REGISTRATION OPENS:

Thursday, February 8 at noon

One of seven courses available for the May 9 – 12, 2024
MCA Weekend Workshop @ Haystack

Soda Firing

Currently Full Waitlist Only

Instructor: Tyler Gulden
Haystack Studio: Ceramics
Enrollment Limit: 14
Materials Fees: $40 – $65 (See Materials Fees + List Below) 
Level: All Levels 

Class Description:

This hands-on workshop will focus on the exciting process of soda firing. The instructor will walk you through the entire process – explanation and application of flashing slips, application of glazes and effects of soda on glazes, wadding and loading strategies, operation of the kiln, controlling the kiln reduction atmosphere, timing and method of spraying soda into the kiln and cooling. Tyler will also cover basic materials and mixing of flashing slips and glazes, troubleshooting to avoid mistakes.

Together the class will load and fire Haystack’s new 40 cuft down-draft soda kiln, learning the key steps in cone 10 soda firing. During the two days the kiln fires and cools the class will work in the pottery studio, making and sharing ideas throughout each day. Unloading and discussing results on the last day will be a real treat!

Each participant should bring approximately 1.5 cuft of bisque fired cone 10 suitable stoneware and/or porcelain pots (think three clay boxes worth of work, without packing material). Open to beginner to experienced potters and clay sculptors wanting to experience soda firing.

Materials + Fees:

Participants in this workshop will have two options to select from for the studio materials fee. MCA staff will contact registered participants after the registration date to confirm their selection. You will receive two invoices, one for materials at a later date and one for tuition and accommodations.

Materials List + Fees Option #1: $40.00

– Approximately 1.5 cuft of bisque fired cone 10 suitable stoneware and/or porcelain pots (think three clay boxes worth of work, without packing material).

– Additional clay for the workshop. When choosing this option students will also be responsible for the purchase and transport of their own 25 – 50 lbs box of clay and are responsible for removing any leftover clay at the end of the workshop.  The $40 fee covers the studio lab fee and other materials supplied by the instructor.

Participants are expected to bring:
– Your favorite throwing tools
– A hand towel
– An apron
– Packaging to transport your work

Materials List + Fees Option #2: $65.00

– Approximately 1.5 cuft of bisque fired cone 10 suitable stoneware and/or porcelain pots (think three clay boxes worth of work, without packing material).

– Students will be supplied with one 25 lbs bag of Laguna B Mix. MCA will take care of the transport to the Haystack Campus. Participants should plan on removing any extra clay and or scraps at the end of the workshop. The $65 fee covers the studio lab fee, other materials supplied by the instructor, and the bag of B Mix 10 Clay.

Participants are expected to bring:
– Your favorite throwing tools
– A hand towel
– An apron
– Packaging to transport your work

About the Instructor-

Tyler Gulden is a ceramic artist, art educator and administrator. He studied ceramics at Alfred University and University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and has been a resident artist at notable craft centers like Peters Valley Craft Center, Haystack Mtn School of Crafts and Watershed.

A ceramic artist, arts educator and arts advocate, he has conducted workshops throughout Maine for children and adults, in addition to professional development workshops for teachers and artists, through the Watershed Mudmobile program.  Other teaching includes workshops and lectures at Bowdoin College, Tabor Academy, Maine College of Art, Portland Pottery, and a position as Lecturer in Visual Arts and Culture at Bates College.

Tyler worked for 12 years in arts administration at Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts in Newcastle, Maine ending his tenure as Executive Director in October 2012.

Tyler’s functional ceramics are exhibited internationally in group and juried exhibitions.  His current work follows the tradition of salt firing, in combination with the more contemporary process of soda firing, capitalizing on the unique color and surface variations that are a natural product of the process.