Catenary Kiln Woodfiring with Tim Christensen

Join local Maine artist and woodfiring aficionado Tim Christensen to learn your way around Watershed’s catenary arch kiln “Salubrious Brother.” During this guided firing, Tim will lead participants through the rewardingly laborious process of woodfiring. This includes all aspects of loading, firing, unloading, and cleaning the kiln. This workshop is perfect for ceramicists who want to add woodfiring to their tool belt, or those who simply love the collaborative process!

Please note: Participants will be asked, to the best of their ability, to participate in all physical aspects of the firing. This could mean chopping and stacking wood, moving bricks, stoking the fire, interacting with the hot kiln, attending a firing shift in the middle of the night, and more.

Dates: April 26-27 & May 3
Workshop Fee: $1000 (includes meals, materials & housing)

Optional Additional Housing: $65/night single room

REGISTER

About Tim

Tim Christensen is a sgraffito artist living and working in Down East Maine. He has shown his wood fired sgraffito porcelain pieces, and taught, worldwide. 

Workshop Schedule

Daily Schedule:
Saturday, April 26: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 27: 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (varies on firing)
Monday, April 28: All participants depart Watershed by 12:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 3: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  • A detailed breakdown of the day is provided upon registration or request.
  • Breakfast is served at 8:45 a.m., lunch at 12:30 p.m. and dinner at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast is the only meal served on Monday 4/28 and Saturday 5/3.
  • Participants must agree to follow Watershed’s health & safety guidelines. Read them here.

What to Bring

  • The workshop fee includes:
    • Kiln firing fee
    • 1 cord kiln-dried wood
    • Wadding
    • Glaze
    • Cone packs
    • Individual workspace and shelving
    • 2 nights on-campus housing
    • Breakfast, lunch and dinner on 4/26 and 4/27. Breakfast only on 4/28 and 5/3.
  • Participants must bring:
    • Cone 12 bisque ware no larger than 10″ in any direction (bring as many pieces as you wish, we don’t want an empty kiln!)
    • Cotton clothing and closed toe shoes
    • Respirator with OV (Organic Vapor) cartridges
    • Safety goggles and leather gloves (if you have them)
    • Hat/bandana or other way to keep hair covered and out of the way
    • Flashlight/headlamp
    • Snacks to sustain you during the day! Watershed will provide some snacks, but we always encourage participants to bring extra just in case
    • Packing material to transport work home

Housing & Meals

On-Campus Housing:

Two nights of housing in a single-occupancy room is included in the workshop fee. You may add additional nights of housing on Friday April 25, Friday May 2 and/or Saturday May 3 for an additional $65 per night on your registration form.

Rooms furnished with twin beds. Participants must bring their own sheets, blankets, and bath towels. Pillows and mattress pads are provided. Bathroom facilities are shared but can be used by one person at a time, much like a bathroom in a home.

Those arriving Friday, the day before the workshop, should arrive between 2:00 p.m. and NO LATER THAN 4:00 p.m. to check in and be shown to their room.

Those arriving Saturday will be shown to their rooms that morning or at lunch.

Meals:

Watershed will provide continental breakfast, self-serve lunch and dinner Saturday and Sunday. Light breakfast is available Monday, April 28 for your departure at 12:00 p.m. Breakfast is the only meal served on Saturday, May 3. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets can be accommodated. Those with additional dietary needs are welcome to bring supplemental food to store and prepare in Watershed’s studio kitchenette.

Payments & Cancellations

The workshop fee and any housing fees are due in full with your registration.

Please familiarize yourself with Watershed’s Cancellation Policy.