Pit Fire Ceramics Course - Art Making in the Garden Series

About this course:

Pit-fired ceramics is a 30,000 year old process of nestling unfired pots together in the ground surrounded by combustible materials to produce finished ceramic vessels. This workshop series will consist of three sessions, a clay building session, firing session and celebratory unveiling and potluck session. The Artmaking in the Garden Series, sponsored by RISCA, aims to engage the community with artistic practices at the intersection of sustainability and nature appreciation. Open and accessible to all ages and abilities.

Session 1:

• Friday Nov 7th 4-6pm | Make your vessels, learn and explore various techniques of handbuilding.

Session 2:

• Saturday Nov 8th 10am-12pm | Finishing touches on the vessels. The burnishing technique reviewed in this class requires that the pots dry beforehand and will allow for more pleasing results in the firing.

Session 3:

• Friday Nov 14th 4-6pm | Pit firing! Learn more about the ancient technique of pit firing including how to layer the pots into the pit, what combustables to use to create exciting surfaces on the vessels, and set them ablaze!

Session 4: Graduation!

• Friday Nov 21st 4-6pm | Open the pit to reveal their magic and clean/seal the new finished vessels. Participants can bring a drink or snack to share at our final celebration.

Instructors: Mollie Rose K Siebert (she/her) is a place-based artist & geographer based in Rhode Island with a love for community ceramics and outdoor education. She lives on a cooperative farm and teaches clay at the Artist’s Exchange, and does community engagement and operations work at Anyhow Studio in Providence. Shannon Casey (she/her) is a multi-disciplinary artist, director of Artists’ Exchange in Cranston RI and member on the board of Revive the Roots. Shannon’s story with Revive the Roots started by throwing pots using a kick wheel during the 2015 Vernal Arts and Music Festival.

What to bring, what to wear, what to expect: Please also be mindful that this event takes place on a working farm, so comfortable, safe, and mud-worthy boots or closed-toed shoes are a must. Dress appropriate for the weather with sunscreen, bug repellent and water. On firing day, please wear cotton or natural fiber clothing, long pants, and preferably an outer layer long sleeve shirt. More information about preparedness, safety, and site-specific matters to follow in your participant confirmation email.

All levels welcome: New to pit firing? Join the club! We are learning together most of the time, and instruction is based on what the students are interested in bringing to the session. There are incredible resources online to help you familiarize with the process, this masterclass with pit fire master Jane White is a good place to start. We would love it if you would bring your questions and inspiration with you.

All ages and abilities: This course involves open fire, not recommended for children under the age of 8. Children under 16 must attend with an adult guardian. Minors under the age of 18 must have written permission to attend. If your require special accommodations please reach out to hannah@revivetheroots.org

Pricing: The course is $125 for the four sessions.

Scholarships are available. Please fill out this brief Google form to qualify: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfngEAyt1bBcztSJkOw-Tr0JOtOybFWDLw1e2QbzDeswk__pA/viewform?usp=dialog

About Revive the Roots:

Revive The Roots cultivates an inclusive environment free of judgment and biases where people and the environment thrive through sustainable practices, community building, and education. We prioritize shared resources and a collective vision to responsibly steward land for generations to come.

Please know before showing up, there is no tolerance or space for homophobia, racism, transphobia, ableism, and any other forms of oppression. We welcome folks who are committed to creating a community where all can flourish.

NOTICE OF FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY

When you are on the premises of Mowry Commons (374 Farnum Pike and 10 Old Forge Rd) managed by Revive the Roots you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the event premises, you consent to interview(s), photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, promotional purposes, telecasts, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by Revive the Roots and its affiliates and representatives. This includes yourself as well as any minors that are in your care. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar Revive the Roots events in the future, highlight the event, and exhibit the capabilities of Revive the Roots. You release Revive the Roots, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of interviews, photographs, computer images, video and/or sound recordings. By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment of royalties in connection with any use, exhibition, streaming, webcasting, televising, or other publication of these materials, regardless of the purpose or sponsoring of such use, exhibiting, broadcasting, webcasting, or other publication irrespective of whether a fee for admission or sponsorship is charged. You also waive any right to inspect or approve any photo, video, or audio recording taken by Revive the Roots or the person or entity designated to do so by Revive the Roots. You have been fully informed of your consent, waiver of liability, and release before entering the event. We are respectful in all representation of guests enjoying Mowry Commons and Revive the Roots events. If you are approached by a photographer you can request to not be photographed, filmed or interviewed and this request will be honored.