Kiln Firing
The Chester Springs Studio wood kiln is a two-chamber noborigama, constructed in 2014 during a workshop with artist, Jim Dugan. The first chamber is fired solely with wood, and in the second chamber salt/soda is introduced. The kiln reaches cone 10 over about 24 hours. Community participants reserve shares in the firing. There are 9 shares of space within the kiln, one share is 12″ x 24″ x 30″. Please contact Matt Wren at the Chester Springs Studio with questions in regard to clay bodies, slips, and glazes suitable for the noborigama. All work must be bisque-fired.
Wood Kiln Firing Guidelines
- Maximum of 1 share per person.
- To commit to a share, email Matt Wren.
- All participants must be available for each aspect of the firing. We glaze and wad pots on Friday afternoon/evening (1pm on). Load Saturday beginning at 9am, and fire from 1pm on Saturday to about 11am Sunday (if all goes according to plan).
- One share earns you 2, 3-hour shifts at the kiln, or 6 hours. Participation in the loading, and most importantly the unloading, (unbrick door, unload pots, clean posts, grind shelves, wash shelves, sweep kiln pad, scoop out ashes, and in general put the kiln back the way it was when we started, takes about 3 hours.)
- One share is 12″ x 24″ x 30″ of kiln stacking space. Bowl and plate, wait and wait, tall and thin gets in.
2022 Wood Kiln Firing Schedule
March 5-6: Christopher Richards
March 26-27: Jackie Henisee
April 1-3: U Arts, Matt Courtney
April 9-10: Suzanne Kent
April 22: Allens Lane Art Center load Friday, unload Friday
May 1-2: Jessica Greet
May 7-8: Susan Bankert
June 4-5: Black Hound Clay Studio
June 25-26: Jackie Henisee
July 9-10: Jodi Davidson
July 23-24: Jessica Greet
September 10-11: Black Hound Clay Studio
September 17-18: Jessica Greet
September 30: Allens Lane Art Center load friday, unload Friday
October 8-9: Susan Bankert
October 15-16: Patty Baumeister, Marjorie Robbins
October 22-23: Suzanne Kent
November 5-6: Jackie Henisee
November 12-13: Susan Bankert
Community / Members Kiln Firing
All Firings and Shares for 2022 have been booked.
Check back at the beginning of next year for new listings for 2023 or contact:
Matt Wren, Ceramic Studio Supervisor
Phone: 610.827.7414 ext. 21
Email: mwren@yellowsprings.org
Limit: 9 participants
Instructor: Matt Wren, Wood Kiln Supervisor, leads firings and oversees preparations
Location: Chester Springs Studio Ceramic Studio/Wood Kiln
Cost Per Share: $150 Member, $175 Non-member
(Materials Included)
Available Shares: 9 shares (1 share is 12″ x 24″ x 30″)
Participants: Must sign up for firing shifts at Chester Springs Studio beginning
Friday afternoon and be present for kiln unloading. Sign up sheet in Studio.
Provided for Each Firing:
- Supplies:
- Slips
- Cone 10 glazes
- Wadding
- Cone packs
- Wood
- Staff:
- Wood Kiln Monitor
After confirming and reserving your space with Matt Wren you may pay by check or in cash. Make checks payable to: Historic Yellow Springs, Inc.
Private Kiln Rental (Full Kiln)
All Private Full Kiln Rentals for 2022 have been booked.
Check back at the beginning of next year for new opportunities for 2023 or contact:
Matt Wren, Ceramic Studio Supervisor
Phone: 610.827.7414 ext. 21
Email: mwren@yellowsprings.org
We ask that a $450 deposit be made to hold the date of your firing, the remaining balance must be paid by check on the date of the firing or before by credit card over the phone. Checks should be made payable to: Historic Yellow Springs, Inc.
Pricing:
- Private Rental: $1,400 (HYS Non-Member)
- Private Rental: $1,250 (HYS Member)
- Initial Deposit: $450 (both Member & Non-Member)
After confirming and reserving the kiln with Matt Wren you may pay online, by check or in cash. Make checks payable to: Historic Yellow Springs, Inc.
Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln During Construction
