to make pots included
12.5 pounds of 2 different custom clay bodies included
Each participant allotted 24”x12”x8” kiln space - example: 4 mugs, 2 dinner plates, and a small vase
Cancellation with refund is not available for this workshop.
A few notes:
-Wear closed-toe shoes during the workshop
-Bring a respirator if you have one
-The more time you spend at the kiln during the firing, the more you will learn. If you hope to learn how to fire this kiln, plan on being at KCCG all day on Sunday.
Questions? studio@kcclayguild.org
