Barrel Firing Collaboration Workshop

Barrel Firing Collaboration Workshop

January 4, 2025 // 10am – Late Afternoon // 280 S Saint Paul St. Hamilton, VA 20158

$100 / 10 Total Spots

All Materials Included

Join us for a day of barrel firing! In this workshop you will learn how to barrel fire pots- a modified version of the ancient technique of pit firing. Unlike other barrel firing workshops I have done in the past, this workshop will be a collaboration!

Participants will learn to treat their pots with colorants, copper wire and organic materials. After an explanation of treatments, a timer will be set for 2 minutes. When the timer goes off, you will move to the next pot and add a treatment of your choice. Each participant will have a hand in treating each others’ one-of-a-kind pots- a true collaboration!

After the pots are treated we will learn how to prepare the barrels for a successful firing. Once the barrels are loaded and lit they will burn down most of the afternoon. When cool enough to be removed, the pots will be washed, waxed and sealed.

Barrel fired pots are not food safe and will not hold water. The pots you create in this workshop are one-of-a-kind works of art and cannot be replicated.

***IMPORTANT***

Participants will be provided 5 pounds of Raku clay and Terra Sigillata. Please make ONE large hand-built or wheel-thrown pot, no more than 12″ tall (closed or semi-closed forms with no texture work best, like vases or bottles). Pots must be made of the Raku clay provided, treated with Terra Sigillata (brush on two coats and buff on dry greenware), and bisque fired to 08.

I will be doing an 08 bisque fire at my home studio. All pots must be bone dry, ready and treated, and delivered to my home studio by Friday December 22. This will be the only 08 bisque firing I will be doing, so if you pots are not ready by then it will be your responsibility to have them bisque fired elsewhere before the workshop. Collect some organic materials in your spare time- pine needles, seaweed, eggshells, dried flowers, etc.

This is an all-day event and we will be outside, so please dress accordingly and bring a camping chair. Please also bring a dish or snack to pass. While the barrels burn it will be a great opportunity to meet and hang out with other potters from different studios. Masks are optional but recommended.

Please contact Erin McQuary at erinnicholew@gmail.com to arrange pickup of your materials or with any questions you may have. Looking forward to seeing everyone and creating some one-of-a-kind pots- what a great way to kick off the new year!!!