Select Fridays

Obvara (Ab-Vara)

This ‘Alternative Firing Process’ originated early in the Baltic region as a firing technique to seal the porous surface of the pottery.

The bisqued pieces are brought up to about 1650 degrees and taken out of the kiln and quickly immersed into a fermented liquid, made with water, flour, yeast, and sugar. The resulting work will display colors ranging from a creamy white to deep, almost black markings that follow the flow of the liquid it is immersed in.

As with other low-temperature alternative firings Obvara pieces are purely decorative and not water-tight.

In this one-evening event, each student will glaze their own pot with a unique raku glaze. Participants will have the opportunity to pull or witness their red hot pots being taken from the raku kiln. Pots are then placed into the reduction chamber with combustibles. Participants will be able to watch the flames paint the surface of their newly fired pot. All materials will be provided.

Have a fun Friday night making your own beautiful set of stacking rings! During this workshop, everyone will learn how to size and solder sterling silver as well as gold-filled wire to create 2-3 rings. One ring will include a cabochon setting!

This workshop will cover all aspects of saggar firing as an alternative firing process. The time will be spent preparing bisqued (once fired) work for the foil saggar process. All materials will be provided, and student can purchase additional pots for $20. Barbara Powell will share what she has learned over the years and will demonstrate her refined techniques, including: designing wheel thrown pieces that work well in saggar, trimming and preparing green ware, burnishing, and the application of Terra Sigillata. Since the firing process is completed in about an hour, students’ work will be ready to take home that day and there will be lots of experimentation to add to the excitement. This workshop will offer enough time and material to explore the seemingly endless possibilities that saggar offers.

Great for beginners and a fun night out with friends and family, try your hand at Glass Fusion! In this mini-workshop, you will learn how to cut glass and properly lay out a pattern using a variety of colored glass, frit, and stingers to create a one-of-a-kind functional or decorative piece of glass art. Students 12-17 years of age require a guardian at least 21 years old. Please wear closed toes shoes, comfortable clothes, and an apron. Please wear closed-toed shoes, comfortable clothes, and an apron if you like. All materials and firings included.

Great for beginners and a fun night out with friends and family. In this workshop, students will learn how to cut glass and properly lay out a pattern using a variety of colored glass, frit, and stringers to create a one-of-a-kind, 5 x 5 functional, or decorative piece of glass in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Please wear closed-toed shoes, comfortable clothes, and an apron. All materials and firings included. Additional glass and firing schedules are available for purchase.

In this 2-hour Select Friday, students will gain the basic fundamentals of wheel work and a general understanding of the ceramic process, which includes firing & glazing. Each student will walk away having completed their very own wheel thrown creation. All supplies included – no experience necessary.

In this Friday Night Fun, students will experience the entire process of creating, glazing, and raku firing. The class begins with students glazing and loading the kiln with their complimentary vase, in preparation for the raku firing. Once the kiln is lit and heating, the wheel portion of the night begins. Students will learn to use the wheel to successfully create ceramic forms. They will be able to keep their best three creations of the night. After the wheel throwing, the red-hot kiln will be opened, and the glowing pots placed into combustion chambers, where the fire will create beautiful copper glaze results. Fired and glazed souvenir pots will also be available for $20 at the end of class.

In this one-evening event, each student will glaze their own pot with a unique raku glaze. Participants will have the opportunity to pull or witness their red hot pots being taken from the raku kiln. Pots are then placed into the reduction chamber with combustibles. Participants will be able to watch the flames paint the surface of their newly fired pot. All materials will be provided.

Shibori is the ancient Japanese technique of creating patterns by binding, stitching, folding and twisting fabric during the dyeing process. Students will learn some basic traditional techniques such as Kumo and Itajime using commonly available commercial dyes. Students will experiment on a set of tea towels and are welcome to bring in additional items to dye. All items brought from home should be white or light colors.

*Please dress expecting to get messy and wet. Bring a smock, over shirt or apron, and wear comfortable shoes.