Raku firing creates a metallic look in students' clay artwork
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 The day didn't seem quite so chilly while standing near a burning kiln and flaming trash cans. Ceramics students gathered around the heat not just because it was warm, but also because it was necessary to witness the completion of their clay art projects.
Ceramics teacher Cindy Howell invited Tim Pfiffner of Great Lakes Clay & Supply to demonstrate raku firing on Tuesday, Oct. 5. Students assisted Pfiffner as he placed their clay creations first into the kiln, then into a trash can filled with combustible materials, and finally into a bucket of water. Students then admired their various metallic-looking potteries; raku brings out the silver and copper metals in glazes.
Originating in 16th Century Japan, raku is a quicker, but less gentle firing technique used in pottery. While an electric kiln requires about 24 hours to complete the process—12 hours to reach maximum heat and another 12 hours to cool—raku firing only requires about 20 minutes to heat and cool.
After reaching a temperature of about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit in the kiln, the artwork is placed in a container with a combustible such as straw or sawdust. This phase, called post firing reduction, allows for the creation of unique effects on the wares, depending on the type of combustible and the amount of oxygen present. The cooling process in raku involves placing the heated creation in water. |
