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THE FIRESTICK STUDIO
Whether you're a monthly member, a student, or work elsewhere and just glaze and fire in our kilns, Firestick's 1,000 sq. foot studio and spacious grounds provide everything needed for potters to create, collaborate, learn, perfect their craft, and a gallery in which to sell their work. A FEW BASICS... The studio is open daily 10am–6pm Members, students and firing and/or glazing clients may come and go anytime during open hours. Knowledgeable staff is on hand to be of assistance when needed. The air conditioned studio has fourteen potters' wheels (between the main studio and the classroom), a hand building area, and an outdoor glaze room and spray booth. Member's wares are bisque and glaze fired for them in our kilns approximately once each week. Studio Membership Monthly membership includes access to the studio with extended hours for members ONLY, 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Studio includes potters wheels, a hand-building station, equipment, glazes, firing and staff support. New members sign up for an initial $165 for the first month which includes a bag 25# bag of clay, then may continue with an ongoing monthly membership renewal for $150 per month. Clay For work done in the studio, clay is generally purchased from Firestick at $25 per 25 lb bag. We carry a variety of cone 10 clays and can special order specific clay bodies upon request. Glazing Use of our selection of over 40 different glazes is included with studio membership and classes. Students may always convert to a monthly membership status with exclusive access to glazes and firings. Studio Rental Fee We offer independent studio rental time to experienced potters who want to drop in and use the studio for up to 3 hours at a time for $25. A variety of cone 10 clays are available to purchase for $25 for a 25 lb bag. Pieces made may be fired in our kilns for an additional fee which includes the use of our over 40 glazes available. |
Firing Types
Most firing is reduction, cone 10. Oxidation firing, cone 5-6, and cone 06 are available by special arrangement. Raku and pit firing are also available by special arrangement and by donation. Regular firings are included with monthly membership, although high volume production potters may be subject to an additional firing charge. What is raku pottery? Raku pottery is a Japanese firing method in ceramics that does back to 1580. It was first introduced to the United Sates in the early 1900's by renowned potter Bernard Leach. A potter removes a clay body from a kiln at high temperatures around 1800 degrees F causing it to cool quickly. As it cools, the potter applies combustible materials like paper, sawdust, leaves into a metal bucket or container. After the materials combust into flames, the bucket is covered cutting off oxygen to create a heavy smoke "reduction" environment.This results in blackening any unglazed areas and glaze designs that are rich, textured, and unique. Firing for pots made elsewhere Non member/student pottery may be fired weekly at FIRESTICK using your own cone 10 clay and glazes. Cone 5-6 or 06 oxidation firings are done by special arrangement according to needs. Firing charge is $.07 per cubic inch per firing. |