Admissions
Looking for a small, close-knit campus filled with incredible, hands-on learning opportunities? Our Admissions Office can help make Elmira College YOUR place.
Elmira College provides learning opportunities for community members.
In this workshop, participants ages 18 and up will attend three-hour work sessions to create clay objects using the Raku firing technique. Initially, students will create works then are then dried, bisque-fired, and then glazed. The works are then fired using the ancient Japanese ceramics technique to create a unique finish. The Raku technique dates back to the 16th century, and pieces are traditionally crafted by hand and not thrown on a potter's wheel.
With the Raku technique, glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and then placed in a material, such as sawdust or newspaper, that catches fire from the heat of the ceramic item. This starves the piece of oxygen, which creates a myriad of colors within the glaze. Without a glaze, the clay loses oxygen, resulting in some areas having a matte black coloring.
Raku creates a unique design every time, so there is less control over the outcome.
Schedule:
Cost is $200 per participant and includes all materials and firings.
Email Chis Longwell to register.