Alternative Firing with 43rd Street Studios
In 2025, we started a partnership with our friends over at 43rd Street Studios to provide a class with different options for firing.
We’re grateful to have Kourtenay Plummer teaching this course at both Hand / Thrown and 43rd Street. Kourtenay started teaching with us in 2022 before opening her own space in Amelia County, SP Gallery. Read below to hear about the class and see finished work from our first session.
We have another session starting January 5th if you want to join in!
What is alternative firing? How is it different from what Hand / Thrown already does?
At Hand / Thrown, we solely do Cone 6 Oxidation Firing. The Cone is the temperature a piece of clay vitrifies to (is no longer porous) and the specific chemical reaction in firing is complete. There are many other ways to fire ceramic wares - Wood Firing, Salt Firing, Saggar Firing, Smoke Firing. This class specifically touches on Raku Firing and Gas Firing. Gas Firing reaches Cone 10 while Raku Firing reaches Cone 06.
Cone 10 is high fire, Cone 6 is mid fire and Cone 06 is low fire.
Loading in the Raku Kiln.
Pieces are loaded in a barrel kiln then removed at peak temperature.
Combustibles are added once pieces are removed with tongs and fire safe gloves.
“Participating in a Raku firing gave me a front row seat to the dramatic transformation of clay that I rarely get to see! The unpredictability of results from Raku and Cone 10 reduction firings helped me become more aware — and appreciate! — the many variables in firing that are out of my control, and how they interact.”
Student from Alternative Firing
Loading in pieces for the Raku!
After the piece has come out of the kiln it is submerged into combustibles.
Getting the kiln to temperature.
Tell me more about Raku!
Raku is “a process in which work is removed from the kiln at bright red heat and subjected to post-firing reduction (or smoking) by being placed in containers of combustible materials, which blackens raw clay and causes crazing in the glaze surface.” - Ceramics Art Network. Raku is done outside in a barrel kiln and the finish on Raku pieces is solely decorative (can not hold water) due to the low firing temperature. It’s a fun and active firing process for the participants! Kourtenay Plummer is a pro and teaches Raku at her studio SP Gallery and at VisArts.
The Gas Kiln, loaded up and ready for firing.
An aerial view of the loading process done by Robin Cage.
The Gas Kiln, closed and firing. Slight flames can be seen through the two peep holes at the top of the kiln.
The fuel source to get the kiln to tempearture.
Tell me more about Gas Firing!
Gas Firing “use natural gas or propane for fuel and offer more control over the firing atmosphere. They’re often favored by experienced potters and those seeking specific glaze effects. The placement of ware within a gas kiln can also significantly impact the final outcome due to varying flame paths.” - Ceramics Materials Workshop Gas kilns reach the highest temperature we are offering - Cone 10. Depending on the level of oxygen in the firing, you can have a reduction firing which often produces more reds and purples that are difficult to achieve in oxidation firings.
43rd Street Studios Gas Kiln is pretty special.
Robin Cage built their Gas Kiln in 1985. Each gas firing is its own adventure and this kiln has its own personality. Robin knows and loves it like an old friend—every oddball quirk and every little detail that makes each firing unique. This kiln uses a reduced atmosphere from gas to create the most spectacular glaze results but knowing how to navigate that firing takes skill and learned experience using the kiln.
Before Firing
After Firing
How did this partnership come to be?
Joanna Gragnani taught at Hand / Thrown Studio from 2019-20223 before opening her own studio, 43rd Street Studios. Ever since opening, we’ve been talking about ways to work together. We loved having Joanna as part of our studio and are excited this partnership is bringing together the Northside and Southside ceramics community.
How can I join?
Sign up here for eight weeks of Alternative Firing starting Monday, January 5th at 6:30 pm! The class continues on Monday nights from January 5th to February 23rd. The first six weeks are at Hand / Thrown and the last two weeks are at 43rd Street Studios.
Low-fire…High-fire…now we're cookin' with gas!
In this 8 week intermediate course for both wheel throwers and handbuilders, you'll learn from Kourtenay Plummer about the shapes and styles that lend themselves to different firing techniques, participate in a raku firing, and have the opportunity to fire in a gas kiln! You'll spend 6 weeks here at Hand / Thrown creating work, where your work will be bisque fired. The next 2 weeks will be at 43rd Street Studios, where you'll fire your work in a raku kiln, as well as use high-fire glazes to fire wares in their beloved gas kiln. Students will leave the raku firing with their wares, and work fired in the gas kiln will be picked up 2-3 weeks after the last class at 43rd Street Studios.
Please Note: Raku wares are for decorative purposes only and are not food-safe. All gas kiln wares will be charged at an additional fee with an initial rate of $18.
This course is best suited for folks with some clay experience, as participants should be comfortable creating forms independently. Students will be required to use Standard Clay 182G due to its versatility in firing temperature. Classes are limited to 8 participants and must be 16 years of age or older. All students enrolled in a multi-week class are allotted up to 6 hours of unguided Open Studio time weekly to practice outside of class.
Please check our FAQ’s page for additional information on the studio and read our Cancelation Policy prior to booking!
This is an 8 week course and each session is 2.5 hours long. Tools are not included in multi-week classes; bring your own or purchase a kit from the studio! There must be 6 students registered to confirm.
*The Shimpo Pottery Wheel may be harmful to a person who has a pacemaker. Serious injury or death could occur. Consult a physician before using.*
