Ceramics: Paper and Fire: Raku Firing in a Paper Kiln with Susan Raber Bray

Title: Ceramics: Paper and Fire: Raku Firing in a Paper Kiln with Susan Raber Bray

Instructor: Susan Raber Bray

Schedule: Wednesdays and Fridays, January 31 – February 23, from 2:00 - 5:00 pm [8 sessions]

Level:  All Levels (teens 16+ welcome!)

Tuition: $285 Member / $342 Non-Member

Supply: $50

Full class description: Come join the fun and learn how to make your own paper kiln!  During this workshop we will be exploring how to make various types of paper kilns: kilns using newspaper and slurry, and kilns using newspaper rolled and braided. Our source of fuel will be diverse types of wood that burn at different temperatures and local materials such as seaweed, sawdust, grasses and leaves. Over the course of four weeks, we will build a paper kiln as a group and then students will have the opportunity to make a kiln on their own or in a small group. By the conclusion of our time together, students will have the knowledge and confidence to go home and make a paper kiln for their personal use, and will be familiar with a variety of fueling and firing techniques.

Beginner and advanced students are welcome, and many different ways to work with clay will be demonstrated. Students will have the opportunity to try a variety of hand building techniques (coil, pinch and slab), as well as basic wheel throwing.  We will add patterns and designs to our forms by carving, pressing, piercing, stamping, and incising into the clay.  A polished finish will be achieved without the need for glaze by burnishing our pieces with terra sigillata before smoke firing them in our paper kilns.  Possible projects to make and fire in the paper kilns include garden stepping stones, wind chimes, fountains, boxes, dream bowls, starry night bowls, moon bowls and all the unique ideas that you bring to this workshop.

Instructor bio:  Susan Raber Bray, born in New York and living in Vermont since the early 70’s, works in several media, including clay, oils, and  local  plant materials. After earning her B.A she developed her technique in numerous studios across the country, followed by a two-year apprenticeship with Mirko Orlandini, a master Italian ceramicist living in Brussels, Belgium. On her return to U.S. she founded her first studio in South Londonderry, Vermont in 1975.

Susan’s work is shown both nationally and internationally. In recent years she has held workshops in France, England, and Italy. As a visiting artist sponsored by the Vermont Council On The Arts (since 1989) Susan has taught in numerous Vermont public schools. She has also taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, the Community College of Vermont, St Michael’s College, and is currently teaching at the University of Vermont and her own studio school, Springhouse Pottery in Charlotte.

Supply fee includes:

• Laguna Clay (Cone 6), 25lbs
• Terra Sigillata
• Sawdust
• DMAC glazes and underglaze products

Students should bring:

• Newspapers
• We have community ceramic tools to use but you may wish to bring your favorites (with your name on them!) if you have them
• Dress to get muddy!
• Notebook/Sketchbook
• Water bottle
• Sack Lunch

For more information contact Susan at springhousearts@gmavt.net or (802)310-3860

Minimum Enrollment: 5

Maximum Enrollment: 15