Soda Firing Workshop (ArtsCenter) – Doug Dotson Pottery

Cone 6 Soda Firing Workshop

ArtsCenter August 2026

Contact Information

Doug Dotson

(919) 444-9678 (call or text)

Instagram@DougDotsonPottery

DougDotsonPottery@gmail.com

305 Mockernut Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Class Schedule

Class Details

Presentation Slide Deck

Class Schedule

Thursday August 27, 2026, 6-9pm. Carrboro ArtsCenter. Surfaces and Slips for Soda Firing.
September 17, 2026, half of all pots due on the to-be-bisqued shelf
October 1, 2026, the last day to get bone dry pots on the bisque shelf (earlier is better)
Saturday October 10, 2026, 9am-3pm. Load the kiln. Doug Dotson Pottery
Sunday October 11, 2026, Fire the kiln. Doug Dotson Pottery
Sunday October 18, 2026. 9am-12noon Unload. Doug Dotson Pottery.

Class Details

Each student is allotted kiln space the size of about 25 mugs. Students are welcome to make larger and smaller pieces in most any shape. Taller pieces of 7-10″ are welcome. Large platters are not so welcome. Really small pieces pretty much always get in. Extra pots are encouraged – I promise to work hard to get them in!

Classroom session
Introductions
Process Overview
Clay that works well
What pots work well
Review resources at DougDotsonPottery.com
Surfaces for soda atmosphere
Slip Demo
Loading
Start at 9am at Doug Dotson Pottery (305 Mockernut Road, Pittsboro)
Wad Pottery and organize
Load half the kiln
Potluck! Bring food to share if you like. I will
Load the other half of the kiln
Firing
Fire the kiln. The firing starts slowly right after the loading and finishes at about 3pm the next day.
Students are welcome to come for as much or as little of the firing as they like.
Soda spraying will probably be in the early afternoon and students can participate.
Wheel and handle demo? Try Doug’s treadle wheel?
Unloading
Unload the kiln as a group so everyone sees results
What clay bodies worked well?
What slips and glazes worked well?
Document successes and failures
Demo: Finishing pots after the firing