Clay, Glaze & Kiln Firing Policy
Brookings Arts Council is now offering low-fire kiln firing services for local artists working independently with low-fire clay and glazes.
Clay
Artists may purchase Brookings Arts Council low-fire clay to use for their independent work. Clay is sold in 25 lb bags for approximately $20 per bag. Clay purchased from BAC may be taken home and used independently. We use Chad’s Bod from Dakota Potter’s Supply as it is rated from cone 08-cone 10 and fires to a white/light cream color, vitrifying at low-fire temperatures.
Glazes
Artists may purchase BAC low-fire glazes to use with their BAC clay. Glazes are portioned into 4 oz containers and are available for $7 per container. Artists may select individual colors based on availability.
Outside Clay & Glazes
Artists may also purchase and use their own low-fire clay and glazes. All outside materials must be approved by BAC staff before use and firing. Artists should provide the product name and manufacturer, along with the recommended firing temperature or cone, so BAC staff can confirm that the materials are appropriate for use in our kiln.
Artists are responsible for understanding the firing characteristics of the clay and glazes they choose to use. This includes knowing how much a glaze may move, run, or drip during firing and ensuring that pieces are properly prepared and stilts or other appropriate firing supports are used when necessary. Artists should take appropriate precautions to prevent glaze from running onto kiln shelves.
BAC staff may decline to fire materials that are not compatible with our kiln or that pose a risk to kiln shelves or equipment.
Kiln Firing
Artists may bring completed work to BAC for firing. Firing is charged at $0.06 per cubic inch, based on the approximate volume of the finished piece.
Firing charges apply separately to each firing. For example, a piece that requires both a bisque firing and a glaze firing will be charged for each firing.
Artists are responsible for ensuring that their work is properly prepared for firing. Clay must be completely dry before being submitted for a bisque firing, and glaze must be applied appropriately for low-fire kiln firing.
BAC staff will handle kiln loading and firing. Artists may receive general guidance on preparing their work for firing, but BAC staff will determine kiln loading and firing schedules based on the needs of the kiln and the work being fired. If your work has completion deadlines, please let us know as far ahead of time as possible. Cone 6 firings do happen on occasion, if that is something you’re interested in please contact Rachel directly.
Firing Risks
While BAC staff will take reasonable care when handling and firing submitted work, ceramics firing carries inherent risks. Cracking, breaking, warping, glaze defects, glaze running, kiln shelf damage, kiln damage, and other unexpected results may occur during the firing process. BAC is not responsible for damage resulting from improperly prepared, excessively thick, wet, or otherwise unsuitable work, or from the artist's failure to properly understand the firing characteristics of their chosen materials.
By submitting work for firing, the artist acknowledges these risks and agrees to follow BAC's material and firing requirements.
Process
Artists interested in using this service should contact BAC before beginning their project to confirm available clay and glaze materials and discuss any questions about preparing their work for firing. Artists using outside materials should provide information about those materials for approval before beginning their project.
Once the work is complete and ready for firing, the artist will arrange a drop-off with BAC staff and pay the applicable firing fee.