PART I: August 30, 2025 - Students will learn the ins and outs of wood firing, including all of its quirks, materials, and important considerations before preparing work for a wood fire kiln. Students will be guided through concepts and provided with special clay bodies that they'll take with them to throw or handbuild work for the firing. Easthampton Clay will bisque fire your workshop pieces in preparation for the next session if you are a current student or member of our studio.

PART 2: September 20, 2025 - Students will learn wadding and glazing, prepare their pots for the firing and begin to load the kiln. This is an interactive day where students will be hands with the finishing of their pots, as well as in the loading process.

PART 3: September 21, 2025 - Firing begins! We will organize shifts of 1-2 people for a couple of hours on this day. This will not require your full day.

PART 4: September 27, 2025 - We unload, clean up, and celebrate!

James Guggina Woodfire Workshop

Join Easthampton Clay and renowned potter James Guggina for this four part, hands on workshop! Students will learn the ins and outs of wood fired pottery, and participate in every step of the firing process at James’ studio kiln in Florence, MA. The right candidate for this workshop has experience independently constructing work, and has access to a bisque firing between parts 1 and 2 of this workshop. No experience with wood firing necessary.

Lucy Fagella has been making and teaching pottery for over 40 years. In 2001 she began her full-time career as a potter, specializing in handmade urns, salt cellars, garlic, keepers, sugar, jars, and other functional lidded jars for the kitchen. Her work has been included in many national juried and invitational exhibitions, as well as various publications and ceramic books. American Craft Magazine, Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated, Crafts Report, Studio Potter, Country Living, Yankee Magazine, Foodies of New England, and Edible Pioneer Valley. Ceramic books include, 500 Cups, 500 Pitchers, 500 Teapots Vol 2, by Lark publications. Design and Create Contemporary Tableware, Herbert Press. In the Potter’s Kitchen, American Ceramic Society. Lucy has been a member of the Asparagus Valley Pottery Guild since 2001 and is one of the founding members of the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail since its inception in 2005. 

"The first time I set my hands on clay I was a senior in high school, I knew immediately I wanted to make a career of it. I graduated from Alfred University School of Art and Design with a BFA in 1985. I set my sights on one day being able to make a living from my work. Slowly over the years between raising children and teaching ceramics I honed my skills as a potter, and in 2001 I was able to make pottery a full time endeavor.”

Maya Machin grew up on a homestead in Vermont where the emphasis was on using and making things by hand. Maya began her pottery endeavors at Romulus Craft where she did a mini-apprenticeship for her senior project in high school, and was completely hooked. She attended Hampshire College and concentrated on early childhood education and ceramics. In 2003, she began a three-year apprenticeship with Mark Shapiro in Worthington, MA. She has also studied under and/or assisted David Stuempfle, Michael Kline, Kim Ellington, Naomi Dalglish, and Michael Hunt. She shows regularly in juried craft shows and galleries in the area. Maya has always loved teaching and is adept at meeting every student where they are and helping them increase their skill in a way that works for them.