The Wood Kiln
2023 Woodfire Schedule
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April 23-29
June 17-24
August 8-14 (with Ian Hazard-Bill)
September 17-24
October TBD
June 17-24
August 8-14 (with Ian Hazard-Bill)
September 17-24
October TBD
In June 2019 with the help of master kiln builder Julie Crosby, we built a 38 cu. ft. catenary arch wood kiln.
This was a two year project. After many years of oxidation firing (firing pottery in the electric kiln in an atmosphere in which oxygen is always present), I decided that my work called for a different treatment. My pots were missing something. I knew I was not fully connecting to the experience of making my pots; The process of creating forms seemed intact, but once my pots were out of the kiln they lacked some element. I began to look at them more deeply and what I experienced was a call to make pots that were better inhabited, if you will, by my life, the things that matter to me -the search for truth, the state of the soul, the planet, all living things. My first inclination was to use less fossil fuel to make my work and imbue it with the somewhat unpredictable nature of atmospheric firing (manipulating the type and quality of air in the kiln during the firing process). During a residency at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Maine, I fired atmospheric kilns, including a salt kiln, which I loved. I participated in a wood firing with friends and liked the results. I was looking at many pots and sculptures by artists doing atmospheric firing, and then I found myself looking at mostly wood fired work. I was still processing the process, so to speak..
Then began my inquiry into wood firing in earnest. Between November 2017 and October 2018 I visited a number of kilns. I became interested in a kiln designed by Marc Lancet and Masakzu Kusakabe, the Sasukanei Smokeless Wood Fire Kiln and visited Cerdeira Artist Center in Portugal to see the kiln and learn more about the center as its programs were similar to the model I was creating in Vermont.
Soon after I was fortunate to fire a similar kiln with Marc Lancet in Fairfield , CA at Solano Community College, where Marc has built an amazing ceramics program over the last 25 years. My interest was to learn more about the kiln he designed with Masakazu Kusakabe. I spent three days with Marc and his class and came away with really good information about their design and I gained a better understanding of wood firing.
Around the same time I was encouraged by my good friend, George McCauley to talk with Bede Clarke about his catenary arch kiln in Colombia, MO. When I saw Bede's wood fired pots I was moved to tears. I could clearly see the effects this type of firing would have on my work and knew it was the right direction. I called Bede and because he is of generous and good nature, he invited me to fire with him in a workshop he was hosting at his place. I sent some pots out to Missouri and arrived the day after. We loaded and fired his kiln. It was a blast. I met wonderful artists and came away knowing with no doubt that this was the right kiln design for my work and studio, and, again, gained a better understanding of wood firing.
I was pointed in the direction of Julie Crosby by my friends Hollis Engly and Kim Sheerin. Julie and I began a conversation that would continue for 9 months and by winter 2018 we agreed on a design. She arrived on June 14, 2019 and with a crew of four or five friends, we built the kiln in 10 days. I cannot say enough about Julie. She is a person of integrity and possesses an incredible work ethic. I now consider her a friend.
The kiln has been fired ten times in its first two years with a wonderful group of friends who are committed to this wild experiment. Because Covid-19 made it impossible to schedule workshops, we worked as a tiny crew, taking great care to keep each other safe. We are amazed at the effects this little kiln, now affectionately called The Pony, draws out in our pots. It is just what what I wanted for my work -closer dialogue with the process and a developing understanding of wood firing while learning the dance with uncertainty, mystery, and change.
This was a two year project. After many years of oxidation firing (firing pottery in the electric kiln in an atmosphere in which oxygen is always present), I decided that my work called for a different treatment. My pots were missing something. I knew I was not fully connecting to the experience of making my pots; The process of creating forms seemed intact, but once my pots were out of the kiln they lacked some element. I began to look at them more deeply and what I experienced was a call to make pots that were better inhabited, if you will, by my life, the things that matter to me -the search for truth, the state of the soul, the planet, all living things. My first inclination was to use less fossil fuel to make my work and imbue it with the somewhat unpredictable nature of atmospheric firing (manipulating the type and quality of air in the kiln during the firing process). During a residency at Watershed Center for Ceramic Arts in Maine, I fired atmospheric kilns, including a salt kiln, which I loved. I participated in a wood firing with friends and liked the results. I was looking at many pots and sculptures by artists doing atmospheric firing, and then I found myself looking at mostly wood fired work. I was still processing the process, so to speak..
