The 2023 Southwest Kiln Conference will be held on September 29 – October 1, 2023 at the Edge of the Cedars State Park in Blanding, Utah. Register for the conference here
Friday, September 29th
- 9:00 – 11:00 Check-in – Front entrance of Edge of the Cedars Museum
All registered attendees can check-in and collect their conference packet including t-shirts, meal and tour tickets. Those bringing pottery for the trench-firing can also check-in and drop off their pots. All pottery for the trench-firing must be checked in before 3:00PM. If you arrive after 11:00, please check-in at the front desk of the museum.- Pottery Check-in: registered attendees who would like to include creations in the trench-firing must check in their pottery. Please limit yourself to no more than two small (mug-sized) pots or one medium (10” diameter) pot. Pots that are too large or are not safe to be in the firing will be excluded and returned to the potter. Those wishing to surface fire their pieces will meet up with surface firing kiln bosses Friday afternoon and are not required to check in those pots. Firings always include a level of risk and conference organizers cannot ensure that your submitted creation will be undamaged or yield the results you are hoping for.
- 10:00 – 1:00 Welcome, Talks, & Discussion – Edge of the Cedars Presentation Room
- “Pueblo I & II Orange and Red Ware” – Bill Lucius & Irene Wessell – A presentation of how these wares were made and moved around the Southwest.
- “Guest Artist Presentation” – Jeff Suina – Blue Ribbon winner for Traditional Style Pottery at this year’s Santa Fe Indian Market, Jeff will share how he blends traditional methodology of making Cochiti pottery into contemporary works of art and where he draws inspiration for his creative work.
- “Hunted History in Photos” – Wayne Keene – Images and stories from private pottery collections from the 1980’s will provide a background for discussion and sharing ideas about how to protect historic ceramics.
- 1:00 – 3:00 Demonstrations – Front Plaza
Come observe a variety of potters, painters, and tool-makers ply their craft. - 4:00 Tile Painting Activity – Front Plaza
Try your hand at painting a prepared tile with a geometric pattern or other design. Tiles will be included in Saturday’s trench firing and will be available for pick-up on Sunday morning after the kiln is excavated. Sign up to participate during check-in. Space is limited.
Saturday, September 30th
- 7:00 – 11:30 Kiln Firings – Kiln yard located on the southwest corner of 600W and Brushy Basin Road just north of the Museum
Observe the trench-firing process and a variety of surface-firings. All checked-in pottery destined for the trench-firing will be moved by conference volunteers. - 1:00 – 4:30 Open Market – Front Plaza
Makers and artists are welcome to display and sell their conference-appropriate creations. - 5:30 – Catered Dinner – Front Plaza
Please join us for a meal of vegan, classic or chicken and green chili tacos with toppings and sauces, mocha brownies and lemon bars and prickly pear limeade. You must have a dinner ticket for the meal, but are welcome to join the gathering with your own food. - 7:00 – Trade Blanket – Front Plaza
This event allows conference attendees to join in the fun of trading creations, tools, or materials with their community. You do not need to have anything to trade to attend.
Sunday, October 1st
- 8:00 – Trench Excavation and Discussion of Results – Kiln yard located on the southwest corner of 600W and Brushy Basin Road just north of the Museum
Observe the opening of the trench kiln, retrieve pottery, and have a chance to discuss the results of the firing. - 10:30 Group Photo & Farewell – Front Plaza
2024 Southwest Kiln Conference – September 27-29 – Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Cortez, Colorado