Ellison Bay Pottery Hosts Raku Saturdays in August

Raku firing at Ellison Bay Pottery. Submitted.

Ellison Bay Pottery, 12156 Garrett Bay Road, is hosting Raku Saturdays every Saturday afternoon throughout August, beginning Aug. 3, 2 pm. Potters John Dietrich and Diane McNeil will demonstrate this alternative way of firing pottery during several firings on Raku Saturdays so viewers can experience all the steps.

Raku generally refers to a type of low-firing process inspired by traditional Japanese raku firing. Western-style raku usually involves removing pottery from the kiln while it’s at bright-red heat and placing it in containers with combustible materials such as leaves, sawdust, wood shavings and newspapers.