Pitfiring at the Phoenix Centre
Last week, members from Orwell Arts packed their bags and set off for the Phoenix Centre garden. It had been a while since the groups had visited, and the garden had sprung up all around. The sunflowers towered, the rainbow chard glimmered, and the cabbages had grown to immense proportions! The Garden workshop had clearly been hard at work all summer.
The Orwell Arts groups set about making three fires: a pitfire for firing ceramic works, a small kiln for making glass beads, and of course a barbecue to feed the hungry crowd!
In the photographs below, the blue marshmallow-like things are fired clay beads covered in powdered glass. This is how the Vikings and Ancient Egyptians would have made glass beads.
Meanwhile, the Pottery used seaweed, banana peels and copper to add colour to the surface of their clay pieces.
The group also took the opportunity to celebrate Michele’s birthday. Happy birthday, Michele!
Photos by Shannon Crosbie, Jazzlyn Schotanus and Rebecca Chan