The evolution of raku at Florida High (FSUS) Barbara Davis

Our first raku kiln was an old electric kiln stripped of elements Our first raku kiln was an old electric kiln stripped of elements. A 5” circle cutting blade was used to make the hole in the wall for the burner to introduce flames. We borrowed the propane tank, burner, tongs, and leathers from the FSU sculpture department.

We used some buckets but also reduced some pieces directly on the lawn.

It takes a lot to set up, fire, and clean up. And it’s Hot!

Here’s some early student raku ware. Since we had to borrow half the equipment we only did it once a year, all day long. It was a lot of work but it was worth it! Here’s some early student raku ware.

We wrote proposals for funding and contacted ceramic companies to get our own raku equipment. We wanted light, portable equipment so we could do half day or whole day firings whenever we wanted.

We found the Brackers Good Earth Clays website and contacted them about purchasing two complete raku kiln kits so we could donate one to our sister school in Mississippi. Brackers deducted the cost of the kiln from the second kit!

Amaco donated two boxes of assorted raku glazes…one for our school and one to donate to our sister school in Mississippi. They also donated dual sets of men’s and women’s leather gloves and two pair of Kevlar high temperature gloves. They shipped all of the products to us for free. Their donation was valued at well over $300.

The Brackers Raku kiln kit comes with a Red Dragon weed burner to fire the kiln. The bricks on top of the kiln are necessary on windy days!!

The Bracker’s raku kiln kit also includes softbricks, shelves and tongs. The high temp gloves in the photo were donated by Amaco.

More examples of student work.

This shows our students helping to raku fire at the Florida State University Arts & Sciences Fair held in March 2009. What we fired on this day included tea bowls for Ms. Cooper-Guastella’s (Ms. Cee-Gee’s) 2nd grade class.

Our advanced sculpture class taught the 2nd graders how to make pinch pot tea bowls.

The second graders had learned about the history of Raku from our high school class. Then they practiced making pinch pots with Play-Doh before we came with the raku clay.

Ms. Cee Gee’s class studied 3 brush strokes: Bamboo, bamboo leaf and Chrysanthemum. Then they combined all 3 into new images, such as the lion at the far right.

Large mural sized paintings done by the second graders.

After bisque fire we are ready to glaze our tea bowls.

The 2nd graders used the ink brush strokes they had learned to decorate the outside of their tea bowls with the Amaco glazes.

The next day the bowls were raku fired downtown at the Arts & Sciences Fair.

Finally, Ms. Cee-Gee’s class met with Japanese students from FSU’s International Studies program. They learned about the underlying philosophies of the tea ceremony: harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. They practiced and prepared their room, and invited guests to their own tea ceremony.

Thanks to the Florida High PTSA, SAC committee, Florida Learn & Serve, Amaco, Bracker’s Good Earth Clays, Donor’s Choose, Kids in Need, and all the teachers and administrators I have worked with who have encouraged collaboration across grade levels and across state lines.