The students in the wood fire class at the School of Art fired their first kiln load a month ago. It was so cold that day and the wind just whipped through our coats right to the bone with a sharp chill. It is hard to believe but it will actually be warmer in Winnipeg tomorrow when this kiln is fired. How many times have I said that we are blessed?
The students did a great job. Julia cleared the entire kiln courtyard of snow before Monique and Kendra started loading. Jiawei, Kewan, and Hyounjung helped to sort all of the work and everyone pitched in wadding work if it needed it. We loaded the kiln keeping in mind that The Laidback Wood Fire book by my friend Steve Harrison says to place the bag wall in the front. Markus Bohm puts it at the back and in the end Steve has abandoned a bag wall altogether and gone with a tight stack in the middle. Ours is a combination of all of those. Pots were placed in the extended throat to slow and move the flames about. Kewan’s arches are helping to keep the flames contained on the floor at the back and on the first shelf. We listened and did not load the top as tight as we did before and there is room all around for the flames to travel. Fingers crossed. These students have worked hard and learned a lot – although I doubt if they fully comprehend all that they have learned yet. Sara, Anastasia, and Alexandra put the finishing touches on bricking up the door. It all starts in the wee hours of the morning when Sara does the gas pre-heat. Stay posted…firing pictures to follow on Sunday. We unload the kiln on Friday with high hopes.
