This workshop is designed to introduce students, teachers, school technicians, and new practitioners to working safely and effectively with kilns. You will learn how to choose the right kiln for your purposes and how to install it safely with adequate ventilation. You will be instructed in how to maintain your kiln, fittings, and furniture.

Make kiln wash and apply it, learn how to prepare wadding mix for cone packs. Discover the correct methods of using cones, pyrometres, controllers and firing logs to monitor and document your firings. Learn how to safely load and unload bisque and glazed ware.

This course starts at FAC in the Ceramics Studio and then moves to offsite to tutor Sandra Black’s studio in the afternoon to view different kiln types. Students will be given details of the location of Sandra’s studio in the week prior to the course commencing. Students are responsible for organising their own transport to and from each location on the day of the course.

Please note: The Ceramics Studio is not airconditioned and can become very warm in the summer months.

Materials:-

•  A materials & firing fee is included in the cost of the course

What to bring:-

• Notebook & pen
• Apron
• Please bring your snacks, lunch, and water bottle (there are cafe's close by Sandra Black's studio)
• Students must wear appropriate clothing, closed-toe shoes and tie up long hair for safety reasons

Firing & Glazing:-

• It is not always possible to fire and glaze all pieces made before the end of your course. The firing of each individual item is dependent on many factors including: – drying time, thickness, size, amount of work, when pieces are finished (i.e., towards the end of term the kilns are extremely full), and whether the pieces require bisque or glaze firing. We do our upmost to fire as much work as possible each week, however, please bear in mind all of the above considerations. Please plan in advance if you would like to glaze in your final week of class.
• Once fired, work is left on the collection shelves and an email sent out with collection times. It is the student’s responsibility to identify and collect their own work.
• There are stand-alone glazing courses on offer each term if you would like to come back and finish your work another time.

COVID

Please note, COVID restrictions may apply at the time of this course. By enrolling, you agree to abide by the restrictions at all times while onsite. Please visit the COVID Safe page on our website to read the most up to date information or visit wa.gov.au.

Building Access:

FAC is a heritage listed building with access limitations. If you have any special access requirements, please contact reception on 9432 9555 before enrolling in a course.

Students with Special Requirements:

If you or the person you are wishing to enrol has special requirements, please contact Reception on 9432 9555 or email ArtsCentre@fremantle.wa.gov.au to discuss suitability and how we can help.

Roof Works:

FAC are currently in the final stages of a long-term project to refurbish, repair and protect one of the City’s best loved heritage buildings. For more information, please head to: Roof Restoration - Fremantle Arts Centre Heritage Building (fac.org.au), please direct any questions about the roof works to: info@fremantle.wa.gov.au