Class Length: One day, 10am – 2pm on Saturday, October 25th
Tuition: $100 (+ $25 materials fee)
Class Description: The raku technique involves taking glazed ceramics out of a red hot kiln and placing them in metal containers with combustible materials such as sawdust or newspaper. A tight lid is placed on the hot pot inside the container. This reduction technique develops a myriad of colors within the glaze, crackle patterns, metallic surfaces, and unpredictable pots! Raku glazes are never food safe because they are not durable glass and often have high metal content. Raku glazes are also rarely watertight. Raku pots are for enjoying the process as well as the artwork on a fireplace mantel or as a showpiece.
We will fire the kiln at least two times during our workshop. This will take time. Be prepared to help in all facets of this process, but there will be time to relax while the firing occurs. You are welcome to use the studio to make some work while you are waiting for the pots to fire but as soon as the firing is complete- it’s all hands on deck to unload quickly! When you help pull red hot pots from a kiln, we suggest you wear cotton clothing and tie long hair back. The area will be smokey as we put pots in metal cans and reduce them with burning combustibles so you need to be ok with high-heat. This is an active environment where attention to heat, people, and processes is needed. It’s a blast!
Raku Workshop Participation:
We start glazing at 10:00am. The cut-off time to glaze is at 11am or 11:30am at the latest in order to get two firings in. Be sure to get here on time! After glazing, we will fire the kiln until all the work is done – usually around 2-3 hours after the start time! Glazes are provided but if you have a commercial raku glaze you would like to try, you can bring that as well. Our staff will be facilitating and present to fire the kilns and answer questions. Come explore this unpredictable, smokey, exhilarating art form.
NOT a rain or shine event- if the weather does not cooperate (rain or lightning) we will have to cancel and reschedule.
Age Limitations: Ages 16 through adult
Supplies: BYOB – Bring your own BISQUEWARE! Bring your pots that have already gone through the bisque kiln. There is no limit to how many you would like to bring but we will not guarantee all your pots are fired. We make every effort to get as many pots from all students into the firings. We suggest 6-8 small to medium-sized bisque vessels per person. (Small equals 5” or smaller/ Medium equals up to 8”/ larger than this counts for two pieces. NO FLAT WORK.) Early arrival is encouraged to ensure your pieces have the best chance to get fired!
Teacher: Deb Balestreri
Seating Limit: 8
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