Raku Firing Workshop
(+10 more dates)(Private Dates Available)
Description
Dates: Saturdays, 2023
18th March
22nd April
3rd June
1st July
5th August
2nd September
14th October
11th November
9th December
Dates: Saturdays, 2024
13th January
10th February
9th March
6th April
Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Raku firing is SO addictive and fun! This 3hour class is about choosing your pot (or you can bring one bisqued piece - details below) and learning the art of Raku Firing!
What is Raku Firing?
Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique that has been used for many centuries to create a very unique finish to wares. The Raku technique dates back to the 16th century, traditionally crafted by hand and not thrown on a potter's wheel.
The Raku technique is essentially when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and are then placed in a material that would be able to catch fire, such as sawdust or newspaper. This technique is used to starve the piece of oxygen, which creates a myriad of colors within the glaze. Raku firing without glaze on them means that the oxygen is taken from the clay itself rather than a glaze, which results in some areas having a matte black colouring.
Raku firing creates completely unique pieces as there is never a certainty as to how the final piece will turn out. Raku essentially creates a unique design every time, so there is less control on the outcome.
Starting at 10am you will be:
* offered 2 bisqued pieces to glaze - or you can bring your own bisqued pieces not taller than 30cm and wider than 15cm.
* offered raku glazes and colourants to decorate or paint your piece in
* put your pot into the kiln
* while waiting for the pieces to fire to temperature, to paint another pot while the first pot you painted/glazed is firing.
* Or go and have a nice lunch/brunch at The Boulevarde cafe while waiting (Thursdays-Sundays)
* smoke reduce your pot in metal bins
* finish up at 1pm
Tracey Hollis, one Clay Talk's most popular and experienced teachers, will be running this workshop and guiding you through the principles of Raku glazing, firing and making. Tracey will be handling the firing of the kiln. Students will not be handling the pots to the post reduction bins.
Our Raku Firing class sizes will be limited to 5 people only.
Clay Talk Ceramic Centre’s spacious and beautifully designed ceramic studio is a great space to tap into your creativity.
Your workshop fee covers:
* Raku glazes
* Use of the Raku kiln and post reduction bins
* Firing 2 pieces
What you must bring:
* fully covered shoes
* Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses & water bottle
* Optional - face mask if allergic to smoke
We will provide:
* Heat gloves
* Bisqued pots for decorating
The workshop will be cancelled if there is any fire weather alerts or less than 4 people attending. Credit notes and transfers will be issued before considering full refunds if the session is cancelled.
What you will learn
- Raku firing
- Glazing your own piece
- making some pots while waiting
What you will get
- free bisqued pot
- Use of wheels, tools, colourants and other equipment such as banding wheels (we also have basic tool kits available if you want to buy your own)
- Choice of Raku glazes for technician to apply to your pieces after bisque firing
What to bring
- Towel
- Apron
- Covered shoes
What to wear
Casual / old clothes - Covered or closed in shoes
Appropriate for
All potters interested in Raku firing!
The Clay Talk Ceramics Centre in Montsalvat is a ceramics facility located in the grounds of Montsalvat – Australia’s oldest continuously active artists’ community. The studio is an addition to Montsalvat’s already rich history as a place where art is made, taught, shown and experienced.
At Clay Talk, we aim to be a creative environment that brings students and practitioners together through education and skills-based programs. Currently we offer classes where you can learn wheel throwing and hand building at all stages of development supplemented by specialist programs and workshops taught by established artists.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a transfer or credit note.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
You may cancel anytime before class starts and claim a full refund or transfer or credit note.
We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.
Terms & Conditions
TERMS & CONDITIONS
To secure your place in a class, course or workshop we require full payment at the time of booking.
Bookings are only accepted through our online portal at www.claytalk.weteachme.com/.
Payment of class, course or workshop fees can only be made through our online portal at www.claytalk.weteachme.com/.
ACCESS
Clay Talk studio is located on the grounds of Montsalvat. For this reason there are security measures in place to prevent trespassing and maintain your safety. Upon booking you should receive an Information Kit which has instructions on how to access Clay Talk studio.
REFUNDS / ABSENCE / TRANSFERS
- We DO NOT offer refunds or transfers if you change your mind. Please be sure you are able to commit to the class, course or workshop dates and times prior to booking.
- We do not offer 'make-up classes'. We might be able to offer alternative arrangements if you cannot attend class by contacting us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au to check if you are eligible within 5 working days of missing your class . Retrospective requests will not be accepted. Studio Access times are NOT make-up classes.
- Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances such as insufficient enrolments. You will be notified prior to the class if cancellation of the class is deemed necessary and a pro-rata refund will be provided.
COVID
In the event of a lockdown or restrictions causing unavoidable or unforeseen interruption to the delivery of classes and workshops Clay Talk will endeavour to provide rescheduled classes and workshops.
In the event that students cannot attend the classes, students must email claytalk@montsalvat.com.au as soon as possible prior to the commencement of the rescheduled class or workshop. If a student is unable to attend the rescheduled classes or workshop Clay Talk may, at its absolute discretion, provide either a credit note or a pro-rata refund (minus an administration fee of 10%).
GIFT VOUCHERS
Gift vouchers are only available through our online portal www.claytalk.weteachme.com/. Gift vouchers can be purchased for a minimum of $20 and are valid for 3 years from purchase. Gift vouchers can be only be used for booking classes, courses and/or workshops at Clay Talk through our online portal. Gift vouchers can be applied at check out when booking a class, course or workshop.
FIRING OF WORK
Most workshops include firing and glazing of a specific number of pieces. Check the workshop listing description on our online platform. Students participating in one-off workshops must label their pieces with the name associated with their booking/ticket.
We take extreme care with your work but accidents do happen and we are unable to guarantee that your work will be successfully fired. Clay Talk takes no responsibility for failure or breakage of work.
Term classes:
- Firing of 2.5kg of finished work per student is included in the term class fee.
- Students can make and fire more work over this limit however additional charges apply.
- Students must label each of their pieces with their Makers Mark (your Makers Mark is made up of the initials of your first, middle & last name and your class code e.g. John Adam Smith = JAS). No Makers Mark will mean your work will not be fired.
If a kiln shelf is badly damaged from your work due to incorrect glaze type or clay body, you will be charged for the cost of replacing that shelf.
- If your work damages the interior of the kiln, you will be required to pay a fine based on the severity of the damage to be determined by the Clay Talk Studio Coordinator.
COLLECTION OF WORK
- Firing, glazing and packaging of your work takes approximately 2-4 weeks after your class/workshop.
- You will be notified by email when your work is ready for collection.
- Student work must be collected within 1 month of being notified. Students will be notified by email to the email address provided upon booking. If fired work, leftover clay and/or tools are not collected within this time it will be disposed of or donated to Clay Talk Fundraising.