Woodfire NC 2017 in Star, NC with pre-conference events across North Carolina

Woodfire NC 2017 will take place June 8—11, 2017 in Star, North Carolina. From the conference website:

An International Woodfire Conference at STARworks Center for Creative Enterprise in Star, N.C. A collaboration between STARworks, the North Carolina Pottery Center, and the woodfire potters of North Carolina, the conference will be preceded by several firing workshops across the state.

Pre-conference events will take place in Eastern North Carolina, Seagrove and in the NC Mountains in Western NC. Here’s the description of the NC Mountains Pre-Conference:

NC Mountains Pre-Conference, June 1-7

They are calling it the PreHEAT of western North Carolina. Participants and organizers of the NC Mountains pre-conference have assembled the region’s top woodfirers and a host of national and international guests for seven days of complete immersion into the exciting world of woodfiring. They have created an action-packed week, from June 1st through June 7th, of programming full of firings, exhibition receptions, demonstrations, studio tours, feasts, parties, and music, which promises to offer something special for everyone involved!

Starting June 1st, the NC Mountain Pre-Conference Artists and Invited Guests will be loading and firing nine kilns, each one a distinct style, at seven kiln sites across the region, and participants will get a chance to experience an array of different firing styles and see their work fired with a variety of unique effects. Participants are guaranteed to get 4.5 CU FT of work in the firings. That equals 3 shelves (12” x 24”) of 9” pots OR a 20” cube. (All work for the firing should be bisqued and preferably decorated/glazed prior to arrival. Limited glaze and slips will be provided at each of the 7 kiln sites. Please direct all shipped work to 119A Roberts St Asheville NC 28801)

National and International Guest Artists Include:

Ben Richardson
Alix Brodeur
Perry Haas
Kevin Lips
Tom Alward
Simon Levin
Joshua Kuensting
David Peters
Sandy Lockwood
Jennifer Halli

When a participant is not actively involved in loading or firing one of the nine kilns, there will be plenty of other opportunities to explore the rich woodfiring community of this area. Guided tours of area potteries will allow participants a direct insight into the studio practices and kiln philosophies of our presenters.

This pre-conference offers four full days of demonstrations by some of the field’s top makers, numerous exhibition openings, and a special evening banjo concert by our very own Akira Satake (and friends). The week will culminate at the Copus Compound with a woodfired pizza celebration as all three of Josh’s kilns are finished at the same time. All participants will receive a registration email detailing information about shipping work, what to expect when you arrive, and how best to prepare for the pre-conference after you register. No transportation is provided for traveling to the various pre-conference event sites.

Get the details on all the Woodfire NC pre-conference and conference events here: http://www.woodfirenc.com/