Wood Firing Seminar

3-4 OCT 2026

This seminar brings together guest artists and the leaders of the wood firing sessions, who will give lectures on their areas of expertise and share insights from their practice.

In addition to the talks, participants will have the opportunity to witness live demonstrations by Ted Neal and Michal Puszczynski, showcasing large-scale sculpture building and advanced throwing techniques. The program offers a unique chance to learn directly from experienced practitioners and to explore the processes and ideas behind contemporary wood-fired ceramics. 

Price for both days: 750 DKK
Price for one day: 550 DKK

Details
Language: English
Maximum number of attendees per day: 60  
Lunch is included on both days. Please specify any dietary requirements.
Between presentations, there will be short breaks during which seminar participants can enjoy coffee and tea.

Seminar Sign-Up and Questions
For registration or any questions concerning the seminar, please send an e-mail to: oskar@ceramic.dk

Program

Saturday 3 October

09:50 Welcome introduction 

10:00 Elisa Helland-Hansen (Norway): FFF – Focus on Function and Form 

Drawing on fifty years of practice as a potter, Elisa Helland Hansen explores how function has consistently guided her investigation of form and utility. In this presentation, she shares reflections and practical insights on ergonomics and use, focusing on weight distribution, balance, shape, handles, spouts, lips, and tactility. Through examples from her own work, she considers how subtle decisions in form and surface influence both the hand and the experience of everyday use. 


11.30 Michal Puszczynski (Poland): From Tongkama to Hybrid Train Kiln – Two Decades of Wood-Firing Research 
  
This lecture presents over twenty years of wood-firing research and practice at the Luboradów Center of the Academy of Art and Design in Wrocław, beginning with the construction of the Tongkama kiln in 2006. Over time, the center has evolved into a long-term platform for ceramic education, artistic experimentation, and international collaboration, engaging hundreds of students and invited artists from Poland and abroad. 
The presentation traces the development of wood firing from traditional kiln models toward hybrid and research-oriented approaches, with a particular focus on the Hybrid Train Kiln built in 2024 in collaboration with Professor Ted Neal and a multidisciplinary team. Designed as a research tool, the kiln enables new investigations into fuel efficiency, emission reduction, and alternative firing strategies. 
Situated between tradition and innovation, the lecture reflects on wood firing as a contemporary practice shaped by technological development, sustainability, collective labor, and the exchange of knowledge. 

13:00 Lunch Break 
 
14:00 Thiebaut Chague (France): Phoenix: Performances & Monumental Ceramic Creations 

Thiebaut Chague will discuss his long-standing practice of creating monumental ceramic works fired in situ. Drawing on projects such as Le Ventre de la Terre and the ongoing Phoenix series, he will reflect on fire as both a transformative and destructive force, and on ceramics as a performative, collective act. The presentation explores the balance between studio-based introspection and public, participatory making, where monumental works become sites of encounter, ritual, and shared experience. 

16:00 Michal Puszczynski (Poland) Demonstration: Building Large Scale Sculptures

Michal Puszczynski will demonstrate techniques for building large-scale ceramic sculptures, focusing on structure, balance, and material handling. The demo offers insight into working at scale and the practical challenges of constructing sculptural forms intended for firing.

Sunday October 4

09:50 Welcome introduction

10:00 Yuichi Romita (Japan/UK): From Shigaraki to Karatsu: A Wood-Fired Journey

In this presentation, Yuichi Romita introduces yakishime pottery and traditional Japanese wood-firing practices, where fire and ash shape unglazed ceramic surfaces. Drawing on his experience in Shigaraki and Karatsu, he reflects on contrasting firing approaches, from dramatic, ash-rich surfaces to quieter, more restrained aesthetics, highlighting how place, tradition, and kiln atmosphere influence form, surface, and use.

11:30 Ted Neal (USA): Considerations in Wood Kiln Design and Building

Ted Neal will discuss the key factors behind thoughtful wood-kiln design, shaped by individual needs, fuel supply and availability, choices of refractory materials, ecological impact, and overall user experience. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience and the construction of over 100 wood kilns of varying styles and scales, he reflects on how each kiln becomes a balance of function, design, and efficiency, tailored to a specific maker or institution. The talk concludes with shared lessons from practice and an invitation to open, practical discussion with anyone interested in wood-kiln building.

13:00 Lunch Break

14:00 Jari Vesterinen (Finland): Wild Clays and Anagama Firing

In his presentation, Jari Vesterinen will share his experiences working with Finnish wild clays and firing them in the anagama kiln. The talk will explore material sourcing, preparation, and the relationship between local clays and wood-fired processes, offering insight into how geology, place, and firing conditions shape ceramic outcomes.

16:00 Ted Neal (USA): Demonstration

Advanced wheel-throwing techniques

Ted Neal will present a throwing demonstration, sharing advanced techniques developed through decades of experience. The demo will focus on form, rhythm, and efficiency on the wheel, offering valuable insights for both functional and sculptural makers.