Raku Workshops
The studio holds monthly studio member only Raku firings throughout the year. Raku workshops can also be scheduled for your group, studio, guild, school, co-op, etc. See the description below. Our Raku facilities include 6 propane fired kilns of various sizes in a spacious firing area complete with all equipment, materials, and supplies. We can host up to 12 participants.
Raku Workshops are led by our experienced staff and consist of a supervised glazing and firing session. Glazing instruction includes an explanation and description of the available glazes, application, and various expected results. Firing instruction includes information on basic kiln theory, loading, firing in oxidation versus reduction atmospheres, and basic post-firing techniques. Due to the limited amount of time available and the often wide-ranging experience of participants, we will not cover advanced techniques or complicated individual approaches.
Workshops are limited to 12 participants. Each workshop consists of 1 hour of glazing and approximately 5 hours of firing. Two kilns, each with approx 18"Hx 23"W stacking dimensions, will be fired simultaneously for approximately 6 total kiln loads. To maximize the number of pieces fired, we encourage cylindrical shapes and discourage plates and wide bowls, Plates can be fired but they will be fired set on their edge which can cause warping. We will fire as many pots as possible, but there is no guarantee that everything will be fired. It's better to bring more work than less.
All participants must come prepared for a safe experience: No sandals, no shorts, no polyester clothing, long hair must be tied back. We provide all glazing and firing materials and supplies, gloves, tongs, and all safety gear.
Fees: $800 minimum covers all of the above. Firing session can be extended beyond the 5 hours. Each additional hour of firing time beyond 5 hours is $75. Scheduling: Weekdays only and workshops must be completed by 5 PM. Call for availability and scheduling.
Advanced and more comprehensive and extensive Raku workshops can be scheduled with our founder and Raku Master Steven Branfman. Please inquire.
Kids/Adult Workshops - Pottery Parties
Kids Parties:If you live in the Needham, MA area, we can come to you for a fun pottery birthday party! Parties can be arranged for all ages, including mixed ages. We will provide a teacher, tools, and materials for an hour of handbuilding. The project will be based on the ages of the participants. After the party, we will carefully dry, bisque, glaze, and glaze fire your work. Pieces are generally available for pick-up about a month after the party.
To host a kids party, you need an appropriate workspace where we can get a little messy. We will need a sturdy washable table and seating and water nearby for handwashing and cleanup. The floor should be washable as well (no carpets, please). Some spaces that work well are kitchens, porches, decks, garages, or outside at a picnic table in nice weather.
Adults: We can schedule a one hour, one-time pottery making experience for your group in our professionally equipped studio. If your goal is to make objects to completion, the participants will be working off the potters wheel with hands on instruction. If there are members of your group with adequate wheel throwing experience, they may work on the wheel with limited instruction.
Our fees are $250 for up to 10 participants. Additional participants are $15 each. If you would like a longer experience, the fee is $75 for each additional hour or portion of an hour.
