Raku Workshop

With Alexis Dillon

Friday May 17, 5:30 - 8:30 PM: Required introduction to the raku process
Friday May 24, 5:30 - 8:30 PM: Optional trimming/wheel class to finish pieces for bisque firing
Saturday May 25, 11 - 5 PM: Pieces are due in the studio for bisque firing
Saturday June 1, 11 - 2 PM: Glazing and Raku Firing workshop

We're adding exciting new workshops this year to celebrate 10 YEARS as an Art Center (and 30 as a Gallery!). Woohoo!! This is our second Raku Workshop of the year. Keep an eye out for future dates!

In this 3 week intermediate course for students 18 years and older, pottery instructor Alexis Dillon will introduce you to the basics of Raku firing! You'll dive right in on May 17 learning about the medium and creating your pieces, then finish them (trimming bases, signing, etc.) on May 24 during our trimming workshop, or at your home studio. May 17 and June 1 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 June 1, 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.

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 Saturday, May 25, 11-5 PM. 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.

Please Note:

Tuition is due with registration unless other arrangements are made. If you cancel 0-7 days before the class start date, we are able to refund your tuition ONLY if we can fill your space from our waitlist. We are not able to issue partial refunds or transfer your registration to another class. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we cannot under ANY circumstances refund your tuition once you have started the classes.
Art is a messy business! Please bring an apron or wear work clothes and shoes that can get dirty with clay/paint/etc.
Bring a hair tie if you have long hair.
Leave your rings, smartwatches, and jewelry at home. Main Exhibit Gallery & Art Center is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items.
This is a wheel-only course for intermediate potters. If you're new to pottery, or interested in working with clay slabs or hand-building, check our our other options in ceramics!

Thank you for registering!

All workshops are held at Main Exhibit Gallery’s fully-accessible Art Center.

Entrance located at the lower level rear of the building at 301 West Main Street, Ligonier, PA.

Any Questions: 724-238-2310 | mandy@mainexhibitgallery.com