Pottery Pit Firing Course

Looking for fun things to do in Dunnstown? Learn the beautiful art of pit firing with ClayMotion!

The two day workshop is for all skill levels and experience and will introduce you on how you can pit fire your own pots (please refer to 'what to bring' section).

Pit firing is an elemental and exciting process that results in beautiful and dramatic flashes of colour and smokiness on the surface of the pot.

During the two day course, you will learn all technical aspects of pit firing such as clay types, surface colouration guide, what to add to the pit to achieve what effect, pot preparation, plus loads more… and all while having fun!

This pit firing workshop is ideal for people interested in art or ceramics and also for artists wanting to expand and build on their skills.

As December can be a bit chilly in Ballarat, hot vegetable soup will be on the simmer to graze on from handmade bowls (made by me) during the day.

If you are not from the local area, accommodation is also available close to the workshop site.

Intrigued? All you need to do is bring your own pots along for the workshop!

Pit firing workshop schedule:
3rd December Saturday 12 - 5pm and 4th December Sunday 2 - 4.30pm

Day one: 12pm – 5pm (Bring notebooks and camera)

• 12.00 noon – 1pm — Pots are prepared with seaweed, fern fronds, gum leaves, salted string, copper wire and other organic materials.
• 1.00 – 2pm — The pit is prepared with wood, seaweed, cow dung, pinecones and other materials. Pots are loaded in the pit.
• 2.00 – 5.00pm — Firing commences. Pit is stoked for a few hours and finally covered for a slow overnight simmer.

Day two: 2pm - 4.30pm –-- Bring notebooks and camera

• 2-3pm — Pit is unloaded with lots of oohing and aahing and photo taking
• 3-4.30pm — Pots are cleaned and polished with even more oohing and aahing and photo taking

Please note: If you need lessons and/or clay to make pots for the firing, casual participation in a weekly class is welcome at the special discounted rate of $25.00 per session.

Or if there is enough demand, a separate class can be scheduled specifically to make works for the pit firing.

No previous experience or knowledge required.
  An exciting afternoon with some beautiful finished pots ready to take home.
  Please bring your own pots:

• One to two pots no larger than 30cm x 30cm that have been burnished and bisque fired to between 780-820°.
• A low bisque will ensure the sheen is maintained on the pot after pit firing. Wide rimmed bowls and plates should be avoided. Enclosed forms, sculptural forms and narrow rims are more suited to the uneven flame and heat characteristic of a pit firing.
• You are encouraged to bring a notebook and camera to document their learning.
• What to wear: Old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Avoid synthetic and loose materials and enclosed shoes are a must. Ideally hair should be tied back.

After the first session, the next session is: Sunday 2pm - 4:30pm