Atmospheric Effects in Electric Kilns with Kala Stein

Instructor:  Kala Stein

Host: Kala Stein Studio

Location: La Haye Art Center, 148 East Napa Street, Sonoma, CA 95476

Limited to 5 participants. $450 includes materials and firing for 4 sessions. Choose one timeslot to attend each session:

Morning Session: 10am-1pm

or

Evening Session: 6pm–9pm

Discover new possibilities in cone 5 electric-kiln firing through an immersive, hands-on workshop rooted in Kala Stein’s research into atmospheric effects using multiple clay bodies, slips, underglazes, stains, and foraged or found materials. Held in Kala’s Sonoma studio, participants will have direct access to her full material library and kiln setup, creating a uniquely intimate and experimental learning environment.

Over four sessions, you’ll design, test, analyze, and refine a personalized series of atmospheric experiments, building toward confidently applying these techniques to your own work. Whether you’re seeking subtle surface variation or dramatic textural shifts, this workshop offers a structured yet exploratory approach to deepen your material understanding and expand your firing vocabulary.


Tuesday, January 6 — Session 1

Design & Develop Experiments + Load Kiln

Create a focused testing plan using clay bodies, slips, colorants, and found materials. Prepare and load the first kiln firing.


Thursday, January 8 — Session 2

Unload, Analyze, Refine + Load Kiln

Review results from the first firing. Identify successful strategies and refine experiments for the second round of testing.


Tuesday, January 13 — Session 3

Unload, Apply Techniques to Bisqueware + Load Kiln

Evaluate outcomes, then apply selected atmospheric techniques to your “good” bisqueware for a more intentional application. Load the final kiln.


Thursday, January 15 — Session 4

Final Unload, Documentation & Next Steps

Unload the final firing, discuss results, cold finishing options, troubleshoot, and outline individualized paths for continued exploration. 

Instructor

Artist, Educator, CEO Kala Stein

Kala Stein (b.1979) is an artist and designer noted for innovative mold making and casting techniques. At the intersection of craft, design, and new technologies, her work explores notions of beauty through fabrication systems and materials. Kala received her MFA in Ceramics from the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University in 2009. She stayed on at Alfred to teach ceramics and curate at the Cohen Gallery from 2009-2015. From 2015-2022 she was the Director of Ceramics and Arts at Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma Ceramics. She exhibits her work nationally and works with private clients on custom designs for the home and hospitality industry. Her community based work is aimed at developing models to help organizations and artists operate with sustainable and equitable practices and to be inclusive through art advocacy. Her studio is located at 148 E. Napa Street in Sonoma and open by appointment.