Then began my inquiry into wood firing in earnest. Between November 2017 and October 2018 I visited a number of kilns. I became interested in a kiln designed by Marc Lancet and Masakzu Kusakabe, the Sasukanei Smokeless Wood Fire Kiln and visited Cerdeira Artist Center in Portugal to see the kiln and learn more about the center as its programs were similar to the model I was creating in Vermont.
Soon after I was fortunate to fire a similar kiln with Marc Lancet in Fairfield , CA at Solano Community College, where Marc has built an amazing ceramics program over the last 25 years. My interest was to learn more about the kiln he designed with Masakazu Kusakabe. I spent three days with Marc and his class and came away with really good information about their design and I gained a better understanding of wood firing.
Around the same time I was encouraged by my good friend, George McCauley to talk with Bede Clarke about his catenary arch kiln in Colombia, MO. When I saw Bede's wood fired pots I was moved to tears. I could clearly see the effects this type of firing would have on my work and knew it was the right direction. I called Bede and because he is of generous and good nature, he invited me to fire with him in a workshop he was hosting at his place. I sent some pots out to Missouri and arrived the day after. We loaded and fired his kiln. It was a blast. I met wonderful artists and came away knowing with no doubt that this was the right kiln design for my work and studio, and, again, gained a better understanding of wood firing.
I was pointed in the direction of Julie Crosby by my friends Hollis Engly and Kim Sheerin. Julie and I began a conversation that would continue for 9 months and by winter 2018 we agreed on a design. She arrived on June 14, 2019 and with a crew of four or five friends, we built the kiln in 10 days. I cannot say enough about Julie. She is a person of integrity and possesses an incredible work ethic. I now consider her a friend.
The kiln has been fired ten times in its first two years with a wonderful group of friends who are committed to this wild experiment. Because Covid-19 made it impossible to schedule workshops, we worked as a tiny crew, taking great care to keep each other safe. We are amazed at the effects this little kiln, now affectionately called The Pony, draws out in our pots. It is just what what I wanted for my work -closer dialogue with the process and a developing understanding of wood firing while learning the dance with uncertainty, mystery, and change.
get in touch to bring your own group to fire the wood kiln
jzsedlock@gmail.com or call: 413-652-2492
A note regarding pets: We have three rescue dogs of varied ages. Their safety and comfort is a priority for us. For this reason, we cannot allow visitors to bring pets along for retreats or workshops. We want to emphasize that we LOVE animals, dogs particularly, but we ask that you do not request to bring your pup.
Please call to discuss bringing your own group to fire the wood kiln. The guesthouse accommodates 8 comfortably. There are four bedrooms. See below for GUESTHOUSE details, but please contact the studio before booking on airbnb.
The schedule might look like this:
Sunday
arrival, intro to studio and settling in
Group supper
Monday
glazing, intro to glazing for wood fire ($35 lab fee if you're not participating as a workshop guest, ie, staying in the guesthouse for the weeklong experience)
Tuesday
wadding
Wednesday
kiln loading
Thursday
finish loading the kiln, build the door
Friday
quiet pre-firing. Good day for cooking for Saturday (potluck style meals are at the kiln during firing). Can also include: relaxing at the studio, hiking, swimming, museum visit
candling (preheat) evening
Saturday
firing
Sunday
rest and departure
Wednesday
unloading the kiln and cleanup (3-6 hour visit)
$950/per person for groups of 4-8 (50% reservation deposit is expected one month prior to arrival date)
For participation as a local artist who doesn't require housing, please contact the studio.
The schedule might look like this:
Sunday
arrival, intro to studio and settling in
Group supper
Monday
glazing, intro to glazing for wood fire ($35 lab fee if you're not participating as a workshop guest, ie, staying in the guesthouse for the weeklong experience)
Tuesday
wadding
Wednesday
kiln loading
Thursday
finish loading the kiln, build the door
Friday
quiet pre-firing. Good day for cooking for Saturday (potluck style meals are at the kiln during firing). Can also include: relaxing at the studio, hiking, swimming, museum visit
candling (preheat) evening
Saturday
firing
Sunday
rest and departure
Wednesday
unloading the kiln and cleanup (3-6 hour visit)
$950/per person for groups of 4-8 (50% reservation deposit is expected one month prior to arrival date)
For participation as a local artist who doesn't require housing, please contact the studio.
jzsedlock@gmail.com or call: 413-652-2492
Cancelation policy:
full refund until 60 days before start date.
50% refund 30 days before start date.
No refund after 30 days before start date unless participant finds replacement.
No refund after start date.
full refund until 60 days before start date.
50% refund 30 days before start date.
No refund after 30 days before start date unless participant finds replacement.
No refund after start date.