Ceramics students ‘raku fire’ clay pottery
Raku fired pottery. Photo by Rachel Marquardt
In Ms. Lindsay Atlas’s Ceramics I-IV classes, students have the option to raku fire their pottery. In the process of raku firing, the clay is glazed over and is placed into a special kiln where it is heated to 1,900 degrees Fahrenheit. After removal, the clay is quickly placed into an oxidation chamber, reacting with the elements to create a glossy design. Raku firing is a Japanese tradition, embodying the ideals of wabi-sabi, which accepts nature’s imperfections and not being able to control what the future holds.
by RACHEL MARQUARDT
