Cancelled – Pottery Using Raku Method of Firing

Unfortunately, we’ve had to cancel this class due to low enrollment. Paid registration fees will be refunded. 

Join accomplished potter and Oswego high school art teacher, Billie Jo Peterson, in the ancient art of Japanese Raku* ceramics. She will assist students in the use of handbuilding methods to create pottery pieces of their choice. On the last day students will assist in the final outdoor firing to create the metallic and iridescent finishes unique to the art of Raku. They will take their pieces home that day.

Note: Those who are already proficient in using a potter’s wheel may be able to do so (at the discretion of the instructor). However, there will be no throwing instruction. 

This 4-day class meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 9-11 am, July 29, 31, August 5, and 7.
Firing date August 7th, 9 am until done (likely 4+ hours depending on number of items to be fired). 

• Age and/or skill level: Adults (ages 16+); beginner to advanced
• Where: AAO – Oswego Civic Arts Center, Fort Ontario Complex (north end of E 4th St), Oswego. (Google Maps Address: 20 Barbara Donahue Dr)
• Cost: Instructional fee: $84 for AAO members or $120 for non-members. Materials fee is $20. Interested in receiving discounts by becoming a member? Please check this page org/membership.
• Class size limit: 8
• Instructor: Billie Jo Peterson currently teaches art at the Oswego High School. She has been teaching visual art to Oswego County community members for over 25 years. Her current interests as an artist range from sculpture and ceramics to stained glass and mixed media. To see some of her more current work search on Facebook “Billie Peterson” or “billiesartpage”.
• For questions about this class, please contact Bille : call or text (315)591-8401, email: beejeep@gmail.com
• For questions about the registration or payment process: please contact Jackie Neveu at Neveu@OswegoArts.org or call (315) 216-6782 and leave a message. 

Pre-registration & pre-payment are required. We cannot hold a class at these costs unless we have a minimum of 4 students. Please register using the form below. You will have the option to pay immediately directly from the registration form using PayPal, or pay later using a check or money order. If the class is cancelled by the AAO, or if you cancel at least 7 days prior to the first class, your entire payment will be returned. Payments are otherwise non-refundable.

NOTES:

1. You won’t be able to get back into the registration form later to pay electronically.
2. You can use PayPal as a guest without signing up for an account.

Checks or Money Orders should arrive at least 7 days before the start of class. If there are fewer than 7 days before class starts and you want to pay by check, you need to contact us first. Checks should be made out to “AAO” and mailed to us at: PO Box 271, Oswego NY 13126. Please note the class name & participant name on the memo line of your check.

*What is the Raku method of firing?

In the traditional Japanese process, the fired raku piece is removed from the hot kiln and is allowed to cool in the open air.

A more modern technique is now used. The fired raku piece is removed from the hot kiln and is placed in a container filled with combustible material. The smoke is allowed to penetrate the unglazed surfaces, which then turns satin black. The glazed areas will turn a metallic (usually copper) luster where heavily reduced, white crackle or another glossy color depending on the glaze.