Previous Workshops - March 2002

Workshop with Ian Currie
September 14 & 15, 2002

Workshop Details

Artist and author Ian Currie will conduct a two-day workshop September 14 and 15, 2002, 9:00 - 5:00.  The workshop will be held in the ceramics lab (Arts Center room 166).  In this workshop, Mr. Currie will teach his methods of experimenting with glaze variations.  The systematic method developed by Mr. Currie for studying glazes has proven a powerful tool for students of ceramics.  The method is outlined in his books Stoneware Glazes: A systematic Approach and Revealing Glazes - Using the Grid Method (Bootstrap Press).

The workshop will take participants through the recipe-based grid method as outlined in his books.  Being a recipe method, it is accessible to all regardless of their understanding of glaze chemistry.  At the end of the first day students will have possibly 5 sets of glazes (about 175 individual glazes) ready for firing, and will understand the method.  Since the workshop extends to a second day, the glazes will be fired overnight and participants will be able to see and assess the results and explore possibilities with group discussions.  On the second day there are a number of other possible activities including lectures on glaze theory, slide lectures on Japanese pottery including wood firing and pottery general, and more time to work one to one with students.  There may also be time for some more practical work, extending on the results from the first day.

One of the problems with many other approaches to glaze research is a failure to emphasize the vital importance of the alumina and silica variations in pinning down specific effects and discovering exciting new glazes.  Systematic variation of alumina and silica, along with the fluxes, is central to this method, and is largely responsible for its success.  The method is organized so that one is able to sepreate out the variables and therefore highlight cause and effect.  It gives precise control and understanding of things like color response, maturity, crazing, glaze surface phenomena such as mattness, shininess and orange-peel surface, as well as opalescence, opacity, color-break phenomena etc.  Another feature of the workshop is the use of "mass production" techniques to make and apply glazes quickly, and also cooperative division of labor sharing out the work between groups.. A lot will be achieved in each day.

Workshop Cost: Clay People members $75.00, Non-Members $95.00.  A light lunch will be served.  Registration closes when all slots are filled -- register Early!