Fridays, 6pm to 9pm, for 4-weeks, from 13 November 2026 to 4 December 2026

Raku is pottery at its most dramatic — pots pulled glowing from the kiln, flames, smoke, and results you can never quite predict. Over four Friday nights, David Kenny will take you beyond standard raku glazes to explore three alternative firing methods, each creating its own unique effects on the surface of your work.

All levels welcome, no experience necessary. David will cover everything you need to know about making pieces for raku on the first night. Classes are limited to just 8 students, so there's plenty of hands-on time at the kiln for everyone.

What you'll cover each week:

• Week 1 – Making for raku. How to make and join pieces so they survive raku's rapid heating and cooling, plus burnishing. You'll get familiar with the equipment and safety gear (tongs, visors, masks and overalls), and David will introduce each of the three techniques. No firing this week.
• Week 2 – Naked raku. Apply slip and a resist glaze, fire, then smoke your pieces in sawdust. The glaze peels away to reveal fine crackle patterns carbon-etched into the clay beneath.
• Week 3 – Horsehair & feathers. Lay horsehair and feathers onto hot bare pots straight from the kiln and watch them burn their marks onto the surface. Obvara may also feature if the group is keen. You'll also glaze your copper matt pieces ready for week 4.
• Week 4 – Copper matt. The most hands-on night of the course. Working in pairs, you'll reduce red-hot pots in tins and coax out flashes of copper, red and iridescent colour. Every firing is different, and pots can be reheated and tried again.

The price includes:

• Four 3-hour sessions with David Kenny
• Slips and raku glazes for naked raku
• Copper matt glaze, made with black copper oxide
• All gas for six raku kiln loads across three firing nights
• An electric kiln firing of your copper matt pieces to around 1050°C before week 4
• Half a kiln shelf per student on every firing night
• Use of WSP's raku kiln, reduction tins, sawdust bins, tongs and full safety equipment

What to bring:

• Your own horsehair and feathers for week 3
• Old clothes and closed-toe shoes — raku is hot, smoky and outdoors

Raku happens outdoors, so heavy rain can affect the programme. Only 8 places available — book early!less