Description

Concessions ticket: Found Clay Glazes with Natalia Kasprzycka

Please note the concession rate is reserved for those who have recently graduated, are in financial need and could not otherwise afford the course fee. If this does not apply to you, please book a full price ticket and leave the limited number of concessionary rate tickets to those who need them. You can book a full price ticket here.

Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th August

9:30am – 4:30pm at Clay College, Middleport Pottery

Join Natalia Kasprzycka for an intensive 3-day course understanding clay as a glaze material. This course will allow you to build knowledge and understanding of formulating glazes with found clays, with an opportunity to bring your own materials to experiment in the class. You’ll leave with a set of test tiles fired during the class by our group.

Although clay and glaze often appear to us as separate, clays are a crucial material in glaze-making. During the course, we will work with found clays from across the UK (and beyond) and delve deep into how their properties influence the quality of glaze surfaces. We will discuss the chemistry and geology of clays as well as what happens to them under the heat of the kiln.

We will fire our tests in both an electric and gas kiln and compare results from the different atmospheres they provide – oxidation and reduction. No previous experience in firing is required but basic understanding of glaze chemistry is encouraged. You are very welcome to bring your own materials to the class. Please get in touch beforehand and you will receive some instructions on processing prior to the course.

Schedule

Day 1

Welcome and introduction

Introduction to the testing methods

Making glazes

Packing the kiln

Day 2

Firing the kilns

Talk on the geology and chemistry of clays

Discussing the theory of firing and the differences between oxidation and reduction

Day 3

Unpacking the kiln

Discussing the results

 

About Natalia Kasprzycka

Nata is a Clay College alumna and artist, currently based between the UK and Norway. Her practice, focused on material investigation and the relationship between material and place, is rooted in formal ceramics training. She is an Associate Artist of the British Ceramics Biennial, a QEST Scholar and co-director of GROUND, an artist-led project in Stoke-on-Trent. She has thought glaze technology courses in the UK, Norway and Iceland.

Website: nataliakasprzycka.com

Instagram: @natajkasprzycka

By Booking on to this workshop you agree to Clay Colleges Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy, which can be read here