The Art of Fire
with Pamela Woodworth
Introduction
The Art of Fire is a 10 day ceramics retreat with Pamela Woodworth
Pamela was one of The Six resident artists in 2025. Her work from that residency was juried into the prestigious show, ‘Will of the Kiln’, as part of the New England Woodfire Conference 2025, She is the proud owner of Pine Row Studio - a gallery and ceramic arts teaching studio in Mount Vernon, Ohio, USA, that she established in 2016. Pamela has a gift for fire - she has fired wood kilns all over the world and loves sharing those firings with others. We are thrilled to have her teaching The Art of Fire. Get to know her better here.
Overview
For more than 20 years I (Pamela) have been captivated by the art of the stoke of the wood fire kiln. In the realm of artistic aesthetics in creating with clay, the wood fire process is unique, exhilarating, and obsessive! The intersection of earth, air, wood and fire lends results to the ceramic object that are achieved no other way. The intrigue of using our land’s oldest fuel source to achieve dynamic and unique pottery surfaces is humbling and elegant, sacred and exhilarating, all at once. Join me!
Content
We will begin the retreat hands-on, creating work using clay that is known to be responsive to the reduction environment of the wood fire kiln. I will give several brief demonstrations on day one and two in hand-building, with a focus on mugs and jars. We will discuss at length the ceramic surface and the slips and glazes that respond well to flame, fire, and ash.
The art of the wood fired kiln requires an understanding of many different variables in play at each stoke to the fire box. I will be sharing knowledge and encouraging exploration on three philosophies of atmospheric firing with wood - intuitive stoke, once-firing, and down firing. The retreat is open to all levels of experience and to ceramic artists interested in learning the art of fire.
Firing
After several days of making, we will glaze and fire our pieces in a wood-burning kiln. I'll instruct the group on thoughtful and playful loading considerations for atmospheric firing, how to take advantage of ash and flame effects, and how to efficiently fire with wood. The firing is always a highlight of the retreat - offering time for conversation around the firebox, and developing a more intimate relationship with the firing process.
This retreat will include a bonus firing! While “Cantico” the Il Baciarino woodfire kiln is on the cool down, we will still be playing with fire and will have work we created day two for the Raku kiln! We’ll exploring raku crackle glazes, horse hair and feather burns, as well as fthe technique of obvara.
Wellness
This retreat will hold an abundance of opportunity to explore, relax and reflect among the beautiful countryside of our Tuscan hosts, at Il Baciarino. There are many comfortable nooks and scenic sunshine filled views to slow the pace and appreciate the breath-taking beauty of rural Tuscany. Yoga, quiet meditation, walk, run, or simply sketch and read - you choose your down time activity. In my studio practice, those quiet moments are essential to the balance of creating and the communal aspect of firing a wood fire kiln. We will have an itinerary that will allow us to explore Italian culture, visit a tiny Tuscan town, enjoy the wonderful museum and cultural sites of the ancient Etruscans. We will visit the breath taking beauty of the near by ancient hill top village of Castiglone della Pesciaia, the gelato is not to be missed, and visit the lovely beach. Available to us at Il Baciarino is the private sauna and the option to take a dip in the hot tub under the Tuscan stars. It is truly the perfect place and balance to the physical endeavor of wood firing. Join me!
Participants
Nine participants
Instructor
This retreat is taught by Pamela Woodworth
Cost
The retreat costs €2300 which covers instruction, clay and firings, meals and drinks, trips and tastings, tools and materials, and train station pick-up and drop-off.
Accommodations
Accommodations are priced separately and are available on a first come, first serve basis.
La Quercia, tucked away at the end of a treelined path, is a nature lover’s paradise. It boasts a queen bed, private viewing deck, and a breathtaking view. €1080 (for the 9 nights)
La Dolce Vita, with its large deck and outside seating area, is our best known cottage. It has a double bed and little sitting room. €1080
La Rondine, located right next to the studios, boasts a queen bed, huge floor to ceiling windows, and a sweet little loft. €1080
La Lucciola, located nearest to the kilns, has a queen bed, a delightful little balcony, and easy street access. €1080
L'Isidora, located just under La Lucciola, has a queen bed, and an ivy enclosed porch. €900
La Pesca, located at the top of the property, is a house with a huge deck and four bedrooms that artists share. There are two upper bedrooms with single beds that share a bathroom - €500 each. The two lower bedrooms share a bathroom and each have a double bed - €550 each.
Before deciding, I highly recommend having a look at the location where the retreats are held either via their instagram or website. It’s truly spectacular.
