Raku Pottery Workshop at The Inventor Center

It’s getting toasty in here! Raku firing is such a cool process, learn more and even have your own work fired!
The Clay Gurus will be offering multiple workshops over the coming weeks, with the first coming up THIS SUNDAY, March 17th. There are two sections for beginners handbuilding on each date, 12-2 pm or 2-4 pm. They are also offering a throwing section for more experienced participants.
Raku is a traditionally Japanese technique which has become westernized by dousing the hot pottery in flammable materials like sawdust and newspaper. Raku is special because it is a much faster firing than any other process; artists remove the ceramic wares as they reach their final temperature, causing the glaze and ceramic to cool at different rates and form cracks. When those wares are then placed in sawdust, it turns the clay black so that the cracks are black rather than the original clay color.
Raku firings use a special clay which is able to bear the rapid change in temperature. Want to learn more? Take one of their workshops to create your piece(s), and join us on April 20th during the Kingsport ARTS Festival to watch the final firing!
To reserve your spot, please call the Clay Gurus at (423)765-0715.
This project is brought to you by Kingsport Cultural Arts & Engage Kingsport, and is funded under a Grant Contract with the State of Tennessee, Tennessee Arts Commission.