Come and enjoy an exciting workshop experimenting in this ancient Japanese RAKU technique of glazing and firing pottery.

Exciting and fast moving, using heat, sawdust, fire and smoky bins, this stunning firing technique is irresistible and very much in vogue.

Raku firing is unique and one of the most dramatic and exciting ways to fire pottery. It was developed in Japan in the 16th century for the Japanese tea ceremony. The pieces are glazed with copper based glazes, dried and put directly into a hot kiln outside for half an hour at a temperature of approximately 1000°c. They are then put into a reduction chamber – a nest of sawdust covered with a metal cover -  and this atmosphere and temperature changes ‘reduce the oxygen content in the glazes and clay’ producing the wonderfully colourful, lustrous copper, blue and green finishes associated with Raku Pottery.

Every result is different, nothing is predictable and happy accidents are frequent. In fact, Raku literally translates into 'Happiness in the accident!' You will be using raku glazes combined with colouring oxides.

Bob and Denise will arrive with a selection of bisque fired pots in varying styles, that he has made and fired in the weeks prior to the course -  providing 3 pots for each student.  It is this preparedness that enables such a course to be run in a morning or afternoon. The materials charge of £25 (payable directly to the tutor) covers the cost of making these pots, as well as the glazing and firing costs during your session. Bob and Denise will distribute pots so each student has a similar selection of shapes at the start of each class. This is a collaborative class so your payment details may include direct payment to Bob.

Video of the latest course results in October 2023  HERE

 Morning session    9.45am to 12.30pm     arrive 9.40am please 

Afternoon session    1.45pm to 4.30pm      arrive 1.40pm please

£45 inc fresh coffee/home made biscuits
Material Charges : £25 on the day

 Dates for this course - see the table below to book:

  Sunday 21st April 2024           AM or PM  full       Wed 24th April 2024       AM or PM   full

  Sunday 1st Sept 2024             AM or PM             Wed  4th Sept  Am or PM     nearly full

***      SATURDAY 31ST AUGUST        AM OR PM             NEW EXTRA DATE ***

Typically this course runs with around 8 students. Suitable for Beginners

Please bring:  Your £25 materials money as detailed above. The tutor will provide a number of biscuit fired pieces ready to be decorated in the Raku style. Please bring some bubble wrap & bag to take home your pots home and wear old clothes that do not contain nylon.  A cotton apron will be useful. Please tie any long hair back. Wear layers if cold weather as we will be working outside (under cover as necessary) to clean off pots after firing. You may become hot if you spend time near the kiln. About the tutor: Bob Park studied ceramics at Harrogate and Bath Colleges of Art and has since made his living as a potter, producing a wide range of individual stoneware. He now owns and works from Greystoke Gill Pottery.