CIM~2013 Winner's Workshop (Raku Firing)

The Raku-Winner's Workshop on June 27th (8:30 am - 4pm) is for 1st place winners and their teachers.  

Raku Pottery originated in Japan during the late 16^th century.  While the process has changed slightly as it was brought to the western world, the basic elements remain the same.  Pieces are made with low-fire clay that contains a great deal of grog.  Grog helps the clay body withstand drastic changes in temperature.  Once the piece is bisque fired and glazed, it is glazed fired to maturity.  When the piece is fired to temperature, it is pulled from the hot kiln and placed in a reduction chamber filled with combustible materials.  This process creates brilliant colors and metallic flashing in your glaze.  Your glaze results are always an exciting surprise! 

You will have the opportunity to create 3 pieces.  Due to the small size of the kiln, pieces cannot be larger than 8 inches wide by 14 inches tall.  Please do not make any functional ware, as the Raku process is not food safe.  Also, to make sure everyone’s piece gets fired, we ask that you only make one piece at the maximum size and keep your other two pieces on the smaller side.  Should you want to make more than three pieces, if time allows, we can fire them once everyone has all three pieces fired.  Pieces should be bisque fired to Cone 04 at your school or studio.  If you do not have Raku glazes to glaze your pieces, we have found that Amaco Opalescent glazes work very well.  Also, please stress to the students that they do not need glaze their entire piece, unless this is their preference.  This glazing style lends itself to highlighting the beauty of Raku pottery.  I will try to get some horse hair to experiment.  If anyone has access to horse hair, I would greatly appreciate it if you bring some.      

On the day of the firing, we will meet at the football field at Burlington Township High School.  It is quite a walking distance from the school, so be prepared to be outside for the entire day (sunscreen, sunglasses and lots of water).  There are bathroom facilities outside.  If you choose to pack a lunch, bring it in a cooler because you will not have access to a refrigerator.  If you choose to buy lunch, there are many good options that are less than a mile away.  Please dress for hot weather and wear clothing with all natural fibers.  If you have long hair we advise that you wear a hat or tie it up for your safety.  Also, please wear or bring long pants and long sleeves to protect your legs and arms.  Finally, absolutely no open toes shoes.  We recommend snug fitting leather shoes, boots, or sneakers.  Also please bring leather work gloves if you have them.  We will provide the rest of your safety equipment.   

If you have any questions, please call or email me.  See you on June 27th!