The Flat Top Kiln was designed to provide a clearer understanding of the principles of wood firing, while still producing exceptional surfaces. The scale of the kiln allows for quicker firings and a closer relationship between the firer and the kiln. 

In this instructor-led three-day kiln firing workshop, participants will meet at 9 AM on Friday to load the kiln and begin firing in the afternoon, continuing through Sunday morning. Each participant will have 4.5 cu/ft of kiln space to fire their work in, minus the space taken up by shelving/columns, etc. Work must be made with cone 10 clay and bisque-fired before arrival. Each participant is required to take shifts firing the kiln during the three-day workshop. After the firing has finished, participants will meet up again the following Saturday for the unveiling of their work.

Skill Level: Beginner (No wood kiln experience required)
Minimum Age: 18+
Four Participants Max
Kiln Firing Participant Fee: $300
4.5 cu/ft of Kiln Space Each (minus space required for shelving/columns)

Upcoming Dates:
Friday-Sunday, May 8-10 (unload May 16)
Friday-Sunday, July 10-12 (unload July 18)

Instructor Bio: Frank McGinn

While in high school ceramics in Rhode Island, I found myself fascinated with clay. I was fortunate to have a great teacher (Judy Speyer). Judy encouraged me to pursue clay in college. While at Skidmore College (1979-83), I was a Fine Arts major with a concentration in Ceramics. This brought me to a Master's program at Boston University’s Program in Artisanry. After a successful thesis graduate show (1986), my direction changed, and I went to work in my family’s building-supply business. Fast forward to 2014. After a 28-year absence from working in clay, I then reconnected to it at a small studio called Joy Pottery (in Bryan, Texas). Ever since then, bringing back my past to the present has been a wonderful experiment. While at Joy Pottery, I honed my production pottery skills and soon found myself making water-sealed fermentation crocks. These crocks are used to make fermented food at home, such as sauerkraut and pickles. I still make these today. 

After I relocated back to the Northeast in 2018. This was the year I was awarded a Fellowship at Salem Art Works (in Salem, New York). While there, I was introduced to the wood-fired ceramics process by Jordan Becker. I find the process of wood firing quite exhilarating. There are many days of constant stoking (feeding wood) to the firebox done in shifts. The flame and ash from the wood hug the clay works as they travel through the kiln. Then they exit through the chimney, making it breathe like a mythical dragon. The effects of this flow can be seen in the ceramic work as wonderful patterns. I am currently working at Launch Space in Orange, Massachusetts. I do all my production there, as well as teach. I fire my work at various wood-fired kilns in upstate New York, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. I am also a member of the New Hampshire Potters Guild.
https://www.fdm3.com/

There is a 25% cancellation fee for all workshops and classes if requested with two weeks’ prior notice. Deposits and payments are nonrefundable within two weeks of the scheduled date.