Instructor: Christopher Smith
Sunday - Saturday
September 14 - 20
Times vary

In this workshop students will participate in all aspects of firing a train kiln. This workshop will encourage the development of skill-based learning, foster dialogue about surfaces of wood-fired ceramics and explore train kiln firing techniques. All participants will be stoking the kiln, prepping wood, and helping to clean the kiln and shelves after firing

On the first day the class will meet at the ceramics studio to glaze and slip work. We will also create a schedule together to divide up the firing into 6 hour shifts to be filled by 2-3 participants per shift. The next day participants will meet at the kiln site, discuss loading strategies and begin loading the kiln. The following day participants will start firing the kiln and continue to stoke for the next 30 - 40 hours.

Day 1: Sun 9/14 - Glaze at Castle Hill
Day 2: Mon 9/15 - Wad Work & Load kiln & prep wood
Day 3: Tues 9/16 - Brick up Door & Start Firing kiln
Day 4: Weds 9/17 - Fire Kiln
Day 5: Thurs 9/18 - Cooling (Class does not meet)
Day 6: Fri 9/19 - Cooling (Class does not meet)
Day 7: Sat 9/20 - Unload and Clean up

Christopher Smith completed his Master of Fine Arts degree at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth, Massachusetts in the spring of 2020. Prior to his graduate degree, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Maharishi University of Management in Fairfield, Iowa as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Vedic Science. Christopher’s work involves the procedures of wheel-thrown and handbuilt ceramics, atmospheric-firing conditions and locally sourced materials. Christopher also worked as an assistant to ceramic artist Chris Gustin. Selected accolades include the 2018 Karon Richardson Doherty Memorial Scholarship, 2017 George and Ellen McKinnon Scholarship, and in 2016 the Outstanding Student Award in the Field of Fine arts.