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PIT FIRE EVENT
Pit firing event, at IRC! The event will take place on Saturday morning, 9 am, on June 13th. Participants are invited to bring several, small, bisqued pieces for the firing. Everyone will get a minimum of 1 cubic foot of space in the pit. If additional space is available, more pots can be fired. Member cost is $35 and non-members is $45. All materials, other than pieces to be fired, will be provided. If you have special organic materials you would like to use with your pots, feel free to bring them.
On the day of the event we will prepare the pieces for the pit by adding organic materials, oxides and other colorants and by wrapping each piece in foil, before placing it in the pit. Once the pieces are loaded in the pit they will be covered with wood and the fire will be started. We plan to bank the fire around mid-day and allow everything to cool. We will re-convene the following morning, at 9 am, to dig up our pots and see the results.
Ceramic pit firing is an ancient, low-temperature method of firing unglazed pottery in a dug hole, surrounded by organic materials like sawdust, wood, and metal oxides. It produces non-functional, unique, smoky, and unpredictable surface colors, often finishing with wax for a glossy look.
Key Aspects of Pit Firing:
- Preparation: Pots must be bisque-fired. It is preferred, but not necessary, for work to be burnished or have a terra sigillata coating.
- The Pit: A hole is dug, often lined with materials to protect the pots, such as metal sheets, broken pottery (shards), or sand.
- Packing: Pots are placed in the pit and surrounded with combustibles like wood, sawdust, leaves, dried manure, or salt for varied colors. Copper carbonate, iron oxide, or ferric chloride can be added for specific coloration.
- Firing: A fire is built on top, allowing it to burn down into hot coals, which keeps the pots red-hot. The process often takes several hours, followed by a long cooling period.
- Best Practices: Preheat pots around the fire to prevent cracking. A reduction atmosphere, created by covering the pit with metal or more fuel, creates dark, smoked effects.
Common Pit Firing Pitfalls & Tips:
- Cracking: Small, rounded pots are safer, as large pieces often crack due to thermal shock. Very fragile pots/sculptures, or fine protrusions, should be avaided.
- Finishing: After cleaning the cooled pieces, they can be waxed and buffed for a smooth, polished, or glossy finish.
Pre-Registration is required.
Please review our Studio Policies
Facilitated by: Maria Sparsis, Bea Deluca, Marko Barron
Skill level: All Levels
Cost: $35 members / $45 non-members / $20 observers
Event Dates: Saturday & Sunday, June 13 & 14
Time: 9:00am - ?
Length of Event: 2 sessions
Location: 1239 16th Street, Vero Beach