Whangarei Quarry Arts Centre

Cone 9 – 10 Stoneware Wood-Firing 

Experience Soda Firing with the QAC Phoenix Kiln

Step into the world of soda fired ceramics with our Community Phoenix Soda Firing workshop at Quarry Arts Centre. Whether you’re a hobbyist or an experienced clay artist, this hands-on workshop will introduce and deepen your understanding of soda firing and its unique surface effects.

Lead by our Kiln Boss and Kiln Leaders, you’ll fire your pottery in The QAC Phoenix wood-fired kiln, designed by Duncan Shearer. Over the course of this firing, you’ll explore essential techniques like soda slip application, glazing with QAC House glazes, and build your experience with wood-kiln loading and firing.

$180 | Limited to 9 participants

What You Will Be Introduced To:

● Soda Slip Application

● Glaze Techniques

● Layout & Loading

● The Firing Process

● Unloading & Revealing

Important Dates:

● Registration closes: Tuesday 30th September

● Pre-Firing & Introduction Meeting: Thursday 2nd October 4pm

● Soda Slip Surface Application: Thursday 30th October | 4pm – 8pm

● Bisque Delivery: Thursday 30th October (after soda slip application)

● Delivery & Glazing: Thursday 6th November | 5pm – 8pm

● Layout & Loading the Kiln: Friday 7th & Saturday 8th November | 10am – 4pm

● Firing Phoenix Kiln: Sunday 9th November | 6am – 6pm

● Unloading the Kiln: Saturday 15th November | 12pm

Whangarei Quarry Arts Centre

Teens Can Turn | Pottery Wheel 8 week course
Term 4 on Wednesdays beginning 15th October 2025
DROP-OFF FROM 3:50 PM – 4:00 PM
WORKSHOP START AT 4:00 PM
PICKUP AT 6.30 PM
Ages: 13-18

Across an engaging 8-week course for teens aged 13–18, these three-hour after-school workshops invite students to discover the art of clay and the potter’s wheel. They’ll learn to throw, shape, trim, decorate, and apply glazes to their cups and bowls. By the end of the course, each student will complete up to four finished pieces. All materials, tools and kiln firing is included.

Joining the Quarry Arts Centre as Term 4’s tutor is Jesse Bowling. Currently an Art and Art History teacher at Whangarei Girls High School, Jesse is a sculptor and a confident hand on the pottery wheel. With a Master of Fine Art from the Victorian College of the Arts, Jesse brings a hands-on, creative approach to teaching—encouraging teens to discover clay through making, experimenting, and thinking critically.

Northland Ceramic Diploma Group – Quarry Arts Centre

Diploma phoenix firing

The Diploma students have hired the phoenix kiln at the Quarry Arts Centre. Firing on

Thursday, 18th September:

Everyone is busy working on their projects and incorporating that with the work needed for the wood firing.

We would like to welcome those who maybe interested in the diploma course or the firing to come along and gain more understanding. Any questions on the diploma or the firing, or to give your support, are all welcome.

Fire and Earth Studios – Maungatapere