Join our talented BCB Associate Artists to experience the magic of raku

This event is taking place as part of the Hi! Stoke Festival, outside in the Spode Museum secret garden.

When?

11am-2pm, Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 February 2024

This workshop is part of the Hi! Stoke Festival, a partnership project between Historic England and Stoke-On-Trent City Council to support the regeneration of Stoke’s High Street through Heritage. The cultural programme includes a series of festivals and events run by cultural organisations based in Stoke-on-Trent including BCB, B arts, Acava SpodeWorks, Festival Stoke, Spode Museum and Friends of Spode Rose Garden.

The Hi! Stoke Festival runs from 10:30am-4pm in locations around the Stoke-on-Trent city centre.

Where?

Spode Museum secret garden, Elenora Street Stoke-on-Trent ST4 1QD

There is a pay-and-display car park on the Spode factory site. Access to the garden is through the Spode Museum, there will be signs directing you.

What will I do?

Experiment with applying glaze to a fired ceramic object, then stand back and watch the transformation occur through this fast and dramatic firing technique.

Raku is a Japanese firing process where the ceramic pieces are heated quickly to 1000c, then taken red-hot from the kiln and placed into a bin of combustible material. This creates an oxygen-deprived atmosphere, known as reduction, which results in some wonderful surface colours and metallic finishes. This is further enhanced when the pieces are crash-cooled in water. This type of firing is risky as sometimes pieces crack due to the thermal shock.

You can take the glazed and fired object home with you.

Who is this for?

The activities are suitable for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Children 4 and over are welcome to participate but must be accompanied by an adult, and both will need to book a place.

How do I book?

This is a free event that is part of the Hi! Stoke Festival and there will be many drop-in activities that do not require booking. However, if you would like to glaze a piece to participate in the raku firing, then places must be booked in advance due to limited space in the kiln. You can reserve your spot on this webpage.

If you are unable to attend after booking your place, please get in touch with us at studio@britishceramicsbiennial.com so we can open up the space for someone else to enjoy.

High Street Heritage Action Zone programme

This event is completely free and is part of the Stoke Town High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme, a four-year partnership project between Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Historic England.

Click here for more information.