From December 10 until December 17, 2025, the Fraser Valley Potters Guild participated in a wood-fire and sawdust fire at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts. On December 10, members glazed and wadded their pots, which were loaded on December 11. All member took shifts splitting and preparing wood, and stoking the kiln December 12 and 13th. The firing was a wonderful time to learn about the process, and the results were quite impressive. On December 17, the kiln was unloaded, shelves were ground and re-kiln washed, and the assembled pots were admired by all. At the same time, a sawdust fire was organized with those members interested in participating. Once all of the aluminum foil wrappings were removed, a rich variety of surfaces and colours were revealed.
These firings are great opportunities to come together as a guild, to learn about ceramic processes, and to see each others work. We are very much indebted to the work put in by our president, Cheryl Stapleton, who organized the complicated schedules, and by Linda Ward and Giovanna Cameron, who organized the sawdust firing. As ever, we were ably assisted by ace technicians Jay Maclennan and Tony Wilson. Thank you everyone, and have a great holiday season!
Top left: kiln in action. Bottom left: John Young and Patty Szeto on stoking duty; Right: sawdust kiln in action
Grinding the shelves and admiring the results