First Saturday Raku Firing August 2026, Hosted by Leon Potgieter – Potterbakker, Koringberg, Swartland
This 4-hour raku firing is for everyone who would like to fire their own pieces or those who have always had an interest in Raku firing.
If you do not have your own work, you can purchase pieces from me, and they will be available on the day of the firing at the studio. I will provide a price list and photographs to those who would like to use this service.
The workshop begins on the first Saturday of each month at 09:00 and concludes at 13:00 that day.
Cost: R1200 per person (snacks included).
No under-16s due to health and safety.
8 spaces are available on each day of the event.
For group bookings, please contact me to arrange and confirm availability.
Full payment is required to secure your booking.
Payments can be made to the account below. Please use your name as a reference.
Bank name: Standard Bank
Branch name: KENILWORTH CNT
Branch code: 6209
Account holder: HAPTIC ROBOTICS (PTY) LTD
Account number: 10 20 062 522 3
Account type: CURRENT
Please also complete the contact form so I can add you to the correct event database.
Location and Accommodation:
Koringberg is approximately an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
Our little town has a fantastic padstal - The Desert Rose for breakfast, coffee, and lunch, as well as the Marrian George Hotel in town for more formal lunches and cocktails.
Important Information:
All techniques produce non–food-safe, porous work.
Participants may bring 1–3 bisque-fired pieces for Raku firing.
Maximum size for Raku works: grapefruit width, 15 cm height x 15 cm width.
Clay must be highly grogged stoneware (approximately minimum 10 percent grog).
White clay bodies are strongly recommended, as results are clearer than on darker bodies such as terracotta or black clay.
Clay bodies that are smooth and burnished or Terra Sigillata produce the best effects.
Unsuitable work may be excluded to protect other participants’ pieces.
Firings Included (1 firing):
Raku
Participants will be divided into 2 firing groups during the raku firing to ensure smooth rotation and safe kiln access.
If you don’t have any work of your own but would like to buy pre-made pieces, I’ll have a few options available on the day of the workshop. Prices will range from R50 to R200 per piece, depending on the size. Please let me know if you would like to use this option for your booking.
Workshop Schedule:
Saturday – May 16, 08:00 - 18:00
09:00 Welcome & orientation
09:30 Preparation of work, glazing, and decoration
10:30 Firing of pieces
12:00 Cleaning of pieces
13:30 End of event
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Firing / Materials Guide for Raku
The info below explains exactly how to prepare your work and what materials are used in the Raku firing.
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Pot preparation: bisque-fired only at 950 degrees; Raku glazes applied during the workshop.
Traditional Raku: white Raku glaze or the use of horsehair and feathers, if participants do not want to glaze their work
Materials used: horsehair, feathers, Raku glaze, combustibles in a reduction chamber.
Surface effects: carbon lines, feather impressions, smoky halos.
Pot preparation: no glaze; highly polished, burnished, or terra sigillata surfaces.
What not to bring
Glazes or chemicals.
Oversized or heavy work.
Functional ware intended for food use.
What to bring
Grogged unglazed bisqued to 950 degrees pieces, max up to 3 pieces, 15 cm max height, 15 cm width.
Clothing and Safety
Closed shoes are mandatory.
Natural-fiber clothing suitable for heat and smoke.
Gloves recommended.
Hair tied back.
Firing groups will be assigned on arrival and remain consistent throughout the weekend.
Important note: Raku produces a lot of smoke during reduction. If you have any medical conditions, it is very important to let me know up front.