Raku is a firing process developed in 16th century Japan for the Japanese tea ceremony. Pieces fired in this manner are referred to as Raku or Raku pottery.

The pieces are glazed, dried and put directly into a very hot kiln where they remain about twenty minutes until the glazes have melted at a temperature of 1820F. The piece is then removed from the gas fired kiln with long Raku tongs and put into a nest of hay or news paper and covered with a bucket creating a reduction chamber. They are then quickly quenched with water. The reduction atmosphere produces wonderful lustrous and crackle glazes, making each piece unique.

This is a fascinating firing process to see and be a part of. Raku firing is dramatic and exciting. It is also a wonderful way to actually watch the glazes melt and see what happens inside the kiln in a matter of minutes.

The Raku workshop at Cliff House Studio begins at 2:00 in the afternoon, taking in the beautiful views from the studio and gallery decks. After glazing, painting and initial Raku firings we break for a candle light dinner on the gallery deck. We then resume firing, pulling red hot pots (1,850 degrees) from the Raku kiln into the spring night air. Participates have described this as magical.

Option 1. For those who know their way around a clay studio and have some clay experience.

FEE: $200 (pay to Hart Street or Cliff House)

Fee Includes:

6 hours at Hart Street studio for hand building, throwing and trimming prior to Raku date. Contact Janet at Hart St. (817-429-7222) for pottery making schedule.

12 lb. clay and use of Hart Street Studio kilns for bisque firing.

All materials including several colors of crackle glazes at Cliff House Studio. (additional bisque pots thrown by Janet and Pam are available at $10-$15 each)

Use of all Cliff House studio facilities, (compressor, glaze spray guns, three Raku kilns, electric kilns for drying and preheat, decks with fabulous views for extra work space.

Refreshments (cool things to drink) provided, including dinner and wine on decks overlooking a pastoral scene of horses and the Ft. Worth Nature Center.

10% discount on gallery purchases. Cliff House Gallery features the work of Pam Summers' contemporary ceramics and Raymond Rains' blown and fused glass.

Clay Studio, Glass Studio and gallery tour.

Contact Janet Rodriguez
Hart Street Pottery
6346 Hart Street, Ft. Worth, TX. 76112
817 429-7222 hartst@sbcglobal.net

Option 2. For those with no clay experience as well as experienced potters (at Cliff House Studio).

FEE: $100 (pay to Cliff House)

For those with no clay experience, ready-to-glaze bisque pots thrown by Pam Summers will be available for $10 - $15 each in addition to the $100 workshop fee. Glazing & firing instructions are included.    

For experienced potters, bisque fire your pots to cone 06 and bring them to Cliff House Studio for the event. Pam recommends  "Pam’s Raku" clay, available from Texas Pottery and Clay Company. 

Or you may purchase bisque pots thrown by Janet and Pam are available at $10-$15 each.

Fee includes:

All materials including several colors of crackle glazes at Cliff House Studio.

Use of all Cliff House studio facilities, (compressor, glaze spray guns, three Raku kilns, electric kilns for drying and preheat, decks with fabulous views for extra work space.

Refreshments (cool things to drink) provided, including dinner and wine on decks overlooking a pastoral scene of horses and the Ft. Worth Nature Center.

10% discount on gallery purchases. Cliff House Gallery features the work of Pam Summers' contemporary ceramics and Raymond Rains' blown and fused glass.

Clay Studio, Glass Studio and gallery tour.

First come, first served: Maximum of 10 participants, 4-5 pots each.  A limited number of guests (over 18) are welcome.  The cost is $30 per guest for dinner and beverages. Reservations needed.

Contact:

Pam Summers 817-233-0733

pamelasummers@earthlink.net