Raku Firing Pottery Workshop

Join this raku pottery firing process in Melbourne with Jack Latti!

Upon arrival, you will be wowed by a beautifully landscaped property situated up high with vistas over the paddocks beyond. Enjoy the vast space and the smell of the lemon-scented gums, take in the surroundings which include a large Anagama Woodfire Kiln and a carefully curated selection of garden sculptures made by Jack.

You will then arrive at Studio Nioka and after a quick meet and greet, it will be time for action. A variety of glazing techniques will be shown and a generous selection of over eight glazes will be available for decorating your pot. You will then dive into glazing the pots that you have brought with you or ones purchased as an add-on to the workshop with the guidance of Tania and Jack.

Next, the group will help carry the pots to the kiln and watch Jack expertly load the first pots into the Raku kiln. As the kiln climbs in temperature until it reaches over 800 degrees, we will wait and enjoy some morning tea. Once the kiln has reached temperature, everyone will gather around and watch the red-hot pots get removed from the kiln and plunged into coffee grounds in reduction bins.

After about an hour, the pots will cool and it will be time to scratch around in the coffee grinds searching for treasures. The pots will be covered in carbon which adds a lovely layer of drama as they will require a gentle scrub to reveal the jewel-like glazes beneath.

There will be multiple firings throughout the day and the pace will fluctuate from intense high-pressure moments of excitement to a slower-paced waiting game. This will leave opportunities for both a group lunch and conversations about the firing technique and glaze chemistry.

By the end, you will leave this workshop re-energised by the beautiful landscape, inspired by the sculptures and raku firing process as well as taking with you some glistening handmade ceramic pieces fresh from the kiln. And of course, creating connections amongst like-minded people.

Most importantly, those who are looking to further their pottery/ceramic practice will leave armed with more knowledge for their pottery toolkit.

Please note: Public dates for this class require at least 4 guests to run. In the unlikely event that we don't reach this number, we'll cancel the class; in this case we'll inform you and allow you to get a refund or reschedule, so please watch your email/SMS one day prior to the class.

• Clay and Firing Kit ($50)
• Pre made Ceramic Bottle Forms x 3 ($50)

You can add these when you book (optional).
 
This workshop is beginner-friendly but also caters to the potter who has been around the block.
 

• A wide variety of Raku glazes
• Learn glazing and firing techniques
• Firing of between three and six small to medium pots (the making of the pots is not part of the workshop they must be pre-made ahead of the workshop and brought along in a bisque fired state)
• Tea and coffee
• Firing safety equipment

• A plate of food for a picnic-style share lunch
• Non-flammable clothing
• No loose or dangling clothing
• Closed-toe shoes
• Bisque-fired pots

Beginners - you will need to purchase the add-on of pre-made pots as this is solely a glazing and firing day, NOT a clay-making day.

Intermediate and expert potters - bring your own bisque-fired forms. You will be allocated a combined maximum space in the kiln of 2500mm x 2500mm. Make enough pots to fill this space. (If you have extra pots, bring them along and you may get lucky with a little extra room).

Pots will need to fit the following requirements:

• Decorative and sculptural forms only - no bowls or plates.
• Closed forms with thick, robust rims are best (bottles, eggs, animals, ovoids, vases, cylinders, etc.).
• Made with a highly grogged clay - White Raku is best.

This would also be a unique gift for her, gift for mum, anniversary gift or birthday gift.