Raku Workshop 3 Nights Spring 2021

Raku Workshop

Bring your ideas and creativity! Make wall art, tiles, animal sculpture, figures, planters, decorative vases, bottles, boxes, dishes, or candle holders. Those with experience may work independently and those that are new to clay will be taught soft slab construction and the pinch method to create their pieces. Raku pottery is for decorative purposes only. It will not hold water and is not food safe.

What is Raku? Raku is an ancient Japanese method of firing simple pottery. Metallic or white crackle glazes are applied to bisque ware and then fired quickly to 1700 degrees F in an outdoor kiln. Participants wearing protective gear, open the red hot kiln and remove the glowing orange pottery with tongs and place it into shredded paper. After the paper ignites, the pottery is covered with a metal can to create a reduction atmosphere. This turns the metallic glazes amazing unpredictable colors, while turning the unglazed clay body a smoky black. Raku pottery is highly variable making it always unpredictable, surprising and one of a kind!

In this three day workshop you will:

1. First class you will receive 12 lbs of clay: We will instruct you how to use the soft slab technique, and pinch method to create your pieces. You will also have the following week to work independently to finish your pieces if needed. It will give you time to dry your work and have it bisque fired before the second class, or simply dried if using terra sigillata / burnishing.
2. Second class. Learn about the various types of surface design possible with Raku firing. Types discussed will include various glazes, tape resist, wax resist, terra sigillata & burnshing, horsehair technique, and naked slip. We will cover a discussion of the history of raku.
3. Third class. Fire pottery. Sign up for a day and shift. Come prepared * and plan to participate in set up or take down. Plan to spend more time than expected.

Ticket price is $129 and includes clay glazes and firing.

Class fee in non-refundable 13 days or less before class begins.

Special Notes:

• All participants must wear a mask and keep 6′ between one another
• *On the day of firing you must wear closed toed shoes, long cotton pants and sleeves, have hair tied back or covered in order to participate.
• You will be asked to sign up for a day and a shift to fire and should plan to help set up or take down. Raku takes time, plan for it.
• We will use Sunday May 23rd 9am-5pm as our alternative firing date if it is rainy or too windy Friday or Saturday.
• We will send you a participant waiver detailing the rules and agreement. To participate this must be signed and returned as soon as possible.