Fox Fridays: Raku Pumpkins and Cats
In this workshop, participants will decorate and raku fire their choice of two Halloween themed pre-cast objects. We will start with discussing the history of raku and specifics of this process. Following this, participants will glaze and fire their first piece, the result of which will be used to inform the decorating and glazing of their second and final piece. All works will be finished and able to be taken home at the end of this workshop.
Because of the fire and kiln, participants will need to wear: 1) close-toed shoes; 2) natural fiber clothing (i.e. cotton…no synthetics) and 3) full length pants
##Takeaway Students will have the opportunity to take home 1-3 rakued items.
##Cross-Disciplinary Connections The ceramic process is tied directly to: CHEMISTRY(glazes and clay); ENGINEERING (kilns and process); THERMO-DYNAMICS(kilns / the firing process); and ARCHITECTURE (bricks, tiles, architectural ceramics and kiln structures / shapes)
Instructor
Dryden Wells works as an Instructional Technician of wood, metals and ceramics at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University. A native of St. Louis, he recently returned after having spent the previous 14 years studying and working in the field of ceramics in both the USA and China. Wells continues to build his studio practice in St. Louis and to immerse himself into the community.
About Fox Fridays
Fox Fridays is a weekly, low-stress workshop series introducing the WashU community to overlooked or lesser-known tools, resources, processes, and ideas. It provides a platform for students to develop hybridized practices of creative output that transcend discipline, medium, and experience.