Dates 2020: - 25-26th July, 22-23rd August

NB These dates form part of 3-day or four summer schools: for experienced ceramicists, and those wishing to take the full school including kiln building may do so.

Price: €190 course fee plus materials

Course description:

Materials for the kiln are approximately €230 (excluding the raku burner which you need not buy till after the course). You may either buy your own according to a shopping list, or arrange with Kinsale Pottery to buy them for you in the run-up to the course.

Do you have access to an electric kiln for biscuit firing, or perhaps you have been attending classes and doing your glaze firing in electric or gas kilns? This course is designed to provide you with an inexpensive and effective raku kiln, made by your own fair hand, tested out during the course and light enough to fit in the boot of your car to take home.

The kiln will be made from:

Wire mesh (about €50 - supplied by Kinsale Pottery)

Set of 25-30 cerqmic buttons supplied free from Kinsale Pottery

Ceramic Fibre (€135 for 18ftx 2ft x 50mm thick - supplied by DBI Ltd Cork)

20ft of Nichrome Wire (this doesn't melt at high temperatures) - €20- supplied by DBI Ltd Cork

1 x 14 inch kiln shelf and some 6 inch props (about €25 - supplied by DBI Ltd Cork))

During the weekend, you will construct a kiln approximately 20 inches deep and 22 inches diameter (top loading), learn to make raku glazes, and test-fire your raku kiln with a selection of pre-made bisque pieces. The ceramic work can be provided by you if you want, otherwise the pottery will provide pieces to glaze test.