Wood Firing in U.S. Ceramics Education, 2010
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1. Thank you for taking this survey-your feedback is appreciated!

 
The information gathered from this survey will focus on analyzing current pedagogical aspects of wood firing within U.S. academic institutions, including public and private colleges and universities. The information will be presented at the First European Wood Fire Conference in Brollin, Germany and will provide intimate details of 6-10 specific institutions whose wood firing programs are thriving. Statistical data, facts, opinions, and insights will be included. Images of kilns, loading, firing, and the resulting wares of professors and students involved in the research will also be highlighted.

1. Please provide the name and location of the institution for which you are completing the survey. If you are teaching or taking classes at multiple institutions, feel free to complete a survey for each.
2. Do you like to wood fire your own clay work?
3. How are you involved with your institution?
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4. On a scale of 1-10, how popular is wood firing in your ceramics program?
1-Least Popular2-3-Average45-Most Popular
Rating Scale
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5. How important is wood firing for students who:
1-Least Important2-3-Average45-Most Important
Are pursuing a BFA in ceramics?
Are pursuing a BFA in another studio area?
Are pursuing an MFA in ceramics?
Are taking art classes just for general education?
6. Please rate the following firing techniques according to their popularity in the studio at your institution.
1-Least Popular23-Average45-Most Popular
Low Fire Electric kiln
Oxidation Gas Kiln
Reduction Gas Kiln
Raku
Pit Fire
Wood Fire
Salt Fire
Soda Fire
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7. Is the wood kiln(s) located on campus?
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8. Who owns the wood kiln(s) that your institution uses?
9. Is the popularity of wood firing at your school:
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10. Where is the fire wood obtained? (check all that apply)
11. Who cuts and splits the wood for firing?
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12. What type of wood do you use to fire your kiln?
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13. If firing participants cut and split the wood, what method (s) are used?
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14. Who built the wood kiln(s)? (check all that apply)
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15. How was the wood kiln(s)paid for?
16. How much did the kiln(s)cost to build?
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17. Who loads the kiln? How long does it take to load?
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18. How are firing shifts delegated?
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19. How do you share the hospitality/cooking during the firing?
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20. How do you clean the kiln?
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21. If a student wanted to learn about wood firing and could only participate in one the following aspects, which would be the most important?
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22. How do you approach teaching the asethetics of wood firing?

For example:
Contemporary - anything goes, the kiln is just a tool. Japanese Influence - lots of ash, wabi sabi, sacred rituals?
European / Colonial American Influence - bourry box, ground-hog kiln, less ash, alkaline glazes, maybe some salt?
Low Fire - get it done quick!
I don't teach...
23. Do you put green ware in the kiln? If yes, how frequently?
24. How do you wad the pots?
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25. If anything, what would you change about your current kiln or firing situation in the context of education? For instance, have people take turns loading pots.
26. What are students most excited about regarding the wood fired surface?
Not InterestedSlightly InterestedExcitedMost Excited
Ash drips
Flashing
Charcoal
Warping/kiln manipulation
Glazes
Slips
Hands on participation in the firing
27. Describe your kiln unloading process.
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28. When critiquing wood fired pieces what are some of the key discussion points that come up?
29. Have any of the following natural disasters effected your kiln?
30. Has woodfiring been a nuisance to anyone? If so, who?
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31. Would you be interested in having your institution profiled in detail for publication and for presentation at the First European Wood Fire Conference in Bröllin, Germany? This would involve further communication and gathering some pictures, etc.
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