Kiln Building Workshop: Soda Test Kiln - Sep 4-Oct 6, 2025

with Robert Williams

📍 September 4th - October 6th, 2025 | Maple Mountain Pottery 

Address: 165 W 600 N, Mapleton, UT 84664

Phone: (801) 995-5088

Join us in learning about kiln types, refractory basics, and practical design principles while gaining hands-on experience installing bricks, castables, and arches. Over five weeks, you’ll work alongside an experienced builder to construct a test kiln, concluding with a soda firing.

The cost of the course is $500 — an investment in learning kiln design and building from the ground up, with the added reward of firing your work in the kiln you helped create.
 🎟 Only 6 spots available — reserve yours now!

Text 801-995-5088 or email maplemountainpottery@gmail.com to reserve your spot

🗓 Workshop Schedule Overview

Week 1, Thursday, September 4, 6:30-8:30 PM

  • Refractory basics
  • Kiln floor installation

Week 2, Thursday, September 11, 6:30-8:30 PM

  • Kiln types and what's right for you
  • Pour castable for burner ports

Week 3, Thursday, September 19, 6:30-8:30 PM

  • Kiln design basics
  • Build kiln walls

Week 4, Thursday, September 29, 6:30-8:30 PM

  • How to build an arch form
  • Install arch

Week 5, Thursday, October 2, 6:30-8:30 PM

  • Door construction
  • Bring 3-4 small pots (mug, cereal bowl, etc.)
  • Start loading kiln

Firing, Saturday, October 4, 6:00 AM-FINISH

  • Soda introduction mid-afternoon

Kiln Unloading, Monday, October 6, 6:00 PM

  • Snack/Treat Potluck
  • Unload kiln

Unscheduled things throughout: using and installing refractories, tips and tricks from an experienced builder

🏺 Clay Selection

Because we fire the soda kiln to cone 10-12, your best options are Continental Clay Wood Fire Porcelain or B-Clay Stoneware

The next best option is Laguna Wood Fire B-Mix 

In a pinch you can take 3 parts B-Mix and 1 part Long Beach, or for something even darker, 1 part Death Valley. Wedge it up well and go for it. 

Pots need to be bisque fired to cone 06 before the workshop, do not glaze them beforehand, you will use our liner glazes for your work. 

🎓 Instructor

Robert Williams

Studio Owner

Robert is a ceramic artist whose work bridges ancient pottery traditions with contemporary material exploration. His journey with clay began at fourteen as a high school freshman, marking the start of a devotion to the craft that now spans over two decades.

Initially drawn to art as an undergraduate, Robert discovered his passion lay specifically with ceramics. He pursued Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation as his major while minoring in art, later earning his Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics from Brigham Young University in 2018.

Robert's graduate work focused on material exploration, investigating innovative glazing techniques and clay properties. He has discovered and incorporated "wild" clays sourced from multiple locations, which featured prominently in his final master's exhibition. A passionate advocate of wood-fired pottery, Robert continues to explore the intersection of traditional ceramic practices and contemporary artistic expression.

💸 Pricing & Registration

  • 🎟 Just $500

  • 🎯 Space limited to 6 participants

  • ✅ Secure your spot early – this will sell out!

Text Robert at 801-995-5088 or email maplemountainpottery@gmail.com to reserve your spot