Alternative Firing Workshops
These workshops delve into what is called “Alternative Firing” of pottery. With each workshop alternating between a Pit or Saggar firing, your bisqueware will be
Saggar Firing, which is putting a pottery into a container - called a saggar - and placing other combustible materials in the saggar to give the pottery unique colors and effects. At the same time, we will use horse hair and feathers to decorate pots with unique smoke designs.
Pit Firing, as the name implies, will be done the old-fashioned way in a pit with a small bonfire. It is quite exciting to see these pieces come out, you never know how they will look but they are always interesting and unique.
Students will need to bring 2 or 3 bisqued pottery pieces. The pieces need to have been made with Cone 5 or 6 clay. Pieces should not be larger than 9”x9”. Pottery made out of white clay can be very dramatic but any color clay produces great results.
CLASS DETAILS
Enrollment Open
Dates & Times:
See upcoming listings!
Location:
Rockwood Ceramics Pavilion, Studios of LeMoyne (417 E. Call St.)
Instructor:
Grant Gelhardt
$90 for members |
$100 for non-members
Tuition:
Supplies:
Please bring bisque-fired ceramics that meet the below criteria for raku firing. Firing supplies included in workshop tuition!
For students ages 18+
Meet the Instructor
Grant Gelhardt
A little background on Grant Gelhardt, he studied art at FSU and was the Director of the CPE Pottery Studio at FSU for 7 years. A long time ago, he taught pottery classes at LeMoyne, and is now returning. He has a small studio at his house and has been doing pit firing for the last 20 years. Artist Statement I am drawn to pit firing because I see each firing as an adventure. As the name suggests, the pots are placed in a pit dug into the earth and then a bonfire is built around the pots. I use different types of clay and add chemicals and various combustible materials to the fire and the results are unique pieces of ceramic art. When I am sitting around the fire pit, I am able to affect what the results may be, but the final results are really up to the whim of the fire. Each piece of pottery takes its own journey through the firing process and finding itself - each is a unique statement. There are no two pieces that are alike, nor would I ever want any two pieces to be the same. I see the process as a journey and an adventure.
