Historic Yellow Springs

Kiln Firing

The Chester Springs Studio wood kiln is a two-chamber noborigama, constructed in 2014 during a workshop with artist, Jim Dugan. The first chamber is fired solely with wood, and in the second chamber salt/soda is introduced. The kiln reaches cone 10 over about 24 hours. Community participants reserve shares in the firing. There are 9 shares of space within the kiln, one share is 12″ x 24″ x 30″. All work must be bisque-fired. Please contact Matt Wren, Ceramic Studio Supervisor, with questions in regard to clay bodies, slips, and glazes suitable for the noborigama, and to receive notifications about future kiln firings.


Wood Kiln Firing Guidelines

Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing

  • Maximum of 1 share per person.
  • To commit to a share, email Matt Wren.
  • All participants must be available for each aspect of the firing. We glaze and wad pots on Friday afternoon/evening (1pm on). Load Saturday beginning at 9am, and fire from 1pm on Saturday to about 11am Sunday (if all goes according to plan).
  • One share earns you 2, 3-hour shifts at the kiln, or 6 hours. Participation in the loading, and most importantly the unloading, (unbrick door, unload pots, clean posts, grind shelves, wash shelves, sweep kiln pad, scoop out ashes, and in general put the kiln back the way it was when we started, takes about 3 hours.)
  • One share is 12″ x 24″ x 30″ of kiln stacking space. Bowl and plate, wait and wait, tall and thin gets in.

2023 Wood Kiln Firing Schedule

Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing

March 18-19: Jessica Greet
March 25-26: Jackie Henisee
April 15-16: Suzanne Kent
April 22-23: Black Hound Clay Studio
April 28-30: Allens Lane Art Center
May 6-7: Susan Bankert
May 13-14: Jodi Davidson
May 27-28: Aphrodite Kunkle
June 10-11: Jessica Greet
June 24-25: Jackie Henisee
July 1-2: Black Hound Clay Studio
August 3-13: Workshop: Build New HYS Kiln with Ted Neal
August 18-20: First Firing in New Kiln, Unload Saturday 8/26
September 9-10: Jodi Davidson
September 16-17: Jessica Greet
September 30 - October 1: Susan Bankert
October 7-8: Black Hound Clay Studio
October 13-15: Allens Lane Art Center
October 21-22: Suzanne Kent
October 28-29: Jackie Henisee
November 4-5: Jessica Greet
November 11-12: Susan Bankert


Community / Members Kiln Firing

All Firings and Shares for 2023 have been booked.

Check back at the beginning of next year for new listings for 2024 or contact:

Matt Wren, Ceramic Studio Supervisor
Phone: 610.827.7414 ext. 21
Email: mwren@yellowsprings.org

Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing

Limit: 9 participants
Instructor: Matt Wren, Wood Kiln Supervisor, leads firings and oversees preparations
Location: Chester Springs Studio Ceramic Studio/Wood Kiln
Cost Per Share: $150 Member, $175 Non-member
(Materials Included)
Available Shares: 9 shares (1 share is 12″ x 24″ x 30″)
Participants: Must sign up for firing shifts at Chester Springs Studio beginning Friday afternoon and be present for kiln unloading. Sign up sheet in Studio.

Provided for Each Firing:

  • Supplies:
    • Slips
    • Cone 10 glazes
    • Wadding
    • Cone packs
    • Wood
  • Staff:
    • Wood Kiln Monitor

After confirming and reserving your space with Matt Wren you may pay by check or in cash. Make checks payable to: Historic Yellow Springs, Inc.


Private Kiln Rental (Full Kiln)

All Private Full Kiln Rentals for 2023 have been booked.

Check back at the beginning of next year for new opportunities for 2024 or contact:

Matt Wren, Ceramic Studio Supervisor
Phone: 610.827.7414 ext. 21
Email: mwren@yellowsprings.org

Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing

Kiln Firing

We ask that a $450 deposit be made to hold the date of your firing, the remaining balance must be paid by check on the date of the firing or before by credit card over the phone. Checks should be made payable to: Historic Yellow Springs, Inc.

Pricing:

  • Private Rental: $1,400 (HYS Non-Member)
  • Private Rental: $1,250 (HYS Member)
  • Initial Deposit: $450 (both Member & Non-Member)

After confirming and reserving the kiln with Matt Wren you may pay online, by check or in cash. Make checks payable to: Historic Yellow Springs, Inc.



Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln Rebuild

We will be rebuilding our Chester Springs Studio wood burning kiln this summer during early August 2023 and will be offering a Kiln Building Workshop. If you are interested in more information, email Matt Wren, Ceramic Studio Supervisor. When workshop details are confirmed, we will post all details online at Workshops.

Here are a few photos from the initial construction of the kiln in 2014.

Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln
Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln
Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln
Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln
Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln
Wood Burning Dual-Chamber Noborigama Kiln