WOOD FIRING:
Surface & Kiln Design Considerations
with Robin Dupont
February 9-23, 2025
From making small, refined intimate objects to making large ornamental forms, this course is designed to expand your perception of the relationship of developing forms specific for the wood kiln, to be fired atmospherically. Participants will learn how decisions made during the making and loading steps can affect the surfaces created in a wood kiln and examine historical and contemporary atmospheric ceramics to better understand the relationship of surface and form. The workshop will also include discussion of various contemporary wood kiln designs and how kiln design influences process and ultimately surface results.
Participants will have time to create work in the first week to contribute to and participate in a ~50 hour wood firing of the Gayagama. Week two will require active involvement from all participants in the loading and firing.
Robin DuPont is a ceramic artist and educator who has been recognized internationally for his contributions to the genre of atmospheric firing in the last 25 years. With a Masters Degree from Utah State University (2011), Robin has participated and led several artist-in-residence programs, research and work studies abroad, and has professional experience in kiln building and teaching at the post-secondary level.
TUITION: USD $2200 inclusive of all studio materials, glazes and firings, catered lunches, welcome dinner, and excursions around the island. We will assist in making recommendations for bookings for nearby hotels, bungalows or home-stays in convenient proximity to Gaya studio (accommodation is not included in tuition).
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - WOOD FIRING: Surface & Kiln Design Considerations
Sunday, February 09: Welcome Dinner MOKSA Restaurant
6:00 pm Opportunity to connect and meet other participants. Robin will provide an artist talk and highlights of his 20+ years making, building and firing atmospheric kilns. An overview of the workshop schedule will also be shared.Monday, February 10: Studio & Kiln Introduction, Making begins
Studio set up and kiln tour. Orientation around the Gayagama kiln design, and insights shared into how various kiln designs differ in surface development.
Lunch- 12.30
Individual making begins.Tuesday, February 11: Form Matters - Clay demo & discussion, Individual making
Robin will demo making larger forms and include coil building and composite throwing techniques. Discussion of importance placed on making a variety of complimentary forms (size and proportions) to suit design of kiln. Specific emphasis will be on making for unique regions of the kiln.
Lunch- 12.30
Individual making continues.Wednesday, February 12: Marking Making with Flame - Clay demo & discussion, Individual making
Robin will demo and discuss mark making techniques with the flame in mind. Making specific objects to create shadows in effort to orchestrate flame path to create marks for surface development.
Lunch- 12.30
Discussion of kiln furniture and decorative wadding techniques. Individual Making continues.Thursday, February 13: Letting Go - Clay demo & discussion, Individual making
Robin will demo forms and throwing techniques that encourage deconstructing structure and letting go of control to embrace qualities of the material and allowing the material to have its voice.
Lunch- 12.30
Discussion will also involve techniques around including aggregates and additives to clay bodies. Individual Making continues.Friday, February 14: Finish all forms for firing
Last day for making. Finishing up all the pieces from yesterday.Lunch- 12.30
All pieces should be finished for firing, and set out wares for loading kiln side.
Saturday, February 15: Load
Robin will facilitate a discussion around loading process and include strategies for surface development with loading considerations and techniques. Working in shifts, Robin will lead the loading process and continue discussion around decision making that accentuates form and flame interaction.
Lunch- 12.30
Loading the Gayagama.
Sunday, February 16: Load
Participants will be assigned shifts to assist Robin in loading of wares.
Lunch- 12.30
Loading continues.
Monday, February 17: Finish Load, Begin Firing
Loading continues, concluding in the fire box stack.
Lunch- 12.30
Door is bricked and sealed in preparation for overnight candling.
Tuesday, February 18: Fire
First full day of firing in 6 hr shifts.
Lunch- 12.30
Low-mid range temperatures through day and night.
Wednesday, February 19: Fire
Firing continues at high temperatures. Sustaining heat, working back side stoke ports to reach peak temperatures.
Lunch- 12.30
Discussion and decisions made around cooling techniques and strategies.
Thursday, February 20: Cool
Cooling of kiln. Tour to Gaya CAD production.
Lunch- 12.30
Friday, February 21: Excursion Day
While the kiln cools, an excursion–a chance to experience Bali outside the studio, beauty, inspiration, relaxation...
Saturday, February 22: Unload, Post-firing Discussion
Participatory unload of wares, discussion results and lessons learned.
Lunch- 12.30
Post-firing clean up and finishing techniques (cleaning and polishing).
Sunday, February 23: Conclusion discussion
Workshop debrief and discussion of experience. Final clean up, photographing of work and packing (packing
materials provided).
Lunch- 12.30
Departure day..
**Details of schedule may be subject to change, but overall content will remain constant.