Welcome to Cafe Monet’s Raku Firing Workshop! We’re thrilled to have you here for an exciting day of creativity, fire, and transformation. Raku is a unique and ancient Japanese pottery technique that combines artistry, spontaneity, and the unpredictable beauty of flame. It’s a process that celebrates the unexpected, where each piece emerges from the kiln with its own one-of-a-kind character, marked by crackled glazes, metallic lusters, and smoky patterns.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll not only learn the history and philosophy behind Raku but also get the chance to fire your own pieces and witness the magic of the firing process firsthand. Whether you’re a seasoned potter or new to ceramics, this workshop is designed to inspire and ignite your creativity.

Throughout the day, you’ll experience the thrill of pulling glowing pottery from the kiln, the drama of reduction in combustible materials, and the joy of unveiling your finished work. By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for this dynamic art form and your very own Raku-fired treasures.

So, let’s embrace the fire, the smoke, and the surprises that Raku has to offer. Get ready to create, experiment, and be amazed! Let’s begin this journey together. Welcome to the Raku Firing Workshop!

GENERAL PUBLIC EVENT INFORMATION

General Public Event begins at 12:00pm.

The general public are welcome to come watch our skilled team of potters conduct the firings and learn about all about the raku process. Premade pottery items of all kinds will be available for purchase so you can have your very own raku pottery! Items will be in priced categories and you will be able to choose the glaze that goes on the item! Items paid and selected earlier in the event will be ready to take home the same day!

Music, food and games adorn the Hyperloop Plaza lawn so there is plenty to do while you wait for your pottery to be loaded in the kiln- but don’t blink! – once the pottery is in the kiln its not long before it will be red hot and moved into a combustion chamber where the real magic happens!

Workshop Information

The workshop will run from 9am-12pm (3 hours)

Included Workshop Materials:

• 2 bisque fired pottery pieces (1 will be glaze fired and the other will be used for the Naked Raku horsehair technique)
• Commercial Raku Glazes
• Safety Equipment
• Breakfast Items (Donuts/ Coffee)

Suggested Materials To Bring:

• Notebook
• Folding Chair
• Water Bottle

CLOTHING TO WEAR

• Long Sleeves
• Pants (not shorts)
• Closed – Toed Shoes

At the conclusion of the workshop participants will have utilized 2 main raku firing techniques. This firing is highly volatile and so we can not guarantee the fired items will completely survive the process. Any items that do survive will NOT BE FOOD SAFE and will not be water tight as the clay will not have undergone the vitrification process we see in mid to high fire pottery.

Cancellation Policy: Please note that registration is a firm commitment to attend and there are no refunds.  If you cannot make it due to a health or family emergency we will offer up a studio voucher so you can reschedule to a future class up to 24 hours prior to the class for full amount paid, but you can also have someone else you choose take your place. Amount paid may or may not be directly comparable to other events or classes.

No Show / Missed Class Policy:  If participants do not come to one or more of their scheduled class(es) they will forfeit the lost class(es) and will not be given store credit, refunds, or vouchers to use for any future classes.

Each workshop is unique and requires different supplies to be prepared and will be provided by Cafe Monet. Our studio is BYOB so feel free to bring your favorite drinks to enjoy with your project.