Firing Workshops in Collaboration with Studio Nioka
Jack, our Firing Guru, has professionally worked in the ceramic industry since the mid-1980s and has taken part in and led many different group firings such as Raku Firings, Pit Firings and of course Wood Firings. He has even fired a Clay House.
Raku Firing Workshop May 17th $227 + gst
Join our Raku Firing Workshop in collaboration with Jack Lätti at Studio Nioka in Research!
Upon arrival, you will be wowed by a beautifully landscaped property situated up high with vistas over the paddocks beyond. Enjoy the vast space and the smell of the lemon-scented gums, take in the surroundings which include a large Anagama Wood Fire Kiln and a carefully curated selection of garden sculptures made by Jack. After a quick meet and greet in the studio, it will be time for action.
A variety of glazing techniques will be shown, and a generous selection of over eight glazes will be available for decorating your pot. You will then dive into glazing the pots that you have brought with you or ones purchased as an add-on to the workshop with the guidance of Tania and Jack. Next, the group will help carry the pots to the kiln and watch Jack expertly load the first pots into the Raku kiln. As the kiln climbs in temperature to 800 degrees, we will wait and enjoy some morning tea. Once the kiln has reached temperature, everyone will gather around and watch the red-hot pots get removed from the kiln and plunged into coffee grounds in reduction bins.
After about an hour, the pots will cool, and it will be time to scratch around in the coffee grinds searching for our Raku Fired treasures. The pots will be covered in carbon which adds a lovely layer of drama as they will require a gentle scrub to reveal the jewel-like glazes beneath. There will be multiple firings throughout the day, and the pace will fluctuate from intense high-pressure moments of excitement to a slower-paced waiting game. This will leave opportunities for both a group lunch and conversations about the firing technique and glaze chemistry.By the end, you will leave this workshop re-energised by the beautiful landscape, inspired by the sculptures and Raku firing process as well as taking with you some glistening handmade ceramic pieces fresh from the kiln. And of course, creating connections amongst like-minded people.Most importantly, those who are looking to further their pottery/ceramic practise will leave armed with more knowledge for their pottery toolkit.
Knowledge required
This workshop is beginner-friendly but also caters to the potter who has been around the block.
What you'll get
A wide variety of Raku glazes
Learn glazing and firing techniques
Firing of between three and six small to medium pots (the making of the pots is not part of the workshop; they must be pre-made ahead of the workshop and brought along in a bisque-fired state)
Tea and coffee
Firing safety equipment
What to bring
A plate of food for a picnic-style share lunch
Natural fibre clothing
No loose or dangling clothing
Closed-toe shoes
Bisque fired pots
Bring your own bisque-fired forms. You will be allocated a combined maximum space in the kiln of 250mm x 250mm. Make enough pots to fill this space. (If you have extra pots, bring them along and you may get lucky with a little extra room).
Pots will need to fit the following requirements:
Decorative and sculptural forms only - no bowls or plates.
Closed forms with thick, robust rims are best (bottles, eggs, animals, ovoids, vases, cylinders, etc.).
Made with a highly grogged clay - White Raku is best for bright colours.
*Upon booking this Experience you will be emailed with instructions about the types of pots that are suitable for this type of firing and how to prepare them for Raku Firing.
Annual Pit Firing and a Picnic Experience August 30th $136 +gst
Join our Annual Pit Firing and a Picnic Experience in collaboration with Jack Lätti at Studio Nioka in Research!
As implied in the name, pit firing is essentially a big wood fire traditionally done in a large hole in the ground. Pit Firing is an ancient low-firing method used to turn clay pots into ceramic. Modern Pit Firings are often constructed to produce highly decorative surfaces. Pit Firing can produce a spectrum of colours imparted into the surface of the pots from the vapour of specific combustible materials and chemicals.
On the firing day, you will arrive at Studio Nioka and be directed past the Anagama Kiln and Sculpture Garden, down to the meadow where you will meet Jack and discuss the placement of your pots in the Pit. Everyone's pots will be loaded promptly into the Pit, and it will be time to start the firing!
The first hour or so of the firing will be action-packed with stoking and monitoring of the firing until the pit is shut down to smoulder. Then it will be time to pull out your picnic rugs, boil the kettle, and settle in.
Anyone with creative energy to burn is welcome to get involved in making some 'Pit Protectors', more commonly known as 'Kiln Gods', to look after our pots while we relax. While the pots are simmering, it will also be a good opportunity to roam the garden for inspiration and check out Studio Nioka and the Anagama Kiln.
After a good soak in the Pit, our pots will be ready to unload. We will all get involved in digging up the treasures from our Pit and discover the results of your efforts. There will be a debrief about results and an opportunity to clean and treat the surfaces of your pots with different varnish, wax, etc.
With a full belly, new friends, a happy heart, and beautiful pots under your arms, it will be time to head home until the next firing at Studio Nioka.
Knowledge required
This workshop is beginner-friendly but also caters to the potter who has been around the block.
What you'll get
Space in the pit firing for either 2 pots 20cm x 20cm or 8 pots 10cm x 10cm
Pre-prepared Pit and Firing
A beautiful and unique decorative surface on your creations
A day out at Studio Nioka
What to bring
Pre-made, bisque fired and 'dressed' pots
Picnic equipment
A plate of food for a picnic-style share lunch
*Upon booking this Experience you will be emailed with instructions about the types of pots that are suitable for this type of firing and how to prepare them for the pit firing.