July 17-30, 2016 Soda@Gaya






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)