Coastal Claymakers AUGUST woodfiring at TAFE Coffs Harbour, TAFE NSW

A woodfire experience with the support of TAFE Coff Harbour. Over 3 weekends you will learn to pack, fire and unpack a wood fired kiln.
About this Event

In August, we will be holding a woodfiring at TAFE Coffs Harbour. It will be the last firing in this long serving kiln before the whole arts and ceramics campus is moved to the CHEC Campus next year.

Local woodfiring expert Phil Greed will lead the whole proces which takes place over 3 weekends in August.

Coastal Claymakers members are invited to register for this great learning opportunity which includes preparing work for firing, learning about the process, packing and firing the kiln, witnessing the opening of the kiln once it has cooled and discussing the results.

As always, the Coastal Claymakers evernts are an opportunity to connect, share ideas and build some new skills. The woodfiring program schedule will unfold as follows:

Date: Sat & Sun 17-18 August
Time: 10am - 4pm both days.
Learn from teacher/expert Phil Greed who will outline the process of woodfiring. This includes how to prepare your work, prepare the kiln, glaze your bisqued pots and pack the kiln.
Date: Sat 24 August:
Time: At around 5am - Phil will light the kiln.
The kiln will reach temperature between midnight and 2am.It's a long day of camaraderie and hot drinks (and participants are invited to bring food to share). All participants are expected to take part in the roster of shifts to man the kiln throughout the firing.
Date: Sat 31 August:
Time: 10 - 2pm
The kiln door will be opened and unpacked. Phil will talk through some of the outcomes of the firing and discuss how the firing affected the results on work.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW

This is a members only event. New members are always welcome. Click here if you would like to join. If you are currently enrolled in the Diploma of Ceramics at Coffs Harbour TAFE, there is a student discount.
All participants who register are expected to take part in a roster for the Saturday firing. It is a long day and a shared effort is required to make it work.
All participants will sign in to the event and agree to follow the event wood firing safety rules.
All particpants need to attend Saturday 17 August for a kiln and safety briefing.
Covered shoes and suitable protective clothes need to be worn during the firing.
As this is a group event, each person will have a limited number of pieces included in the firing. Each participant will be allowed at least six pieces that are no more that 20 cm in height or width. Bottle or vase forms are good as are bowls and cups. Small sculptures are also good. A variety of sizes is beneficial for packing the kiln.
Please note: Plates and platters are not suitable as they taken up too much space in the kiln.
All work should be made from stoneware clay and needs to be bisque fired beforehand. You can either glaze your work using TAFE glazes on the weekend of the 17-18 August or leave work unglazed and see how the firing affects the surface.
If you have particular questions about the workshop, please contact Cath Fogarty on [email protected]

Check out the short video on the instagram link below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmDEZDRH6RP/?igsh=N2ozZXFmMzI5bDZz