NDSU School of Design kiln enhancing creativity

The NDSU School of Design, thanks to funding from an NDSU Impact Fund Grant from the NDSU Foundation and a trustee, will have a new, state-of-the-art soda kiln to bolster its ceramics program and its growing student population.

A soda kiln operates through atmospheric firing, which means firing ceramics, glass or metals in an environment where the atmosphere (oxidation, reduction or neutral) is determined by the combustion process and ventilation rather than by external control systems. In this process, soda ash or baking soda is introduced into the heated kiln environment, resulting in a distinctive, glossy surface on the ceramic pieces. Due to the highly corrosive properties of soda, this technique requires a kiln specifically engineered to withstand such conditions.

The current soda kiln was 15 years old, and according to David Swenson, NDSU associate professor of ceramics and sculpture, had sustained permanent damage resulting from corrosion. Swenson noted that the ceiling had collapsed, which made it unsafe and unusable.

“The existing kiln had reached the end of its functional life,” he said. “The failing brickwork and arch structure were no longer reliable or cost-effective to maintain.”

“Each time we fired it, we wondered if it would be the last one,” said NDSU ceramics student Dionna Martel, who has used the kiln throughout her time in the program. “And this spring, it was. We were all heartbroken, because we had just spent the year dialing in our firing schedule and experimenting with new ways to introduce soda for the best surfaces and colors.”

Swenson applied for an NDSU Impact Fund Grant through the NDSU Foundation. The NDSU Impact Fund Grant Program supports projects, technologies and initiatives that address the university’s evolving needs and create a meaningful, positive impact across the entire NDSU community.

After the Foundation Board of Trustees selected the proposal to move forward, Swenson and two students met with the board to discuss the need for a new kiln. In the proposal, Swenson said the new kiln would provide the necessary equipment to support research and experimental projects. The proposed equipment, a Bailey Model C20 front-loading kiln, will serve as a modern, energy-efficient replacement with improved technological capabilities and universal accessibility for students, Swenson said.

The NDSU Foundation awarded $30,000 toward the overall cost of $55,600. An anonymous donor came forward to Justin Swanson, vice president for development at the NDSU Foundation, to cover the remaining cost.

“Without that support, the ceramics program wouldn’t have access to a working soda kiln for years,” Martel said. “That would mean missing out on one of the most valuable parts of our education — learning and researching atmospheric firing. It’s a crucial process for developing our technical skills and fostering creative growth. The new Bailey soda kiln gives us that opportunity again. Building a kiln from scratch takes a lot of time, materials and labor, but purchasing a pre-made one means we can get back to learning and creating much sooner. It’s exciting — this grant really keeps the quality of NDSU’s ceramics program strong and helps attract new students who want to explore atmospheric firing.”

This new kiln will serve as a replacement and introduce a range of upgrades. It features a contemporary design, improved energy efficiency and state-of-the-art controls that will optimize both the firing process and related research. Additionally, its front-loading configuration and ergonomic height make it more accessible for students and faculty members with physical challenges.

“This is such a wonderful example of how our faculty's commitment to students, the NDSU Foundation and our NDSU donors come together to provide next-generation opportunities for our students,” said NDSU interim vice president for research and creative activity Heidi Grunwald. “The creative arts bring communities together, inspire us and give us hope. This collective generosity will help attract, retain and forge new passion in our current and aspiring artists.

The previous kiln had a 40-inch loading height, making it inaccessible for students who are shorter than average; however, the new kiln features a front-loading design to eliminate this issue. The new kiln is also expected to be approximately 30% more energy-efficient and will feature digital controls, providing user-friendly operations and increased firing accuracy.

“Newer kilns are better at regulating temperature, and students are far more adept at glaze technology and require better firing control – this replacement for aging equipment would accomplish this,” Swenson said.

The new kiln comes at a time when student demand is growing. According to Swenson, 75 undergraduate and 20 graduate students utilize the equipment per semester. The kiln gets fired at least 10-15 times per semester, Swenson said.

“The Department of Art and Design has doubled enrollment in the past six years,” Swenson said.

NDSU faculty members will also benefit from the new kiln.

“Both students and faculty are very excited by the opportunity that will be afforded them through the acquisition of this new soda kiln,” Swenson said. “It will allow all of us to continue research and creative development in our ceramic art.”