Weekend workshop pitfiring ceramics hosted by Didianne Leusink & Judith Reijnders
Join us in 9 & 10 May 2026
Location : Landgoed ‘t Rozendael, Heino (NL)
CAMP FIRE is returning for its 5th edition!
Join us on 9 & 10 May 2026
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In this workshop, we’ll go through the full cycle of pit firing.
Pit-firing is the oldest known ceramic firing technique, dating back at least 30,000 years. Practiced across many cultures and geographies, it has long been more than just a method for hardening clay: it is a communal, ritualistic act, tied to land, tradition, and storytelling.
In this hands-on workshop, pit firing becomes a space to explore clay as a medium for thinking through making. Each vessel reflects the interaction of earth, fire, time, and placement in the pit, shaped by both individual and collective choices.
Using organic materials, we experiment with this tradition as a way to understand transformation, material behaviour, and environmental context.
Included:
• Fuel, wood and other combustibles
• Camping spot in the idylllic ochard on Landgoed ‘t Rozendael
• Nourishing meals throughout the entire workshop
Not included:
• Clay pieces (can be prepared prior to the workshop, instructions will be provided after registration)
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• Building and managing a pit fire using sustainable, locally sourced materials
• Understanding the chemical and atmospheric interactions that transform clay
• Reflecting on the philosophy of firing as a ritual, ecological, and artistic practice
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On Saturday May 9th
Start at 10:00 (full day)
After a short introduction, we will prepare the ceramics and build up the fire. You will learn about the chemistry of the process and how to ‘read’ and maintain the fire. Collectively we decide what will be added to the fire, and explore with the possibilities of the technique.
On Sunday May 10th
9:00 - 13:00
After a night of rest, the fire has burned for several hours. We will slowly uncover the pit and let the remains cool down. Once unearthed, the pieces can be dug up from under the ashes. We will wash them and analyze what happened during the fire. From the results on the surfaces, we will be able to trace back some of the components burned along with the ceramics. Finally, we will cover up the pit, making sure the land can recover.
Who We Are:
Didianne Leusink is a transdisciplinary artist and performer working with tactility as a gateway to connect with the environment and the organic and inorganic matter we are entangled with.
Through clay and the practice of pit firing, she explores forms of listening that extend beyond the sense of hearing. By sharing this technique and experimenting collectively with its possibilities, she invites listening as a shared, sensory practice.
Judith Reijnders explores how attention, play, and wonder can expand the relationship between the human and more-than-human.
Through works such as a ceramic slide or an interactive performance, she invites audiences to re-think their connections with their surroundings beyond learned and imposed structures.
At the core of her practice is a deep social drive—to support others by dedicating her time, resources, and energy.
2023
Our introduction to pit-firing came through Judith’s grandfather, a practitioner who transmitted his knowledge across generations. This initial encounter formed the basis for an ongoing inquiry into pit-firing’s contemporary potential; as a relational practice that foregrounds exchange, interdependence, and situated knowledge-making.
We welcome everyone interested in this practice, and every skill level in working with clay. Learn what this technique can teach us 30000 years after it has been discovered.
Send us a message
If you have any questions or want more info, don’t hesitate to send us a message!