Raku Workshop
With Alexis Dillon ANd Paul Sirofchuck
Friday, October 18 & 25, 5:30-8:30 PM | Saturday, November 2, 10 AM - 2 PM (Firing)
In this 3-week intermediate ceramics course for students 18 years and older, pottery instructors Alexis Dillon & Paul Sirofchuck will introduce you to the basics of Raku firing! You'll dive right in on October 18 learning about the medium and creating your pieces, then finish them (trimming bases, signing, etc.) on October 25. October 18 and November 2 are essential to the class, so if one of those days doesn't work for you, we suggest waiting to register for one of our future raku sessions. On November 2, you'll glaze and fire your pieces in the quick, exciting, fiery Raku process! They'll be ready to go home with you the same day. Please dress for heat/sun/weather on the day of the (outdoor) firing--We do our best to mitigate the sun and heat from the kilns, but it is a hot, intense day, crazy fun day! If you're new to pottery, please register for one of our beginner wheel classes before trying raku, since this workshop will not cover any basics.
What is Raku Firing?
Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique dating back to the 1500s. It's been used for centuries to create a unique, natural finish to works in clay. In this process, when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln with tongs (while still glowing hot!) and placed in a flammable material, such as sawdust or newspaper, the clay body (when unglazed) or the glaze itself is starved of oxygen, creating a myriad of beautiful colors within the glaze or an elegant matte black on the clay itself. Adding horse hair or feathers can also generate interesting surface patterns. Every piece will turn out differently with a unique design and coloring, which is part of the fun! Please note that Raku fired work is NOT FOOD SAFE, but certainly makes a beautiful decoration.
Each registration per person includes:
All pieces MUST be bisque-fired before the Glazing/Firing workshop. If finishing at home, drop off your greenware no later than Sunday, September 1st. Your pieces must be completely dry to be bisque-fired in time for the Glazing/Firing workshop. Wet pieces will NOT be accepted. During this final session, we’ll glaze the bisque pots and fire on-site at Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center. This workshop will take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly.
- October 18: Introduction to raku firing and wheel time to create pieces
- October 25: A trimming class to help you finish up any pieces
- November 2: A glazing and Raku firing workshop
In this 3-week intermediate ceramics course for students 18 years and older, pottery instructors Alexis Dillon & Paul Sirofchuck will introduce you to the basics of Raku firing! You'll dive right in on October 18 learning about the medium and creating your pieces, then finish them (trimming bases, signing, etc.) on October 25. October 18 and November 2 are essential to the class, so if one of those days doesn't work for you, we suggest waiting to register for one of our future raku sessions. On November 2, you'll glaze and fire your pieces in the quick, exciting, fiery Raku process! They'll be ready to go home with you the same day. Please dress for heat/sun/weather on the day of the (outdoor) firing--We do our best to mitigate the sun and heat from the kilns, but it is a hot, intense day, crazy fun day! If you're new to pottery, please register for one of our beginner wheel classes before trying raku, since this workshop will not cover any basics.
What is Raku Firing?
Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique dating back to the 1500s. It's been used for centuries to create a unique, natural finish to works in clay. In this process, when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln with tongs (while still glowing hot!) and placed in a flammable material, such as sawdust or newspaper, the clay body (when unglazed) or the glaze itself is starved of oxygen, creating a myriad of beautiful colors within the glaze or an elegant matte black on the clay itself. Adding horse hair or feathers can also generate interesting surface patterns. Every piece will turn out differently with a unique design and coloring, which is part of the fun! Please note that Raku fired work is NOT FOOD SAFE, but certainly makes a beautiful decoration.
Each registration per person includes:
- One 3hr session on the wheel
- One 3hr trimming session
- 12 lbs of Raku clay (No outside clay permitted due to kiln risks)
- Tools to borrow for the class
- Glaze (No outside glaze permitted due to kiln risks)
- Bisque firing of your greenware
- RAKU firing of your glazed pieces
All pieces MUST be bisque-fired before the Glazing/Firing workshop. If finishing at home, drop off your greenware no later than Sunday, September 1st. Your pieces must be completely dry to be bisque-fired in time for the Glazing/Firing workshop. Wet pieces will NOT be accepted. During this final session, we’ll glaze the bisque pots and fire on-site at Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center. This workshop will take place outdoors, so please dress accordingly.
