Raku Workshop: 23 - 25 October 2026, Hosted by Leon Potgieter – Potterbakker, Koringberg, Swartland
This immersive three-day workshop explores atmospheric and raku firing techniques through structured preparation, carefully paced firings, and shared learning.
The workshop begins on Friday, 23, at 14:00 and concludes on Sunday, 25, at 15:00.
Cost: R3500 per person (all meals included). Limited space available due to health and safety.
For group bookings, please contact me to arrange and confirm availability.
Full payment is required to secure your booking.
Location and Accommodation:
Koringberg is approximately an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Multiple Airbnb options are available in the village, as well as accommodation at the Miriam George Hotel.
Important Information:
All techniques produce non–food-safe, porous work.
Participants may bring 1–2 bisque-fired pieces per firing.
Maximum size: grapefruit width, 15 cm height.
Clay must be highly grogged stoneware (approximately 10 percent grog).
White clay bodies are strongly recommended, as results display more clearly than on darker bodies such as terracotta or black clay.
Unsuitable work may be excluded to protect other participants’ pieces.
Firings Included:
Pit firing (overnight)
Saggar firing (including ferric chloride)
Raku copper firing
Traditional raku with horsehair and feathers
Obvara firing
Participants will be divided into firing groups during raku firings to ensure smooth rotation and safe kiln access.
Workshop Schedule:
Friday – March 27
14:00 Welcome, introductions, safety briefing
15:00 Preparation for raku copper firing
16:00 Raku copper firing
18:30 Dinner
19:30 Pit firing preparation and loading
21:00 Pit firing lit and sealed overnight
Saturday – March 28
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Pit firing, unpacking, and review
11:00 Preparation for horsehair and feather raku
12:00 Traditional raku firing
14:30 Lunch
15:30 Preparation for saggar firing
16:30 Saggar firing
18:30 Dinner
Sunday – March 29
08:30 Breakfast
09:30 Saggar unpacking and review
10:30 Preparation for obvara firing
11:30 Obvara firing
14:00 Final review and discussion
15:00 Farewell
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Firing / Materials Guide
This guide explains exactly how to prepare your work and what materials are used in each firing.
All firing materials, glazes, chemicals, and additives are provided as part of the workshop.
General Requirements
All work must be bisque-fired.
All results are non–food-safe and porous.
Maximum size per piece: grapefruit width, 15 cm height.
Clay body must be highly grogged stoneware (approximately 10 percent grog).
White clay bodies are strongly recommended.
Each participant may fire a maximum of 1–2 pieces per firing.
Firing and Materials
Pit Firing (Overnight)
Materials used: wood, ash, sawdust, charcoal, organic plant material, copper wire, copper carbonate or oxide, and salts.
Surface effects: smoke blackening, earthy tones, flashing, organic markings.
Pot preparation: no glaze; burnished, terra sigillata, or smooth raw clay surfaces.
Saggar Firing (Including Ferric Chloride)
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Materials used: ferric chloride, copper wire, copper carbonate or oxide, salts, steel wool, sawdust, organic materials.
Surface effects: rust tones, flashing, soft staining, layered atmospheric effects.
Pot preparation: no glaze; burnished or terra sigillata surfaces preferred.
Naked Raku & Raku Copper Firing
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Materials used: copper-based raku glazes and reduction materials.
Surface effects: metallic flashes, iridescence, crackle, smoke effects.
Pot preparation: bisque-fired only; glazes applied during the workshop.
Traditional Raku with Horsehair and Feathers
Materials used: horsehair, feathers.
Surface effects: carbon lines, feather impressions, smoky halos.
Pot preparation: no glaze; highly polished, burnished, or terra sigillata surfaces.
Obvara Firing
Materials used: fermented obvara mixture and water.
Surface effects: mottled browns, creams, organic patterning.
Pot preparation: no glaze; smooth or lightly textured surfaces.
What not to bring
Glazes or chemicals.
Oversized or heavy work.
More than 2 pieces per firing.
Functional ware intended for food use.
Clothing and Safety
Closed shoes are mandatory.
Natural-fibre clothing suitable for heat and smoke.
Gloves recommended.
Hair tied back.
Firing groups will be assigned on arrival and remain consistent throughout the weekend.
Published: Jan 7, 2026