Pit Firing with Kittery Point Potters and PCMS
About this Event
Pit Firing with Kittery Point Potters and Port City Makerspace
Monday Aug 17 5pm-8pm
Session 1: Get Ready!
Join Joann Kern to learn how to apply burnished Terra sigillata (“sealed earth”) to your firm leather-hard vessel. This surface treatment has been used for over 2000 years to provide smooth, glassy surfaces to vessels fired in rustic conditions. Vessels can be wheel-thrown or hand-built. We will learn how to make terra sigillata and how to use various burnished tools to shine our ware. White or light colored stoneware is best to capture the magic of open flame firing. Pit-fired pieces will not be fully vitrified so aren’t food-safe. No experience necessary!
Bring 2-3 leather-hard and trimmed pieces you have previously made, each measuring roughly 8x8x8 or smaller. We will finish them together, ensure they are ready for the rugged pit fire, and I will bisque fire them later in the week, carefully pack them, and transport them to the site.
Saturday August 22 anytime between 2pm and 10 pm
Location: Offsite at Kittery Point Beach
Session 2: Let’s Go!
With the strike of a match, the magic begins and we fire into the moonlight! Starting in the afternoon, all vessels will be laid in a sawdust-cushioned pit, layered with combustible material (stay tuned for some unusual requests for organic combustibles) surrounded by sand, and slowly warmed with a ramping fire. The pit should be burned out shortly after dark. Depending on cooling time, we will either take our vessels home that night, or I will arrange pickup the next day.
Folks that don't have a “pot in the pit” can come to the firing day, join in some camaraderie, enjoy an afternoon at the beach!
Class participants will want/need to come for at least a couple hours on firing”day but don't have to stay for all 8 hours
Nothing in ceramics is ever guaranteed. Pit firings are dramatic and the ware is subjected to drastic temperature changes and violent molecular changes. Let’s see what the kiln gods have in store for us!
Weather: we will proceed during a cloudy or misty day. If there is continuous hard rain, or the town of Kittery institutes a “fire ban” due to drought conditions, we will postpone the firing day to later!
Instructor: Joann Kern
Please wear clothes to get dirty in and closed or reinforced-toed shoes.
Registration closes two (2) days before the event.
Attendees can receive refunds up to 7 days before your event start date.
Active members receive 15% off class list price with code: MEMBER
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 161.90
