Enhancing Raku Through Design

Past Event

Enhancing Raku Through Design

18+

Instructor: Eric L. Stearns

This workshop is designed for artists familiar with throwing who want to expand their skills, develop a custom color palette using Mason stains, and experience the challenges of Raku firing.

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Overview

This workshop begins with a focus on throwing and demonstrations of forms that lend themselves particularly well to Eric’s design techniques. Participants will learn how to pierce pots and will be challenged to develop their own designs to pierce the work they created the previous day.

By mid-week, students will experiment with small custom raku glazes, mixing 200-gram batches of a base crackle glaze with added Mason stains to create up to seven different colors. Unlike the typical flashy metallic raku glazes, these emphasize subtle surface effects. Eric will also demonstrate tape resist methods for creating designs that can be masked off before the raku glazes are applied.

Toward the end of the week, the class will raku fire bisque pieces that participants bring with them, averaging two to three kiln loads per day. Each student should plan to bring five bisque-fired pieces at Cone 07 or less; bisque firing at a hotter temperature than Cone 07 may prevent the reduction-smoke from permeating the clay surface effectively. You’ll leave with a repertoire of new skills, raku-fired glaze pieces and bisqueware.

Additional Information

Eric L. Stearns was born and raised on a ranch near North Platte, Nebraska. In 2003, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a Professional Emphasis from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska. He went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts from Fort Hays State University in 2008.

After completing his MFA, Eric returned to Doane College, where he now serves as Professor and Chair of the Art & Design Department. When he’s not teaching, Eric dedicates his time to creating thrown, pierced raku art.

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50 lbs Raku-K EM345 Laguna clay, firings, and consumable supplies including raku glaze, tape, contact paper, Mason stains.

The program will begin Sunday morning, with a brief orientation at 8:30 am. Workshops will start at 9 am.

Sunday night will feature a program mixer, where you will have the opportunity to meet with your classmates outside of the studio, as well as meet other students in our adult programs for the week.

Monday nights feature an opening reception at the Parks Exhibition Gallery, featuring work from our very own summer faculty!

Daily instruction occurs from 9am-12pm, with a break for lunch in the campus dining hall (included in tuition), and followed with more instruction from 1pm-4pm.

Artist Talks will be held in the evenings on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This is a wonderful opportunity to listen to our H.O.T. Clay instructors speak on their art.

On Saturday morning at 10 am, join your fellow workshop participants for an exciting kiln unveiling and celebration!

Generous donors have made scholarships and fellowships for adult workshops available on a limited basis for these specific groups:

1) Native American Community Members, Leaders, Artists, and Teachers

For adults 18 and older with current tribal affiliation, the scholarship brings community leaders, artists, members, and teachers to workshops at ��ֱ�� to benefit both the scholarship recipients and those in their schools or tribal communities. Applicants with financial needs may receive priority. We also offer scholarships for Native American Teens for both the ��ֱ�� Program and the Academy.

2) Inland Empire Teachers, Professors, and Graduate Students

For adults 18 and older who are current teachers in lower and higher education who will benefit from learning about Native American Arts and Culture to take back into the classroom as well as currently enrolled Graduate students. The scholarship is designed to provide professional development for those in education to share with their learning communities.

Scholarships include tuition, dorm housing, and all meals provided by the campus dining service. Transportation to and from campus is not provided, and the $50 registration fee is not included.
Click for more information about adult scholarships.