39 – 2024 – Peter Montgomery & Lena Butschek – Fire, Form & Function
September 22 – October 5 2024
throwing and wood firing
some throwing experience required, wood firing experience not essential
Introduction
In Fire, Form & Function, Peter and Lena will lead you through and intensive making session culminating in the firing of the train kiln. Through demonstration and discussion, they will share their insights into making functional, wheel thrown pots that are more likely to withstand the rigours of wood firing while taking advantage of all it has to offer.
Techniques taught
- making functional pots with the potential challenges of wood firing in mind;
- throwing, trimming, handle pulling and assembling forms;
- preparing for a wood firing (wadding, cone packs, wood preparation, clamming clay);
- strategies to increase your success rate in the train kiln (packing location, ashing and appropriate selection of glazes and clay bodies);
- packing and reduction firing of the train kiln;
Teaching method
Fire, Form & Function is a hands-on workshop, delivered as a making cycle in a nutshell. Peter and Lena will guide you through making at the wheel with wood firing in mind. The communal firing in the second half of the workshop will see you involved in every step of the process, from packing, to firing, as well as unloading the kiln. Finally, a joint analysis of the results will help you understand what did and didn’t work, and crucially, why.
Logistics
A delicious mid day meal is included on all working days. Lodging is included in the course cost.
The Artists
Peter Montgomery and Lena Butschek work and live in Austria, where they established a workshop in 2020.
Peter is a potter from Belfast who makes functional porcelain tableware. His interest lies in ergonomic forms that are beautiful to look at and a pleasure to use. He first trained in wood firing with Nic Collins and Rob Barrron before working under Svend Bayer for three years. montgomeryporcelain.com
Lena makes functional stoneware that inspires daily use. Her designs aim to marry form and function in a beautiful yet useful object. Lena trained in diverse ceramic settings with potters in Italy, Japan, Scotland, Spain and England.
| Artists: | Peter Montgomery & Lena Butschek |
|---|---|
| Date: | Sunday September 22 (arrival) – Saturday October 5 (departure) 2024 |
| Length of course | 10 working days in the studio |
| Technique | Throwing, Wood and/or soda firing |
| Level | For all levels, Intermediate |
| Total cost: | € 3200 |
| Deposit for booking | € 900 |
