Bruce W. Bowers
Wood Fired Pottery
and
Digital Photo Montage
The March 20-23, May 1-4, May 8-11, and June 12-15, 2009, Wood Firing Workshops are now full. The 3 Fall, 2009 firings are full. Workshops for 2010 are now forming and I am now taking deposits for August and October, 2010 events. Please email or call (301) 646-3481 for details and exact dates.

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The following link will lead you to Cunningham Falls State Park. This is a
great location for inexpensive accomodations just 10 minutes from the kiln site. A cabin for 4 people is only $50 per night!
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/cunninghamfalls.html
The following link will take you to a video that was shot during the March
20-23 workshop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKMFynjnRNU
I offer "Introduction to Wood Firing" workshops for folks who are new or fairly new to the process. I also lead more advanced workshops for people
who would like to broaden
their knowledge and
experience or, if there is sufficient interest, explore a specific technique. Reduction cooling/down firing and
extended firings are possibilities (at additional cost.)
About six weeks before our firing, we meet just outside Washington, DC
to discuss the
types of pots that lend
themselves to wood kilns.
We also cover glazes, suggested clays, stains, and slips. Then we will all begin making pots wherever we regularly work.
The size of a group is 8 participants. This would be at a cost of $250/person and would allow you to fire enough pots to cover, with overhangs, a template 24" x 24" with a median height of 8 inches. Pots may be tumble stacked or, as in the case of plates, wadded and stacked on top of one another. In every firing, I include some of my own pots. That way, I have an even greater incentive to conduct a proper firing.
The price of participation covers an introductory session (or phone conversation with out-of-town guests), wadding, wood, firing, a fully instuctional 3 days of work, an extensive brochure, plus tea, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages. You should bring your own lunch. The kiln area will be fully prepared for our workshop and all kiln furniture will be meticulously prepped.
After our pots are bisqued (your responsibility), we will transport them to the very scenic and rural kiln site for kiln loading. All pariticants should arrive with pots fully glazed, wadded, and prepped for loading. People who are unsure of the method for wadding a particular piece should take care of that process with my help when you arrive. The next day we will fire and then, two days later, will unload and discuss our work.
This is a totally "hands on" experience and you will be able to take part in as many aspects of the process as you are comfortable with. With my help and direction, when the workshop is over you will have a body of work that you wood fired and can take responsibility for.
All workshop participants will be required to sign a liability waiver releasing both the kiln site and me for injuries incurred during the workshop.
Workshops will begin again in early Fall (Intro Session) and will fill on a first come basis.
Please contact me so that we can discuss the upcoming workshops in more detail.
THIS IS AN EDUCATIONAL
PROGRAM FOR POTTERS OF ALL LEVELS. FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ME WHEN WE SPEAK.
The images above are
from the last two Wood
Firing Workshops. Both were
hosted by Monocacy Pottery, Thurmont,
Maryland.
@
monocacypottery.com
***
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH QUESTIONS OF ANY KIND.
(301) 646-3481
or
sailoor47@aol.com

Beginning in 2010, I am going to offer a couple of wood firing workshops that include the digging and processing of natually occurring local clays so that you will be able to include some pots made with this material in your firing.