Intermediate Course: Raku Firing

This six-week course in Raku will allow you to explore this Japanese pottery technique and produce your own work. Raku firing is an exciting firing process (expect flames and smoke!) which produces individual and unique results, where no two pieces will come out the same.

In the first five weeks, you will work to handbuild your own pieces for firing. In the final session, your work will be fired in our raku kiln. Work is loaded into the kiln, and then once the piece is red hot, it is carefully taken out and put into a container with combustible materials, which then burst into flames. The flames are extinguished with the lid of the container forcing out the oxygen, and the smoke effects add to the finish. After this, the piece is plunged into water and scrubbed, revealing your one-of-a-kind work!

This course has been designed with social distancing and current government guidance in mind, and so the majority of sessions will be held virtually, see our course outline below for more details. If you have any questions about this course, please get in touch with our head potter Karl at karl@thepoly.org.

Course Details

When: Sessions 1 - 5: Monday evenings from 10 August, 18:30 - 20:30, Session 6: Over the weekend
Duration: 6 weeks
Where: The Poly and virtually (via Zoom)
Tutor: Karl Owen
Places: 18 participants max
Cost: £180 (inc. Poly Fund)
Skill level: Experience with handbuilding beneficial, please contact Karl at karl@thepoly.org if you are unsure
Materials: All materials and equipment provided

Course Outline

Session 1:

This first session will take place in our Main Gallery, which will be accessed via the back entrance to The Poly on New Street. Our head potter Karl will present and demonstrate, and provide you with your own clay and equipment to allow you to work at home.

Session 2 - 5:

These sessions will take place over Zoom. Karl will provide feedback on work, answer any questions and help to troubleshoot issues.

Session 6:

This final session will be on a weekend, and will involve firing your work in our raku kiln. It will take place outside at the back of The Poly. These sessions will be staggered, with a maximum number of three participants at one time.