What happens at a community Raku Firing Day?
Raku firing days are relaxed affairs interspersed with a flurry of activity and excitement.
They are conducted outdoors and kick off at 9.30 am and finish at around 3.00 pm – at which time the cooling down of the kiln commences, dropping quickly from 1000c to 60c. Importantly, what happens on the day will always be informed by your needs and expected outcomes. This will vary depending on whether you are a group of potters, a school group, a community group new to pottery and firings or an organization wanting to offer a completely different engaging and participatory experience to festival goers.
You will leave at the end of the day having experienced and participated in the full process of raku’s spectacular rapid firing process and post-firing reduction.
Raku firing workshops are led by Vincenza, an experienced artist and teacher. She is assisted by her trained and trusty offsider.
Where are the workshops held?
In situ, and where ever you are in Victoria! The advantage of the mobile kiln is that I bring the workshop to you.
What can we expect to learn and experience?
Through discussion, demonstration and doing participants can expect to: increase their knowledge and understanding of glazes, surface treatments, the role of heat + time on the glazes, kiln design, firing & safety, traditional and contemporary raku practices.
You will have the opportunity to prepare the combustion chambers for post-firing reduction, decide on oxidation or reduction as post firing atmospheres, experiment with different glazes, partake in resource sharing, knowledge exchange and general discussion between participants and facilitator/s about the making of ceramics, glazing, clays, kilns, suppliers and problem solving.
A wonderful time sharing each other’s successes. Taking delight with ‘the accidental’ and ‘unexpected’.
What do you supply?
We come with two trained personnel, An Energy Safe Victoria compliant & certified mobile raku kiln, I x 8.5kg gas bottle (plus 1 spare), Combustion Chambers for post-fire reduction, Glazes and glazing equipment, Protective Safety Equipment.
Do we have to supply you with anything?
Yes. Before the booking can be confirmed you will need to complete a full site audit to ensure the proposed area for positioning the kiln is compliant with Energy Safe Victoria’s regulatory requirements, OHS and operational procedures . This involves inspecting the outdoor site to ensure there is a minimum clearance of at least 3 metres from: any water, sewer pit or drain; grass, trees, awnings or other potentially flammable materials; clearance overhead of at least 5 metres; and unrestricted access for a vehicle and trailer/mobile kiln.
The proposed ‘kiln area’ needs to be level ground – slight gradients cause the trailer and therefore the kiln, and the work within it, to be tilted, and potentially unstable.
The following are also required.
·       Two x 1.8 m trestle tables (glazing zone)
·       One table or bench (keeping pre & post fired work separate from glazing zone)
·       Access to running water – preferably tap with a fitted hose (min. 6 m L)
·       2 x 10 litre buckets
How many firing can you do in a day?
Great question!
On an normal day – 2. On an extraordinarily good day – 4 (this was a once off)
The determining factors have to do with the work and the weather; uniformity in scale (H,W,D) is highly desirable and so is a calm, still day – even a slight breeze can play havoc with the flame and burner. Having to temporarily stop the firing to the remove exploded work/debris caused by work still ‘wet’ from the glaze, is a major disruptor to the schedule.
How many works can you fire in a day?
Another great question! It’s all about how many pieces we can fit in, per load – and that depends on 2 key factors. Again, the size (h,w,d) of the works and following on from that, how evenly and compactly the kiln can be packed.
I use two 30 x 30 cm shelves and can average 10 ‘pots’ per firing providing they are within the specified dimensions of 12 cm(h) x 7 cm(w).
Forms that occupy large areas such as plates and wide rimmed bowls cannot be accommodated.
Our aim is to have everyone going home with two fired works, at minimum.
How many people can you accommodate?
I suggest a maximum of 10 people. This offers the best chance for everyone to have two pieces of work fired. Keeping within the specified dimensions is critical.
Does the work need to be pre-bisqued?
Yes
Does the work need to be pre-glazed?
No. You’ll have the opportunity to glaze work on the day .
If you are experienced and would prefer that your group glazes their work in advance of the firing day, get in touch. In some instances it may be possible to supply you with glazes prior to the booked date.
What happens if extreme weather conditions are forecast?
Firing the kiln on days when extreme heat, fire bans, wind or rain is forecast is not only uncomfortable for everyone, it is unsafe. The raku workshop will be rescheduled by negotiation. Where possible, 48-72 hrs notice will be given.
I’d like to book your services for a school incursion/event/pd/pottery group. What happens next?
The best way forward is to use the contact form. We can follow that up with a phone conversation to find out more about your group: how many people you expect to participate, how many works you expect to have, and what you’re hoping to achieve from the workshop. Once I have confirmed the scope of work I’ll send you the quote. A purchase order (if applicable), a signed agreement and a 50% deposit is required to secure a booking.
I am a potter and would like to use your raku kiln. Can I book a private firing?
Yes. You can hire my services and the Raku kiln to fire your work. I do not hire the kiln out separately. Get in touch for a quote.
How much does a one-day Community/Group Raku Firing Workshop cost?
The base rate for a one day community Raku Firing Workshop in Metro Melbourne (up to 30 km from the CBD) is $1,580