Raku Workshop

Learn about raku!

This workshop is a unique opportunity for participants to explore the artistic possibilities of raku pottery.

The workshop typically starts with an introduction to the history and cultural significance of raku pottery, followed by an overview of the different types of clay used in raku and how to shape and form the clay into their desired shapes. Participants will then be taken through the steps of the Western Raku firing process, which differs slightly from the traditional Japanese Raku firing process.

In western raku, pottery is fired in a kiln to a high temperature, and then quickly removed and placed in a container with combustible materials such as sawdust, wood shavings, or newspaper. The flames and smoke from the burning materials create unique and unpredictable patterns on the surface, resulting in the distinctive look of raku pottery.

During the workshop, participants will  explore different glazing techniques to achieve different effects, such as the metallic luster, naked raku, obvara, horsehair raku, and more.

The workshop will be led by experienced raku potters who will provide guidance and feedback as participants work on their pieces. At the end of the workshop, participants will have created unique that they can take home and display. Note: due to the nature of western style raku pieces, it is best used as decorative pieces as they are fired around heavy metals, and can leach into food and drink.

The styles we may do during the session include:

Horse hair/ feather
https://youtu.be/jyEjuyE4utYhttps://www.instagram.com/p/CO1ghcxDHmr/?utm_medium=copy_link

Aluminum Foil Saggar
https://ceramicartsnetwork.org/daily/firing-techniques/gas-kiln-firing/aluminum-foil-saggars-an-easy-alternative-to-traditional-clay-saggars/

https://youtu.be/9z-Uq2ce8xM

Obvara:
https://youtu.be/ZtvYRM6ulUY

https://terencecconnor74.medium.com/what-is-obvara-firing-and-how-to-perform-it-spinning-pots-428428c30a7b

Glaze
We have a few commercial raku glazes. Glazing is mostly done the day of, right before firing. 
https://www.google.com/search?q=raku+glaze&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=isvxn&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjF1_7y0df0AhVbknIEHWHyCLwQ_AUoAXoECAIQAQ&biw=326&bih=552&dpr=3

Naked Raku
https://youtu.be/ybIRh0dggUU

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting messy and smelly. We will start prepping the kiln at 10 am and will run until around 4:30 am to give us time to clean up.