GYAN DANIEL WALL
SCULPTING THE DRAGON: Building the Gayagama 2.0
May 24 - June 14, 2026
KILN BUILDING: [One Week: May 24 - 30, 2026]
Join master kiln-builder, Gyan Daniel Wall, as he demonstrates his intimate knowledge of and finesse in utilizing the ancient technique of Nubian arch construction to rebuild the Gayagama anew. The design plan may shift slightly, but— true to character—we will plan the build around the usage of handmade raw brick and the self-supporting course-work that exemplifies Gyan’s favored construction method. While the bricks will have been fabricated in advance, the attending group will be expected to actively engage in everything from honing and laying brick to stomping the insulative earth cob mixture. Hands-on, feet-on: this will be a fully immersive dive into all elements of designing and constructing a Japanese-style wood-firing “Anagama”.
MAKING & FIRING: [Two Weeks: May 31 - June 14, 2026]
Delighting in the element of serendipity and spontaneous beauty, this workshop will explore the natural glaze effects of atmospheric wood-firing in Gaya Ceramic Arts Center’s brand-newly constructed anagama : The Gayagama 2.0
Kiln-builder, Gyan Wall, will lead this “Inauguration by Fire”, sharing all his techniques and enormous knowledge of wood-firing. Participants will have an opportunity to experiment with a variety of clay bodies and slips, surface texture, and vessel shape as design factors influencing the subtle and dramatic effects of a natural ash surface. The workshop will immerse immediately in the process of making for 5 days. The kiln will be loaded directly with greenware, and then will be fired for an intense 55+ hours. Participation in every aspect will be a requisite joy. It will truly be not only a ceramics workshop, but an incredible journey through the elements-- from water, to earth, through fire, and into air, ether and beyond— and it will also be the important inauguration of the continued story of Gaya’s wood-firing tradition.
TUITION:
Week 1: Kiln Building – USD $1,500
Weeks 2–3: Making and Firing – USD $2,500
Full Experience (Weeks 1–3: Kiln Building, Making, and Firing) – USD $3,500
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - GYAN WALL
Kiln Building schedule - [may 24-30, 2026]
Monday, May 25 :
Construction of walls and floor
Tuesday, May 26 :
Continue on walls and floor and build rear arch and base of chimney.
Wednesday, May 27:
Start on Nubian vault at the rear of the kiln, lay front arch and continue on the chimney.
Thursday, May 28:
Complete the vaulted ceiling and chimney and work on outer layer of brick on the walls.
Friday, May 29:
Work on stone buttressing and insulation layers.
Saturday, May 30:
Continue with stone buttressing and insulating plaster.
Make & Firing schedule - [may 31-june 14, 2026]
Sunday, May 31: Welcome Dinner MOKSA Restaurant
A relaxed evening introduction: to Balinese cuisine, to one another and to the program ahead. Dessert will be served with a slide talk given by Gyan about his evolution as a wood-firer.
Monday, June 1: Studio, Kiln, Clay GCAC
Clay demos: hand-building demonstration
Lunch-family style in GCAC mezzanine
Individual work time begins!
Tuesday, June 2: Texture for Flame GCAC
Clay demo: Wheel throwing demonstrations of bowls, plates, mugs, and larger pieces.
Lunch-family style in GCAC mezzanine
Individual working time continues.
Wednesday, June 3: GCAC
Clay demos: Wheel demonstrations continued, tea wares and jugs
Lunch-family style in GCAC mezzanine
Individual working time continues.
Thursday, June 4: GCAC
Continue making and finishing works
Lunch-family style in GCAC mezzanine
Friday, June 5: GCAC
Continue making and finishing works
Lunch-family style in GCAC mezzanine
**Setting out the wares for loading: by the day’s end, all wares will be brought kilnside, ready to begin pondering the
loading.
Saturday, June 6: Initiating the Stack GCAC
Morning: Working in shifts, we begin the slow and particular process of loading the Gayagama. Everyone will have an
opportunity to assist in preparing various types of wadding, placing works, judging flame flow, and engaging in kiln yoga!
Afternoon: free time
Saturday evening : FIRE Ceremony and wood-fired pizzas Kasa Kembar
Enjoy a stimulating, cleansing “Puja” (Hindu fire-ceremony) at the home of Hillary Kane. Followed by a fitting evening of
stoking the wood-fired pizza-oven. Pizza-making participation required!
Sunday, June 7: Loading the Dragon GCAC
Full day of measured loading.Participants will be assigned shifts so as to be kept busy. Everyone will have a chance to
place works, make wadding, and engage in specific decisions about the loading of their own wares.
Monday, June 8: Conclude Loading GCAC
Loading continues until mid-afternoon, concluding in the fire box stack. Door bricking, sealing and preparation for the
external candle fire.
Tours of Gaya Ceramic & Design production studio will be scheduled in 2 groups.
Sunday evening (5pm): Lighting Ceremony with blessings by Ibu Puja and Pak Wayan
Candling begins, along with first all-night firing shift.
Tuesday, June 9: FIRING GCAC
Low-mid range temperatures. Participants rotate on 6-hr. shifts through day and night. Transport and meals will be
organized accordingly.
Wednesday, June 10: FIRING GCAC
Sustained high temperatures, working back side stoke ports, final peak temperature, and
dramatic reduction cooling.
Thursday, June 11: R&R DAY - FREE! Anywhere Bali…
Free day!
Friday, June 12: Excursion Day TBD
Excursion day!
Saturday, June 13: Unloading and Post-firing Finish GCAC
A slow and considered unload (this is when we have everything to learn!)
Afternoon spent discussing and implementing a variety of post-firing clean-up and finishing techniques.
Sunday, June 14: Exhibiting Our Treasures GCAC
A concluding discussion of the entire experience. Any last cleaning/polishing. Photographing works.Then packing works
to go (packing materials provided).
Final lunch together before departure.
****Details of schedule may be subject to change, but overall content will remain constant