Glaze and Fire Workshop

This hands-on, practical workshop will cover the basics of ceramic glaze composition, surface development, application techniques, and firing over a range of temperatures. Students will learn how to test, apply, and fire glazes to suit their own practice. Topics covered in the workshop will included colour and surface development in functional and non-functional glazes at earthenware, midrange and stoneware temperatures. Students will complete the workshop with sound knowledge of how to set up a glaze testing program and firing schedules to achieve desired glazes and surfaces. Tests will be fired weekly and the results analysed and discussed in class.

Please note that this course does not involve glazing pre-existing bisque-fired pieces, so there’s no need to bring any ceramics to glaze. You’ll be able to use the techniques you learn here on your own work after the course, in your own studio.

* The course fee incorporates the cost for materials such as clay.

* NAS Short Courses are open to students of ages 16 years and over. The NAS Art Club is open to students between 15 - 17 years of age.

* What to bring? Please refer to the list of required materials in the Art Materials field below.

Students must supply their own art materials, please refer to the list below.

• Towel and protective clothes (old shirt or apron)
• Notebook and pencils/pens
• All clay and other materials are provided
• We recommend students bring a P2 KN95 disposable mask
• Rubber gloves
• Apron and hand towel
• Measuring spoons
• Recycled round plastic containers for making up glaze samples
• Small house painting brush (approx. 5-7cm)
• Fine brush or ceramic pencil for marking tiles
• Sponge and scourer
• Enclosed footwear is essential in all studios on campus. 

Trisha Dean has worked in the studio ceramics and education field for the past 30 years. After graduating from the National Art School in 1980 she worked as a production thrower, honing her skills in the discipline of Wheelforming. She holds a Bachelor of Art History and Theory from the University of Sydney and was Head Teacher of Ceramics at Hornsby TAFE for 8 years. Trisha has taught ceramics at the National Art School, Sydney College of the Arts and many metropolitan and regional colleges of TAFE. She was the editor of the Journal of Australian Ceramics for five years, which features a national and international showcase for the Australian studio ceramics sector. In 1996 Trisha set up Glazeworks, a service which provides technical advice, workshops and services to individual artists, groups and companies in the areas of restoration, heritage and special projects involving the development of ceramic surfaces.