Description
Found Clay Glazes with Natalia Kasprzycka
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 taught glaze technology courses in the UK, Norway and Iceland.
Website: nataliakasprzycka.com
Instagram: @natajkasprzycka
Concessions tickets
Clay College offers a small selection of tickets at a reduced rate for early career potters and those who otherwise could not afford to attend. Please only book tickets at this rate if you are unable to afford the full price. If you are unsure of whether you are eligible, please contact us at contact@claycollegestoke.co.uk. You can book concession rate tickets here
By Booking on to this workshop you agree to Clay Colleges Terms and Conditions and Cancellation Policy, which can be read here
