Thursday, June 21, 2012

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Riverview art class experiences ancient Japanese raku firing

By Lisa Goudy
Riverview Collegiate teacher Kelly Grass prepares to take a piece of pottery out of a tin garbage can after it has gone through the raku firing process. Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

In the 16th century, raku ware was traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony.

More than 500 years later, the pottery technique is still used for its unique textures. Grade 10, 11 and 12 students in the senior art class at Riverview Collegiate Institute had the chance to experience raku firing on Tuesday.

Riverview Collegiate teacher Kelly Grass takes out a piece of pottery from the kiln to place it in a tin garbage can to complete the raku firing process. Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy

Teacher Kelly Grass said it was the first time he had done raku firing with a class, but he said it gives the pieces a lot of “neat surprises.”

“Once you do it, you become hooked on it,” said Grass. “It’s neat because there’s a lot of fire and smoke and it’s got that 'wow' element.”

For more information, see an upcoming edition of the Times-Herald.

Raku fired pieces from the Riverview Collegiate senior art class sit outside the school on a tray to cool. Times-Herald photo by Lisa Goudy
Learn more about raku firing here

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