Raku Workshops

Severn will welcome Mobile Raku with artist Brett Thomas for a raku workshop with our Upper Schoolers. Over the course of these three days, Brett will work with students from all three divisions.

Raku is an exciting ceramic firing process that originated in Japan. It is different from other types of firing because the ceramic pieces are removed from the kiln at their hottest temperature and placed in a container of combustible material. The heat of the ceramics pieces immediately ignites the combustibles. The resulting smoke creates carbon that when trapped in the glaze, creates a shiny, metallic finish. Any unglazed surfaces turn black from the smoke. This process requires communication and teamwork, and everyone has a job to do to make the process run smoothly, safely, and successfully.

Mr. Thomas is a ceramic artist and teacher who lives and works Haverford, PA, and he runs Mobile Raku.