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Kiln Firing Services

To support artists in our community and beyond, Berkshire Art Center provides several kiln firing services.

  • Electric Oxidation to Cone 6

  • Gas Reduction to Cone 10

  • Soda Firing to Cone 10

Fees and glazes differ for each of these firing options.

For the safety of our kilns and the work within them, we require that you verify that your clay body has a range from Cone 6 to Cone 10.

Pay for Kiln Firing

Private Kiln Firings

Berkshire Art Center offers private firing services in addition to our regular firing schedule. Learn more about private kiln firing options and fees.

Please email ceramics@berkshireartcenter.org to schedule a private firing, or with any questions.

Using Kiln Fire

for Kiln Firing

Berkshire Art Center uses Kiln Fire to manage Open Studio scheduling, kiln firing, and clay/tool purchases.

This web service allows users to create an account, snap a photo of their pottery piece, record notes, submit measurements, purchase and book open studio time, and pay kiln firing fees online. See how Kiln Fire works!

Please follow the steps below if you have greenware (leather hard work) that you wish to fire, or bisqueware that requires glaze firing.

STEP 1 Review our policies

Before bringing outside clay or glaze to Berkshire Art Center, please review our Ceramics Policies.

STEP 2 Register for Kiln Fire

Log in or sign up to become a Kiln Fire user to track your work and pay for firing fees.

STEP 3 Measure Your Work

There is a measuring station in the Ceramics Studio. Use Kiln Fire to submit measurements and pay for your work.

STEP 4 Drop Off Your Work

Work can be dropped off in the Ceramics Studio at Berkshire Art Center’s Stockbridge location (Citizens’ Hall) during regular business hours, Monday–Friday, 9am–12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm. The Ceramics Studio is closed everyday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

A measuring station, ticket printer, and payment details are set up in the Ceramics Studio. For after-hours or weekend drop-off, please contact Studio Manager Lorimer Burns.

STEP 5 Pick Up Your Work

Work can be picked up in the Ceramics Studio at Berkshire Art Center’s Stockbridge location (Citizens’ Hall) during regular business hours Monday–Friday, 9am–12:30pm and 1:30pm to 5:00pm. The Ceramics Studio is closed everyday from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. For after-hours or weekend pick-up, please contact Studio Manager Lorimer Burns.

Kiln Firing FAQs

  • Yes. BAC stocks 3 specific clay bodies. You can purchase bags of clay online via Kiln Fire. Find “Supplies” to see our selection and pay. Pick up your clay at the Citizens' Hall location in Stockbridge.

  • The price of a bag of clay purchased through the center does not include firing fees. These are billed separately based on the size of the finished pieces to ensure fair pricing.

  • In an effort to conserve energy, keep operating costs down, and ensure an even firing, Cone 08 Bisque Firing and Cone 6 Electric/Oxidation turnaround time is typically one week. Every effort is made to process all work as quickly as possible.

    With use of the Kiln Fire app, you are now able to track the progress of your pieces through the firing process.

    Kiln firing schedules will be updated on the Ceramics Firing Calendar at the end of each month. Firings may be cancelled due to lack of work or weather.

  • Firing fees at Berkshire Art Center are calculated by volume (cubic inch) . You can pay these fees directly through your Kiln Fire portal (select "Firing Fees").

    You can measure and pay for your work from home or use the measurement box located in the studio.

    Each piece receives a ticket. Print your ticket in the studio and place the ticket in the piece on the appropriate ware cart. (People who pay from home will find their tickets on a clip above the measuring box.)

  • To streamline processing, the Kiln Fire application totals your fees and charges your saved credit card once per week.

    Automatic Payments: You do not need to manually log in to pay for each individual piece; the app will automatically process the balance for all items fired within that two-week window.

    Notifications: You will typically receive an automated receipt via email once the charge has been successfully processed.

  • Greenware or bisque damaged by staff during loading/unloading will be refunded. Please initial the bottom of your piece for easy identification.

    Please pick up finished bisque as soon as possible to avoid damage during storage on the finished bisque shelves.

  • Yes. Please email ceramics@berkshireartcenter.org to schedule a private firing