Kent Potter's Association - Annual Raku Weekend

Annual Raku Weekend, 10 - 11 June 2000

Every year for goodness knows how long the pyromaniacs of the Kent Potters have assembled in the idylic surroundings of Bore Place. In a field at the end of the formal gardens there is a wood-fired kiln constructed of local bricks. This was re-built in 1999 under the direction of long-standing member Marion McKenzie. In addition the KPA has a gas-fired raku kiln, and members also bring their own kilns.

For those who have never experinced Raku firing: a word of explanation. The pots are glazed, and then fired immediately to about 800-900慢. They are then withdrawn from the kiln and subjected to a reduction treatment. This varies depending on the effect sought, but usually involves plunging the pot into combustible material such as paper or sawdust, and restricting the air. The result is that oxygen is pulled from the molten glaze, giving a palete of stunning, but unpredictable colour. Unglazed areas absorb the heavy smoke, and become black.

Stoking the wood-fired kiln	Plunging the pot into a bin full of paper and woodshavings
Fun in the glaze tent	This magnificent pot was made by Billy Eccles who came from Ireland with Mide Reddin. They are members of the Craft Potters Society of Ireland
This elegant pale blue pot has smoke lines marking where a layer of slip resist has been moved by the glaze. It is by Jane Gibson	This bottle, by Mike Evans, combines a dry copper slip with a white crackle glaze. The glaze has been coloured with flashes of blue, green and bronze by the copper beneath it.
These beautiful figures show how the contrast of the smoke blackened clay and the metalic colours of copper glazes can be used. I'm sorry - I don't know who made them.	A display of just some of the work fired on the Saturday.