1
newsletter M
B
R
/
O
O
B
CRAFTS
IRELAND
A number of internationally recognised specialists in saltglaze were invited to attend a workshop in Ireland to research the potential of
International Saltglaze Workshop August '94 at the Crafts Council's Pottery Skills Course, Thomastown
new insulating materials and firing procedures in this
production potters attending -
centuries old technique.
Nicky Mosse, Michael Jackson,
When the week long
Geoff Healy and Michael
workshop was advertised to Irish potters it was completely subscribed within a matter of days. The Crafts Council's pottery
Kennedy - was to look at the possibility of using salt-glazing for exclusive batch production as an addition to their current work.
facilities in Thomastown proved ah excellent resource for the project, which has resolved a number of issues in the use of insulation materials (to reduce energy costs) and in the management of kilns during firings. This was innovative research of a kind not previously attempted in any other country. Among those attending from abroad were Mick Casson, Wally Keeler and Jane Hamlyn from Britain, Janet Mansfield from Australia and Martin Goerg and Emil Heger from Germany. The principal interest of the Irish
All the participants took the opportunity to make work for the firings and the course studios were a hive of activity.
Roisin Collins and Niamh Hynes packing a fast
Fourteen experimental firings
fire ceramic fibre salt kiln.
took place using different
Photo - Leslie Reed
firing cycles and insulating
shows and a review of the
materials. There was huge
experimental firings was also
interest in the group as each of
well attended by potters from
these kilns was unpacked. On
around the country. The
the final day of the event, early
importance of the research was
rising Irish and foreign potters
shown when three British
climbed over a nine foot
potters came over for this one
wrought iron gate in their
day seminar alone.
impatience to be first to see the results of the last firing this included the seventy year old Mick Casson! This was typical of the enthusiasm generated during the week. An open seminar day of slide