RAKU POTTERY DECORATING AND FIRING TECHNIQUES
LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO
LEE AKINS
October 17, 2009 2pm-7.00 (Saturday)
Guild member - $65 (plus tax)
non-member - $115 (plus tax)
(This covers glazes and propane for two average size pots and BBQ
Please bring a salad or dessert to share
)
REGISTER: 505-989-7311
WORKSHOP REFUND POLICY
If a student drops a class up to one week before the workshop start date, tuition will be refunded except for a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER THIS DATE. No refunds will be given for missed classes.
Raku is a Japanese technique used to fire clay pieces. A glaze is put on the pot which is then put into a kiln and bought up to temperature fairly quickly. Once the glaze has melted, the red-hot pot is removed from the kiln and either dunked into water, allowed to air cool or is put into a container of combustibles like straw, leaves, sawdust or dry manure, and then covered over with a lid. The smoke and air react with the glaze to form exquisite patterns and colors on the glaze. It is always a wonderful surprise to see what comes out of the container once the pot has cooled down.
During the workshop, Lee Akins, a well-known ceramics artist from Texas and also an instructor at the Santa Fe School of Art in Santa Fe, will demonstrate a variety of different glazes and decorating techniques that can be applied to the raku process. Students will then get the change to decorate their own pieces with the knowledge they’ve learned, and then the exciting part of firing the pieces will begin.
The workshop costs only $65 and includes glazes and propane for two average size pots. Students can bring their own bisque-ware (raku clay only) or they can purchase a cup or pot from us. The workshop will be held in Los Alamos.
Who Should Attend
No experience necessary.
Lee Akins has been teaching pottery at the college level for more than 30 years. He recently moved to Northern New Mexico and is currently building his home and studio. His ceramic work is coil-built terracotta vessels inspired by the figure. He is widely exhibited and his work has been featured in Ceramics Monthly and several books.