top of page
Search
Writer's picturePD Packard

Firing The Wood Kilns At Alfred University

Updated: Aug 12

New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University

Summer Arts Program 2024

Wood Fire with Reduction Cool: June 24 - July 5, 2024


The class was taught by the master wood-firing potter, Lindsay Oesterritter, from Manassas, Virginia. I was introduced to her brilliant work through her book, Mastering Kilns & Firing, published in 2020, and naturally wanted to learn more directly from her. As a teacher, she is incredibly generous, knowledgeable, and inspirational. I am beyond grateful for my experience at Alfred University.


The class focused on firing the wood kilns with a reduction cooling and considerations that go into making for wood firing. Students brought bisque ware, and we also had class time to make work as well. We combined the wheel and hand building techniques and explore ideas around the unglazed surface. The two weeks were packed with demonstrations on how to prepare our work for the wood kilns, covering glazing, wadding, loading, firing, reduction cooling, unloading and cleaning our wares. We worked with high-fire stoneware, iron-rich stoneware, and other high-fire clay bodies.


Wood kilns include Train, Cross-draft, Soda, and Salt kilns.

The Train Kiln - On Saturday night, June 29th, the first firing took place.



Teacher, Lindsay Oesterritter, is adding fuel to the firebox to raise the temperature in the rear of the train kiln to match that of the front.


The Cross-draft Kiln was loaded and firing was initiated on Tuesday, July 2nd.


The kiln was initially fired with gas for the first 12 hours before transitioning to wood burning.



On Wednesday, July 3rd, the fire box was kept stoked all day, and then switched to gas burning to increase the temperature and complete the firing process.


The ceramics fired in the wood kilns made by the class.



The short film, Wood Kiln Ceramics, features the artwork I produced during my time at Alfred University.



Watch another brief film showcasing the train kiln firing during the Summer Arts Program 2024 at Alfred University.


WE START

ILLOT MOLLO

music by Moby

11 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page