Fall Raku: Surface, Fire, and Form (Sep 8 - Oct 20 skips Oct 14)

For both hand-builders and experienced potters. Ages 16+

Dive into the unpredictable and exhilarating world of Raku ceramics in this exploratory class focused on experimentation, surface, and transformation through fire. Designed for both hand-builders and potters with prior wheel experience, this course offers a space to play, test, and push the boundaries of form and finish.

While no formal wheel instruction will be provided, experienced throwers will have access to the throwing room for their projects. For those newer to clay, we’ll introduce a few approachable handbuilding forms to serve as launchpads for testing Raku surfaces and firing outcomes.

Raku is a dramatic, fast-firing process that often yields stunning results—but it’s also notoriously unpredictable. Expect cracked glaze, carbon flashes, wild textures, and, yes, breakage. In this spirit, every piece in this class is considered a test tile—a chance to embrace imperfection, learn from fire, and celebrate the unexpected.

What to expect:

• Guided handbuilding projects (no wheel instruction)
  
• Access to throwing room for experienced potters
  
• Focus on surface experimentation and glaze testing
  
• Multiple Raku firings throughout the session
  
• Emphasis on process over perfection

This class is perfect for adventurous makers ready to let go of control, lean into the unknown, and discover what the fire wants to say.

Day of the Week
Mondays, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Six Week Class Schedule
Monday, September 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, October 6th, and 20th (skipping the 14th).

Teaching Artist
Suzanne Lussier

Instructor Bio
Suzanne Lussier was born and raised in California. She began teaching as a Teach for America corps member in 2002, developing an art program at a charter school in Washington DC while earning a Master of Arts in Teaching. With a great interest in global perspectives Suzanne moved to Chile for two years where she taught and was immersed in the diverse cultures of South America. In 2006 Suzanne returned to the United States and spent five years studying ceramics at the Oregon College of Art and Craft and the University of Montana, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts. Suzanne served on the Board of Directors for the National Council on Education in Ceramic Arts (NCECA) and has shown her work both nationally and abroad. Suzanne’s work has been featured in publications such as Ceramics Art and Perception. She has been an artist in residence at Red Lodge Clay Center; the Medalta Studio in Alberta, Canada; Mendocino Art Center, and was a visiting artist through a Chilean government grant in Cohaique, Chile.

Price
Non-member $350
General membership and above $315 (Please use discount code: ICAMEMBERSAVE at checkout)

All students receive one month of FREE MEMBERSHIP at the ICA ceramics studio following the conclusion of the course.

Interested in deepening your ceramics knowledge? This class forms part of the ICA Ceramics Certificate Program course sequence. To learn more and save on ICA courses, click here.