Facility Usage
This is a dramatically new direction for all of us at CCW due to the present health
crisis. CCW is entering into a survival mode attempting to design a new model in order
to give our community the much need access to the studio, equipment rental ,
instruction, as well as continuing in our journey of ambitious firing schedules.
Please embrace that this is all new to us and will need to be “a work in progress “with
adaptations and flexibility. I need to emphasize that I truly need your help and support
(financially and other wise) in order to remain open as a viable studio for our community.
I am unable to do this alone.
BECOME A STUDIO POTTER ASSOCIATE (SPA)
SPA usage option is available beginning January 1- March 31
to individuals of 21 years or older who have completed a minimum of two years of formal studio instruction in wheel throwing or hand building/sculpture and have a clear understanding of high fire glaze application.
Usage Fee Structure:
Winter 2021
January 1 - March 31
Payment due before the beginning of the session 1/1 2021
Late payments will incur a $100 late fee
Due January 1 $495.00
Studio Potter Associate Services :
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Use of studio facilities (Five days per week, Wednesday through Sun. Closed on Mon- Wed. Hours of operation: Open at 9:00am. closed at 9:00pm
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All SPA’s will be required to make advanced reservations for the use of our several spaces to ensure safety and social distancing.
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Participation in wood/soda firings as needed (participants are required to sign up for loading and firing shifts), as well as our 50 cubic foot gas reduction kiln.
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10% discount on CCW workshops during the usage period.
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SPA must have all the construction of their wares / ceramic art complete by the end of the usage period. SPA may return if needed, by appointment only, to complete their glazing in accordance with CCW firing schedules TBA
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All clay used at CCW must be purchased at CCW. Prices for the numerous clays provided can be found on the Studio Supplies page.
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Firing fees are 4.0 cents per cubic inch. Glaze, bisque, and wood/soda or gas firing are covered in this fee. This rate applies to wares made only during the usage period
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SPA’s must be able to function 100% independently in the CCW studio. Tim is not available via intercom for questions unless an emergency situation arises.
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SPA’s must be able to unlock, disarm, relock and activate the CCW alarm system.
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Clay cost will remain the same as long as suppliers prices are stable.
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There will be several potters wheels available for rental at $25 per month. Advance payment required.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
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In the case of SPA cancellation request, the SPA will be granted a credit for the remainder of the SPA usage period minus a $150.00 cancellation fee. In the case that CCW is mandated by the State of CT to temporarily close due to COVID -19 health issues, all SPA’s will be issued a credit for future CCW programs after thestate has approved reopening.
FIRING SERVICES
CCW offers a firing service to experienced ceramic artist not enrolled in the CCW Studio Potters Associate
Firing fees will include Bisque, Wood/Soda, Gas Glaze Reduction firing. Individuals participating in a wood firings are expected to fulfill required shifts and duties during the loading and firing. Please scroll down to see more info on our wood firing program
Acceptance of an individual’s work will be reviewed on a person to person basis.
All clay must be a Cone 10- 11 clay body.
Select CCW glazes are included in the firing fees.
Firing Fee structure:
Bisque firing: 3 cents per cubic inch
Glaze firing: Cone 10-11 6 cents per cubic inch
Minimal Volume: Volume accepted must meet the minimum volume requirment
of 2 cubic feet equalling a12”x12”x24” template, Larger volume are accepted,
when the space is available.
Measuring and Invoicing: Artist’s wares will be measured in by cubic inch upon
delivery. Invoices for the incurred firing fees will be forwarded quarterly.
Firing fees are expected to be paid 30 day net. Late payments will incur a $25 late fee per delinquent month.
Pick up and Delivery: Pick up and delivery will be done by appointment only.
To Pay your firing fee invoice from our past firings click on the following link for Invoice Payment
KILN FIRING SERVICES
Firing Dates:
Unloading Time
Oct. 1 Gas Reduction Kiln Oct. 6 @ 9 a.m.
Oct. 27-Nov1 Climbing Train Kiln Nov. 8 at 10:00a.m.
Nov. 23 approx Gas Reduction Kiln TBA
Dec. 1-6 Naborigama and Climbing train Kiln Dec. 19 at 12 noon
This is a very ambitious firing schedule. TBC dates will be contingent on the number of participants and volume of wares. In view of this, it is imperative that those committing to participation in each firing follow through. We understand that unforeseen circumstances
can occur, however, please take commitments to participate seriously and with forethought.
Rock Creek Naborigama
At the Canton Clay Works, our unique Naborigama (designed by renown kiln designer Will Ruggles) has been fired over 300 in the past 18 years, making it one of the most frequently fired wood kilns in the USA. For 48 hours the kilns numerous chambers are stoked with wood every 3-5 minutes. The pots in the first chamber are fired in a reduction atmosphere resulting in deep, rich color tone in the clay body, decorative slips, and glazes. The second chamber is considered a Soda Chamber, volatilized with12 pounds of a salt and sodium mixture, resulting in an atmosphere saturated with vapor that bonds with the silica contained in the clay body, creating a one of a kind sodium silicate glaze.
