GAYA CERAMIC ARTS CENTER presents
SODA@Gaya
with Gail Nichols
July 17-30, 2016
17 July: Sunday Welcome Dinner MOKSA
An exquisite meal set upon anagama-fired ware at the
restaurant of director Hillary Kane’s husband.
A relaxed evening in which participants can get to know one another and
share their stories and intentions for being here.
Dessert will be served with a slideshow given by Gail Nichols, presenting her works, her story, her journey in fire
and clay, followed by a
review of the workshop schedule and a general fanning of the fires of
enthusiasm!
18 July: Monday Loading Strategies GCAC
A welcome and
introduction to GCAC studio, and then immediately jumping into action! Participants glaze lining of pots for
immediate loading.
Demonstration: Soda kiln loading strategies.
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Load soda kiln (with bisqued
work brought by participants). Loading is done in shifts.
Open studio time Gail
will begin a 3-part demonstration of building a large vessel on the wheel. Participants will also have time to get their
hands in clay and begin their own projects.
(FIRING #1: LOAD, candling overnight)
19 July: Tuesday Initiation to Fire GCAC
Inaugural firing. Following a preheat from the night prior,
participants will engage in firing according to pre-determined shifts. Everyone will be present and involved in the
actually introduction of soda into the kiln (late afternoon or early evening).
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Open studio time, throwing
demonstration (part one): Gail will begin a 3-part demonstration of
building a large vessel on the wheel while the kiln is firing, as well as
assist participants as they dig into their own making. (MAKING FOR 1st BISQUE)
(SODA FIRING #1: all day—begin 1am)
20 July: Wednesday Importance of the Body GCAC
Morning: participants
will begin preparing Clay body tests—(using a variety of available materials,
each person will formulate a body and mix up a small batch for testing in the
second firing).
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Open studio, throwing demonstration (part two): Gail will conclude her large vessel-making
demo. Participants continue (with any
assistance necessary) their own works.
(FINISH MAKING/TRIMMING/SLIPPING FOR 1st
BISQUE—BISQUE KILN LOADED by 5pm)
(Kiln #1 cooling) (OVERNIGHT DRYBOX in
SMALL GAS FIBER KILN)
21 July: Thursday A Preliminary Taste & Reload GCAC
Unload soda kiln: paying
careful attention to variation in clay bodies, placement in the kiln, slips and
glaze, the entire firing will be dissected and discussed in full.
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Open studio time, throwing demonstration: tbd
(UNLOAD BALI CAT; Prepare kiln for immediate
next firing)
(FIRING 1st BISQUE)
22 July: Friday FIRING
#2 / Informed Making GCAC
Demonstration/Discussion: technical aspects of soda firing (clay body, design
of form, firing technique) taking into consideration all the aspects of soda
firing that are influenced by the making,
and the information just gleaned from the first unloading, participants may
consider new forms, textures, etc.
Afternoon: a careful and
more informed second loading-- participation from everyone in shifts
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Open studio time (morning and afternoon)
(UNLOAD 1st BISQUE 8am)
(SODA FIRING #2: LOADING )
23 July: Saturday GCAC
Following a preheat from
the night prior, participants will engage in firing according to pre-determined
shifts. Everyone will be present and
involved in the actually introduction of soda into the kiln (late afternoon or
early evening).
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Open studio time: FINAL FINISHING OF WORKS FOR 2nd BISQUE
(SODA FIRE #2:
FIRING all day – beginning 1-3am)
(2nd
BISQUE KILN LOADED by 5pm—small fiber kiln)
24 July: Sunday FREE DAY anywhere Bali
(BISQUE-firing Sunday midnight- Monday
noon)
25 July: Monday Second
Discoveries & Final Finishing GCAC
Unloading second firing
and discussing in detail the results and discoveries that have been revealed
from first to second firing.
Open studio: last touches
on all works by the end of the day (trimming, texturing, slipping, decorating).
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
(UNLOAD Firing #2; BISQUE kiln finishing)
26 July: Tuesday Third
Loading: New Bodies GCAC
Demonstrations/Discussions: Brian
Kakas and Eva Champagne share
ideas behind kiln design (and this kiln
design), as well as their experience and suggestions as practiced soda-firers
themselves (presentations scheduled morning and afternoon to coordinate with
loading)
Participants will be
divided in to small groups and will load in shifts so that all may have a
chance at the hands-on process.
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
(Bisque unloaded
8am; FIRING #3: LOAD, candling overnight)
27 July: Wednesday FIRING
#3 GCAC
Firing will likewise be conducted in shifts—varying
the shift each person took for the first firing. All will be present again for the
introduction of soda into the kiln (late afternoon-early evening).
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
In the “down time,” an inspiring tour of Gaya
production studio and archives will be offered (in two different shifts), led
by GCAC director, Hillary Kane.
(SODA
FIRING all day—beginning 1-3am)
28 July: Thursday A Day of Cooling Tirtha Empul
EXCURSION: Fire to Water-- a visit and bathe in one of
Bali’s famous water temples.
(Departure from hotel--early
afternoon return to Ubud)
Lunch:
together in a rice-terrace overlook restaurant
**temple clothes (sarong,
selendan, shirt) to bathe in
required, as well as change of clothing and towel (all will be discussed prior)
(SODA Kiln cooling)
29 July: Friday A Third Revelation GCAC
Unloading the third
firing and discussing in detail the results and discoveries that have been
revealed from first through third firings.
Participants will collate and share all test clay body results. Any post-firing clean up of works will be
demonstrated and conducted.
Lunch: family style in Gaya CAC mezzanine
Slide talk: “Soda Kilns I
have Known”
Soda
Q&A session for participants to raise any final questions
30 July: Saturday Exhibiting Our Treasures In-Studio Gallery
Final group discussion of
the entire two-week experience. Time to
admire one another’s creations, take photographs, and pack (packing materials
will be provided).
*Friends extraneous to
the workshop are welcome and encouraged to join the “exhibition”!
Lunch: family style together in GCAC mezzanine
Farewell. (Departure
by 2pm)
