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teacher Amy Carpenter skillfully handles a ceramic piece during the Raku firing session, highlighting the exciting and intense nature of this traditional technique.
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Sculpture Teacher Amy Carpenter expertly manages the Raku Kiln, showcasing her skill and enthusiasm.
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Sculpture Teacher Amy Carpenter carefully lifts the Raku kiln cover, revealing the beautifully fired ceramics beneath.
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Ady Jaeckle’s ’25 finished bowl after getting fired in the kiln.
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Ady Jaeckle’s ’25 finished bowl after getting fired in the kiln.
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Student work after the Raku firing.
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Student work after the Raku firing.
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Director of Technology Jen Kunkel takes a look inside the kiln.
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English teacher Bradley Starr investigates the hot, orange glow inside the kiln.
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Yasmine Demeter ’27 uses a temperature gun to gauge the heat of the kiln, as sculpture teacher Amy Carpenter looks on.
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Sculpture teacher Amy Carpenter places the art pieces inside the Raku Kiln before firing it up.
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Not even today’s rain could stop Amy Carpenter’s sculpture class from engaging in Raku pottery, a traditional Japanese technique known for its distinctive and unpredictable finishes.
The process involved using a blow torch to rapidly heat a specialized Raku kiln to temperatures exceeding 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit.
Afterward, the glowing hot pottery was carefully removed from the kiln and placed in a reduction chamber filled with combustible materials, creating a smoky, oxygen-reduced atmosphere that results in unique crackled glazes and metallic finishes.