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Class Length: One day, 10am - 2pm on Saturday, May 9thTuition: $90 (+ $30 materials fee)
Class Description: Obvara firing is a pottery technique, originating in Eastern Europe, that involves quickly cooling a heated, bisqued pot by immersing it in a fermented mixture of flour, sugar, yeast, and water, then quenching it in water. This process creates unique, earthy patterns and textures on the pottery's surface. While the technique seals the clay, the pottery is generally not considered food-safe or waterproof and is best suited for decorative purposes.
We hope to fire the kiln at least two-three times during our workshop. This will take time. Be prepared to help in all facets of this process, but there will be time to relax while the firing occurs. When you help pull red hot pots from a kiln, you will need cotton clothing, hair ties, and a strong heat tolerance. The area will be hot as we plunge the pots into the yeast mixture and then quench the pots in water. If the pots are not strong, they can crack and even burst so you should use clay like stoneware with a grog in the clay. This is an active environment where attention to heat, people, and processes is needed. It’s a blast!
Obvara Workshop Prep:
Before the day of the firing, students should consider doing the following to their pots for the best results:
Easy prep: Consider burnishing your pots at the leatherhard stage for a polished, dark and smooth result after firing.
Intermediate: Apply Terra Sigilatta to your pots at bone dry stage and then burnish for the most vivid results.
Advanced: Consider adding texture to your pots with sodium silicate, while forming on the potter's wheel, for a textured, layered result.
Age Limitations: Ages 16 through adult
Supplies: BYOB - Bring your own BISQUEWARE! Bring your pots that have already gone through the bisque kiln. There is a limit of 6 small to medium-sized bisque vessels per person. (Small equals 5” or smaller/ Medium equals up to 8”/ larger than this counts for two pieces. NO FLAT WORK.) Early arrival is encouraged to ensure your pieces have the best chance to get fired! All participating students should wear cotton clothing, use hair ties to tie back long hair, and will be required to wear protective gloves when unloading their pots.
Teachers: Deb Balestreri
Student Limit: 10
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Event Venue
Corgi Clay Art Center, 25 Tech Pkwy, Stafford, VA 22556-8620, United States
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