Course Description
This intermediate course meets four times over five weeks and is designed for students with a foundation in wheel throwing or hand-building who want to expand their firing horizons into raku. Through three 3-hour studio sessions, students will create pieces to be fired using the American raku technique, with hands-on support from their instructor. After a skip week for bisque firing, students will return for a final session to glaze and fire their work.
Students will leave with finished raku pieces and a foundational understanding of the raku process, supported each step of the way by their instructor. The final session will continue until all pieces are fired. (The class has a minimum requirement of 3 students to run. If less than three students sign up, we will reschedule.)
Register Here for the first session running Saturday mornings from November 21st to December 19th
Project/Class Workflow
Each class will involve one on one assistance from the instructor with the creation of each student’s pots. Students are encouraged to ask questions and ask for assistance from the instructor when needed.
Week 1 (11/21/26 9am - 12pm):
A brief history of the origins of both Japanese and American raku will be presented. Each student will then create a hand-built teacup in the style of the original raku pottery from Japan. When their teacup is completed, students will begin working on creating pots of their own design while the instructor circulates and offers assistance and advice when necessary.
Week 2 (11/28/26 9am - 12pm):
Students will begin working on their pots while the instructor circulates and offers assistance and advice when necessary.
Week 3 (12/5/26 9am - 12pm):
Students will continue to work on their pots while the instructor circulates and offers assistance and advice when necessary.
Week 4
Skip week so all pieces created during the class can be bisque fired.
Week 5 (12/19/26 9am - 12pm):
Firing Day! This is when the magic happens. All equipment necessary for safety and completion of the process will be provided. After a brief discussion regarding safety while working with extremely hot pots and the fumes inherent in the raku process, students will then glaze and fire their pots. A variety of glazes will be provided and examples of pieces finished using each of the glazes will be provided by the instructor. A handout will be given to each student giving the formula for each glaze used. If desired, students may purchase and bring their own glazes that are specifically formulated for raku. Glazes that do not conform to this guideline will not be permitted. The instructor will first fire a round of pots he made to demonstrate the firing and post firing techniques that will be employed by each student to ensure they have a complete understanding of the process they are about to employ. Following the instructor’s demonstration each student will fire their pieces made during the class. Students will handle their own pots from start to finish of the firing process. They will load their pots into the hot kiln. They will be responsible for deciding when the pots are ready to be pulled from the kiln. Following removal from the kiln, they will handle the post firing reduction when appropriate. After the firing of their pots, students will be shown how to and will clean any pots requiring cleaning.
At the end of firing, when all pots are done, there will be a class discussion and answer period where successes, problems, and new ideas for the next firing will be discussed. Please note that this class will be held outside in the parking lot and will begin at 9:00 and continue until all pieces are fired. It is anticipated that this will be a 4-6 hour day depending on the number of pots to be fired. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, and a hat or bandana are strongly advised to protect yourself from the high temperatures used during firing. You will also want to bring plenty of fluids to stay hydrated throughout the day.