Wood Kiln Firing Workshop
Dates TBD, 2026
Join us for a week-long workshop in the Adirondacks to gain hands-on experience learning about the exciting process of wood firing. Craigardan’s interdisciplinary, community-focused programming combines the creative process and experiential learning with a stunning wilderness setting, incredible food from our farm, and exceptional creative support.
This workshop is intended for ceramic artists of all levels who are interested in learning more about atmospheric firing. Participants will spend the week at the beautiful Craigardan campus, glazing, loading and firing our wood/salt kiln as a group, with instruction and feedback from instructors at each step along the way. While the kiln cools, there will be time for group outings to hike and swim, and demonstrations in the ceramic studio. Everyone will be required to bring 2-3 cubic feet of high fire bisqueware, but no prior wood firing knowledge is necessary.
This experience will include:
• A luxury camping stay in the heart of the Adirondack’s high peaks
• Fresh, seasonal, organic food from our farm and partner farms
• Instruction and hands-on experience in every part of the glazing, loading and firing process
• Opportunities for excursions to local hiking and swimming destinations
The Details
Craigardan is built around creativity in community. The week will be spent connecting and learning with fellow makers, as we work together to have an exciting and successful firing.
PROGRAM + CURRICULUM. This workshop will focus on learning the foundational techniques and theories of atmospheric firing through a full firing cycle of the Craigardan wood and salt kiln. After an in-depth explanation of how the atmosphere affects different surfaces, participants will prepare their own work to fire with provided slips, glazes and, wadding. Next, a full day will be spent loading the kiln; understanding the best practices for an even firing and successful surfaces. The third day is the firing itself — everyone will be taking shifts to stoke the kiln and bring it up to temperature before the excitement of salting. While the kiln cools, there will be demonstrations in the studio and excursions into nature. After we unload the kiln together and assess the results as a group, there will be opportunity for individual feedback from Kyle.
FOOD. In-residence and on-site camping participants will receive a group farm share and fully stocked pantry that will provide enough food for the entire week. For all participants, including those staying off campus, there will be a welcome dinner provided on the night of arrival, and wood-fired pizzas the evening of the firing. In-residence participants are responsible for coordinating with each other for all other meal creation. Day-participants staying locally (off-campus) will need to bring their lunch each day.
Accommodations. In-residence participants sleep in their own tiny Artist Cabins, designed as a very modern take on the Adirondack Lean-to. Each beautiful cabin has a bed, writing table, good lighting, outlets, heat, closet space, and a small entry porch. The cabins are located on the main campus site, 1/3 mile drive or walk into the property from the farm + farmhouse. They are situated at the top of the campus clearing next to a Bath House which has four individual full bathrooms. All participants have access to shared living space in the beautiful new Applebarn. Our professional summer kitchen and dining area is in the Kiln House open-air pavilion.
On-site camping participants will have ample space to pitch their tents, either close to the buildings or anywhere off of the campus trail system. Campers will still have access to the Bath House, Applebarn and Kiln House Kitchen, as well as food from the farm share.
The Farm and Farmhouse is located 1/3 mile downhill from the main campus and houses our farm store, offices, and laundry facilities.
Internet is available in the Farmhouse (at the farm) and in the Applebarn and Kiln House (on campus). Cell phone service is spotty in the Adirondacks and almost non-existent on campus.
Please note that while our new campus is designed to be universally accessible, we will have increasing ability to accommodate specific needs as the campus is built. If you are living with a disability, please discuss this with staff so that we can work to support you to the absolute best of our ability at this time.
Our in-process campus is like luxury camping at its best. This will be a very comfortable yet rustic Adirondack experience that may not appeal to everyone. Please reach out to speak with staff about your needs if you have questions.
Participants are required to bring:
Kiln and studio safety equipment including gloves, eye protection, and respirator (if you want to salt the kiln)
Headlamp
3 cubic feet of cone 10 bisqueware
Schedule. Arrive at Craigardan on Monday between 2pm and 4pm to check in and enjoy orientation and a welcome dinner.
Work closely with instructors Tuesday through Sunday to prepare work, load, fire, cool, unload, and clean up the kiln.
Depart Craigardan on Monday morning before 10am.
TRANSPORTATION. Participants must arrange their own transportation to the Adirondacks. The region is served by Albany, Burlington, Plattsburgh, and Saranac Lake Airports. Montreal is also only two hours away.
Keene and Keene Valley have regular bus service. Train service through Amtrak is possible from NYC or Montreal into Westport. From these locations we offer pick up/drop off for a $40 fee.
There is no Lyft, Uber, or other car service in the area. Rental cars are available at all airports.
Registration and Fees
ALL INCLUSIVE. The program fee is all-inclusive except for transportation to the Adirondacks.
Program Fees. Fees include accommodations, food, materials, and the program + curriculum for the week for each participant.
$850 Day-Participant Only: Six Days / includes full program experience and two communal dinners. Other meals not included.
$1300 On-campus tent camping: Six days, Seven nights / includes full program experience, dispersed camping with your own gear on site, access to bath house, and all food.
$1850 In-residence Cabin: Six Days, Seven nights / includes full program experience, private accommodations in a cabin, and all food. Only six cabins are available.
There are a limited number of need-based scholarships available, please inquire by emailing: program@craigardan.org
To Register. Space is limited. We require a 50% non-refundable deposit to hold your spot, with the balance due in full by April 1st, 2026.
Cancellation Policy. The deposit is non-refundable. If you need to cancel after the balance is paid in full, you will receive a refund only if we are able to fill your spot. We reserve the right to cancel the retreat up to 1 month prior to its scheduled start due to unforeseen circumstances. Under no circumstances will refunds for travel expenses be made.
Your Guides - The magic is in the people
Kyle Brumsted. (he, him) Kyle is a Brooklyn based artist originally from Ithaca, NY. He has worked as an apprentice, technician, teacher, and resident artist at studios throughout the U.S. and Canada. After completing an apprenticeship at Atelier Spirale in Montreal and an internship at Baltimore Clayworks, Kyle was awarded the 2018 Teaching Fellowship at Craigardan, where he spent the year as a resident artist. Since then, Kyle has gone on to teach at many ceramic studios including The East Side Pot Shop and The Contemporary Austin, where he also worked as the salt kiln technician. Currently, Kyle is an instructor at BKLYN Clay and Greenwich House Pottery, and a fabricator at KWH Furniture.
Among many other things, Kyle is interested in making finely crafted functional pots, building community through the joy of collective making and knowledge-sharing, and firing atmospheric kilns. He has returned to Craigardan for several short term residencies, including to assist with the construction of the new wood kiln.
Michele Drozd. (she, her) Michele is the co-founder and executive director of Craigardan. She has a BFA in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics (NYSCC) at Alfred University, and worked under Petras Vaskys, Laszlo Fekete and Marie Baron studying design, mold making, tile, and sculpture. After traveling the world and finding her home in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, she became intensely interested in art and entrepreneurialism, the revitalization of small rural towns, food and agriculture, conservation and historic preservation - and the connections between them. Since 2002 she has worked within these fields in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Her belief that the creative process helps us imagine and build a better world has led to numerous community and social justice initiatives that use cross-disciplinary collaboration as a tool for systems change.