5 Sessions, 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Begins June 17, Indoors - Meets in the Painting Studio 

Skills Level: All

Class: $465 (Log in for membership discount prices) 

Description: This class is a five session workshop with master potter Shamai Gibsh. In the workshop we will explore several techniques of saggar firing. Saggar is a container into which one inserts organic materials, oxides, and salts, all in contact with the surface of the fired object in a kiln, to achieve colorful unique results depending on the firing conditions. The techniques in this workshop come from Shamai Gibsh's book: “Terra Sigillata Smoke, Fire & Clay.” 

The five main saggar techniques explored will be the following: clay saggars with organic materials in a reduction kiln, aluminum foil saggars with some soluble salts like iron chloride, cobalt sulfate, and potassium dichromate, saggars with colored terra sigillata and smoke with paper, open saggar that includes: saw dust, fertilizers, salt and copper carbonate, covered with sand, and lastly work covered with cotton fabric dipped in soluble salts in clay saggar. As part of the workshop we will also learn how to prepare terra sigillata out of ball clay and other low temperature clay, and will we will treat saltmarsh and saw dust with oxides. 

For each of the five techniques explored in this workshop, students will work with three of their own small pieces, that they bring with them to the workshop. 

Note: This workshop takes place on the following five dates: June 17th, June 21st, June 24th, June 26th, and June 28th.

Prerequisites:

-Students will have to have read chapters 1, 3,  and 4 of Shamai Gibsh's book, "Smoke, Fire and Clay," before the first class. If you would like to purchase the book click here.

-Students will need to bring 15 small, bone dry works, no bigger than 4" in any direction made with white cone 6 clay to the first class. We will bisque these pieces after the first class. Students may bring up to 4 additional small, 4" works made with white cone 6 clay. These will be extra works for if there is extra space while firing. 

About the instructor:

Shamai Gibsh grew up in Israel and was educated as an engineer and ceramicist in the USA. He is a member of IAC-International Academy of Ceramics, the international Board Member representative in ICAN, and a board member in the IAC - International Academy of Ceramics.

Shamai gives multiple workshops in his unique alternative firing techniques all over the world. He recently published a book which summarizes all his techniques: “Terra Sigillata, Smoke Fire & Clay”. He has participated in many residencies and exhibitions, and his art is in collections of multiple Museums and private collections in Asia, Europe, and the USA. His work has been featured in a variety of ceramic magazines, books and publications. Currently represented by Plinth Gallery, Denver Colorado USA, Curated Ceramics, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Land of Israel Museum, (MUZA), Tel Aviv, Israel, and Kolbo Gallery, Brookline, and Massachusetts, USA.

Email: gibshs@gmail.com Web: https://www.shamaigibsh.com/ Member of IAC-  International Academy of Ceramics http://www.aic-iac.org/member/shamai-gibsh/ Member of Artaxis   https://artaxis.org/shamai-gibsh/ https://www.facebook.com/shamai.gibsh

Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/shamaigibsh/

Please take a look at our registration policy and our current covid policy before your class.

Local dining options, accommodations, and more information about our facility can be found HERE.  For any other questions our contact information is HERE.