RAKUMANIA! Raku and Alternative Firing in the Raku Kiln, A Weekend Workshop

RAKUMANIA! Raku and Alternative Firing in the Raku Kiln, A Weekend Workshop

Spring Workshop | This course has been canceled

intermediate/advanced

5/21/2016-5/22/2016

10:00 AM-4:00 PM EDT on Sun Sat

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$170.00

Member Discount Available

Come spend the weekend firing with us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mobile Raku with Brett Thomas and Raku artist & teacher Laura Demme!

Explore the exciting surfaces possible for your ceramic pieces using the raku kiln, from traditional raku firing with its dark luminosity, to beautiful alternative techniques such as obvara, horsehair and ferric chloride saggar. This workshop will encompass several varied glazing and firing demos throughout each day with lots of opportunities to try out your favorite techniques for yourself. This extensive workshop will be taught by Brett Thomas and Laura Demme, both Potter's Guild members whose ceramic artwork has been exhibited internationally. This is a truly unique opportunity to immerse yourself in this beautiful and compelling process with two insightful and inspiring instructors. There will also be an optional dinner and slide show presentation with Q & A on Saturday night.

Workshop participants should bring 10 bisqued pots made with a raku clay body; 5 for raku and 5 with terra sigillata for alternative firings

all glazes and firing products are included.

  • There is also the option of participating for just one of the two days. Saturday only are $90 members/$100 non-members. Sunday only are $75 members/$85 non-members. To register for the one-day options, please see the registration menu.
  • For information about lodging and dining options in the area, please contact CAC program director, Kelly Nicholson kellyn@communityartscenter.org
Demme, Laura

Laura Demme's Webpage As an artist working in various media, Laura Demme’s art education began early as the daughter of an artist. Drawing, painting and sewing from the age of six, Laura continued her study through high school, then a year living at Peters Valley Craft School. Originally drawn to weaving, spinning and dyeing, Laura realized the versatility of “ Off the Loom” techniques such as crocheting, knitting and embroidery. Moving to NYC, Laura worked as a Crafts Designer and Assistant Editor at Good Housekeeping Magazine and contributed designs to Voque Knitting, Needlework, and other publications. As a Free Lance Designer for 14 Years in NYC, Laura worked with design houses contributing unique knit designs and inspiration to Geoffrey Beene, Ralph Lauren and many others. Laura then started painting. Laura’s work in oil on canvas and gessoed paper showed at a few invitationals in NYC and Art Shows in Atlanta and Rice University in Texas. Laura then retired from the textile industry, and married, gave birth to a daughter and took up Ceramics. Concentrating on Raku Firing and other Low Fire techniques Laura uses her mixed media sensibility to create Mixed Media figures, Vignettes, Sculpture and many other decorative pieces. Her continued exploration of technique and media include concrete, metal work (jewelry and steel welding), encaustic and acrylic abstract painting and gardening. When ever she needs to know about something Laura takes a workshop with whoever is the definitive person. Laura Demme is a juried member of the Pa Guild of Craftsmen and a Potters Guild Member. She teaches Raku Firing, Hand Building and Encaustic Painting at Community Arts Center, Wayne Art Center and Cheltenham Center for the Arts. “I look forward to integrating all that I have learned and experienced into my artwork, to fully express what it is to be an artist, and to inspire others to explore and expand the

Thomas, Brett

Brett's Website Brett Thomas is an artist, educator, and founder of MobileRaku. Brett recieved his BFA: Ceramics from The Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and an MFA: Ceramics from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He currently lives in Haverford Pennsylvania. Brett's process as a ceramic artist is a balancing act “of devoting myself to personal expression, while teaching and helping others to realize their vision and potential as artists.” “I want to share the joy of art and I envision Mobile Raku as the best way for reaching out to an ever-expanding circle of creative people,” Thomas said recently. “I hope to venture beyond the controlled space of the classroom setting in a way that will enable me to balance my journey of artistic discovery with helping other people explore the creative paths of their lives in unique and inspiring ways, which raku ceramics so perfectly embodies.”