Climbing Train Kiln
Added to our kiln yard in 2017 is our unique Climbing Train Kiln (100+ cubic feet), a contemporary rendition of an ancient Anagama (tunnel or tube kiln). This new design was introduced to the U.S. by John Neely of Utah State University, after a trip to Japan. A unique feature of this design is the fire box, known as a burry box, with an unusual stepped grate system on the bottom of the burry box. This is an exceptionally efficient wood-fired kiln that fires faster, with great fuel efficiency resulting in similar results of an Anagama in far less time and using far less energy.
North Carolina’s internationally renowned potter, Judith Duff has made a wonderful CAD program of her kiln based on John Neely’s design. It is from this design that I have made a few unique adaptations: a dramatic increase in size, three Hikidashi ports (means: “to open and pull out), a step in elevation in the large ware chamber (making this a Climbing Train Kiln), the addition of five brick arches, and the unusual hoistable insulated steel center arch, allowing for an aging potter to stand while loading and unloading. Our newly added Climbing Train Kiln’s construction was completed in early June 2017.
Our Wood Firing Program and Crew
Our Naborigama (named Yuki) is one of the most frequently fired wood kilns in North America.
We have fired her close to 300 times since building her in 2003. We are presently firing her about 7 times per year. In our crazy youthful days we were known to fire her 20 times per year. We are presently firing our Climbing Train Kiln 4 time per year.Our firing crew and shift supervisors are comprised of CCW staff, faculty, members, advanced students and experienced visiting participants. Many of these individuals have been firing our kiln for the past 18 years, accumulating hundreds and hundreds of hours of experience per person. We have achieved very consistent results through the years while firing the first chamber in reduction and the second chamber in oxidation or light reduction with a vapor of salt/soda. The average duration of firing is 48 hours. We generally start loading the kiln at 12 noon on the first day of the two days scheduled for firing. Usually, we begin firing at 4:00 p.m., right after loading and continue until 6:00 p.m. two days later .The majority of our firings are scheduled on weekends. All participants are expected to assist in loading and to participate in at least one or two 4-hour firing shifts. We
are not a drop off firing program; we strongly believe that wood firing is a community experience with all its educational value in hands-on experience. Most of our un-loadings occur 5-7 days after the completion of the firing.
Firing Fees, Payments, Volume
Our firing fee structure is one of the lowest in the eastern U.S. for wood firing. We charge 6 cents per cubic inch. All wares will be measured upon arrival. You are not expected to pay your firing fees in advance or immediately; however, we do require a $100 non-refundable deposit that will be deducted from your final balance. You will need to pay this deposit upon reserving your requested volume of space in the firing. We will send you an invoice for the balance due. We ask that visiting participants request and commit to a template of volume (space) in the firing. Participants should order a full template or a minimum 1/2 template of space. (a full template equals 24"x24"x12" , a half template equals 24"x12"x12"). Please do not stack when organizing your wares and keep in mind that there will be a 1/2 inch shelf holding each layer of wares in the kiln. When you arrive we make it very easy by quickly measuring each item.
Wood Firing Deposit
Tuition: $100.00
Description: To pay your Wood Firing Deposit of $100.00 just click on the add to cart button.
To pay your firing fee invoice from our past firings just click on the following link for Invoice Payment through Paypal.com
Cancellations
If a participant cancels his or her intended participation less than ten (10) days prior to the firing dates, that participant will forfeit their deposit. No credit or refund will be available with less than ten days notice. Cancellation of participation before this ten-day period will be credited or refunded.
Education
For those of you wanting more formal information on our wood firing program. We offer a few different unique wood firing educational opportunities each year.
Glazes and Flashing Slips
CCW's Naborigama delivers great and consistent results for wood and salt/soda glazes as well as a full palette of flashing slips. We supply more glazes and slips than most well-known universities. We are regularly adding new slips and glazes. It can be confusing, therefore we encourage new participants to keep it simple. Many visitors arrive the day before a firing to start their glazing and slip applications, but many people also complete their glazing the morning of the firing before loading. It is recommended that only individuals with an understanding of the application of high fire glazes consider participating because this wood-firing program is not a workshop scenario with a full day of instruction. Beginners should consider enrolling in a workshop at CCW.
Clay Bodies
There are many clay bodies that will work well with wood firing.
All clay bodies must be cone 10-11 clay bodies. No exceptions!!!
We are presently testing several clay bodies for the ClimbingTrain Kiln. Please contact Tim in regards to
progress with other clay bodies.
(The use of porcelain has a tendency to warp open forms in our cross draft kiln. Closed forms work quite well.)
Recommendations: (all clay bodies are cone 10-11)
Laguna B Mix Wood terrific in wood reduction chamber formulated with Helmar
Laguna #510 a great porcelainous stoneware (white)
Laguna #900 brown stoneware
Laguna #950 groggy brown stoneware
Sheffield #T3 tan with iron specks
Sheffield Z Clay brown stoneware (fabulous in salt chamber)
Standard #119 Light brown stoneware good in both chambers
Standard #621. Buff clay body formulated with Helmar
STUDIO SUPPLIES
All studio supplies are for pickup only at CCW - CT sales tax not included