Raku Clay Firing

Event Details

Saturday 21 June 
Saturday 16 August

10am to 4pm | £125 per person
Including lunch and refreshments

Learn all about the Raku firing process, from its origin in 16th Century Japan through to its fiery transformation in mid-20th Century North America into what is most widely recognised as Raku firing today. 

About the workshop:

See how a Raku kiln capable of reaching temperatures of over 1200C can be built from scratch in under twenty minutes, and take part in a variety of Raku techniques under the guidance of a practitioner with over ten years of experience.

The morning will focus on traditional, Japanese-style techniques and materials, with participants using slips and glazes to decorate tea-bowls in either the Aka (red) or Kuro (black) Raku styles. These tea-bowls will be fired to temperatures much hotter than Western-style Raku and, after being drawn glowing red-hot from the kiln, are left to cool in the open air.

In the afternoon we will move to the more dramatic Western-style of Raku firing. This will involve the decoration of pots using copper-bearing glazes which, after firing, will be plunged into buckets of sawdust, bursting into flames and producing an intense smoky atmosphere to produce deep blacks and dramatic flashes of colour.

Important information:

Due to the rapid nature of Raku firing, pots are available to take home on the day of the workshop. All pots and materials are included and no previous experience is required. 

This event takes place at the Chatsworth Stickyard, an outdoor, covered venue near the Chatsworth Farmyard. The venue is a short walk from the car park with an incline.

We will be outside whatever the weather so please wear appropriate clothing and sensible shoes. 

Raku involves use of heat and fire, so please don't wear any loose clothing, scarves or open toe shoes. 

Refreshments:

The workshop includes tea, coffee and a delicious lunch prepared by the team at Chatsworth Farm Shop. This consists of a freshly made sandwich, a traybake, a piece of fruit, crisps and a drink. Please be aware our produce is made in an environment where all allergens are present. Please note any dietary requirements during checkout.

Accessibility:

Please email [email protected] if you have any specific access requirements.

Meeting point:

Please meet at the Stickyard (near the farmyard, in Stand Wood) at 9.50am.

About the artist:

Mike Scown started working with clay in 2012, shortly after graduating with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art from Newcastle University. His primary interest in ceramics has always been in the chemistry of the glazes and the transformative power of the firing process to turn raw materials dug from the ground into objects of function and beauty. Mike has experience firing with charcoal, sawdust, wood, propane gas and electricity.

Most recently Mike was a project manager on Yinka Shonibare CBE's entry for the Nigerian Pavilion of the 2024 Venice Biennale, which involved sculpting and firing around 150 terracotta replicas of the Benin Bronzes.

He now works from Persistence Works in Sheffield, continuing to produce tableware, exploring slip casting and sculptural techniques, and offering individual and group tuition in Raku firing, throwing, and ceramic materials.

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