"Dear Allison, Blair and Nadette, Thank you so much for sharing a wonderful wood-firing!! It was such a great experience and I enjoyed working for the hungry kiln. It's amazing to see how wood burns, smokes and heat comes out from the kiln, and thinking about all of our art works being inside of that red hot kiln. It was very wild and exciting!!! Thank you again for your hard work and giving me a chance to experience it!!" - Kumiko Nuss, workshop participant
Experience the kinship and the magic of firing the wood salt kiln at the Pottery at Searchwell! Wood-firing workshops are available for ceramic instructors and their students or for potters who organize their own crews and are interested in finishing their wares with salt and fire. Blair and Allison will encourage complete hands on participation and share their techniques on glazing for the wood kiln, stacking methods, firing and stoking patterns and salting. Workshops begin on Saturday mornings with arrival of participants and their pots. The kiln is packed Saturday, preheated Saturday night, and fired Sunday. A unique and wonderful opportunity for those potters with an interest in a complete hands-on wood-firing experience and for those wishing to see their pots decorated naturally by fire, ash and salt. For more information on reserving the kiln for a workshop contact Allison at 240.446.9552 or email us at Allison@allisonseverancepottery.com. Click here for guidelines and fees.
In addition to wood-firing workshops, space within the kiln is often available for rent when Allison and Blair fire. For those interested in seeing the effects of the fire and salt on a few pieces, contact Allison at 240.446.9552 or Blair at 505.629.6933.
Upcoming Workshops with Allison and Blair
- November 5th and 6th, 2011:
Susie Cohen's class from the Art League
Upcoming Art League Workshops with Allison and Blair
The following dates are workshops organized by the Art League school and led by Allison and Blair. These workshops are open and available to all potters interested in wood-firing at the Boonsboro pottery. Registration with the Art League is required. Participants may bring up to 18 pieces. The fee is $195. For additional information or to register contact Blair or call the Art League at 703-683-2323.
- September 24th and 25th, 2011
- March 24th and 25th, 2012
Accommodations, Etc.
Some out of towners may find accommodations here in our historic home or are more than
welcome to camp out in our pine grove! If accommodations are not available here, visit
the following establishments:
Stoney Creek Farm is a beautiful
bed and breakfast just down the road and across the creek.
The Bavarian Inn is about 15 minutes
away and overlooks the Potomac River in beautiful Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
The Sleep Inn
in Hagerstown is just off I-70 and about seven miles from the pottery.
Click here for information about visiting the Pottery at
Searchwell and nearby attractions.
Click here for directions to the pottery.
Photos by Debbie Williamson