TriCity Potters meet once a month, from September to May, in the Appleyard Room at PoMoArts. Last Wednesday, after a very brief AGM, we settled down for an interesting and well-planned talk by Vancouver potter and teacher, Markian Kyba.
Do check this link to learn more about Markian.
A raku firing at the Shadbolt Centre has been booked for TriCity Potters in early December so it was a good idea to have Markian spend some time explaining the process. He clearly enjoys teaching and practicing raku firing.
Considering the whole process of setting up a raku kiln and the special glazes required, he now books the same Shadbolt kiln and technicians to provide a raku experience for his students.
Displayed here are several raku-fired pots as well as reduction and wood-fired pieces.
It’s difficult to move a wheel etc into our meeting room for a two-hour presentation but Markian and his school’s ceramics technician, our own Max Yang, took some videos this week. Short videos of throwing and applying decoration were a perfect way to get around the demonstration hurdle. As he worked on his wheel Markian discussed ways of applying ferns and then spraying slip over them with an atomizer. Members asked about suitable clays for raku.. basically any clay will work, but add grog, said he.
After we’d watched the videos Markian discussed the pots he’d brought along. He’s most interested in atmospheric firings, especially wood firing. He also recommended local potters take advantage of the Potters Guild of BC gas kiln (to be found in the Mergatroid Building in East Vancouver) for cone 10R firing experience.
Some members were happy to purchase a pot or two from our presenter at the end of the evening. Thank you Markian.
All are welcome to attend TCP meetings on the third Wednesday of each month.
Two more sleeps until I help to unload the latest soda firing at Shadbolt!
Interesting speaker, Gillian , Thank you for the colourful blog ! Susan