PAC hosts rockin’ Raku party

The annual Raku Party fundraiser for Patchogue Arts Council was held on Sunday, May 16, at a private residence in Sayville. Raku is a multi-sensate experience of creativity in which the participants heard talented musicians and ate creative dishes while exploring their own creativity through the magical process of Raku.

Raku is an American adaptation of traditional Japanese ceramic processes. In his workshops and classes, sculptor and ceramist Bill Shillalies introduced his students to this almost mystical process of glazing pottery. Shillalies and PAC artistic director John Cino have been teaming up for a decade to create a fundraising activity that focuses on fun.

Shillalies brought his portable Raku kiln and glazing supplies, and Cino was responsible for talented local music and signature dishes. A guest host opened their property to the event and along with the PAC team, food and beverages were provided.

Shillalies brought a tea bowl in the bisque state waiting to be glazed. He and his crew instructed the participants in the glazing technique and the firing began.

After the glazed ceramic was warmed, the kiln temperature was cranked up and able to reach 2000 degrees Fahrenheit in about 40 minutes. With the ceramic glowing, the kiln was opened and the bowls were removed and placed into a bed of wood shaving which immediately ignited. A pail was placed over the burning wood which starved the environment for oxygen.

Under this cover, the magic happened as the fire sought oxygen from other sources, namely the clay and glaze. A chemical reaction took place, which produced surprising results. After cooling in water and a good scrub, the participants’ tea bowls were ready to be taken home.

The Raku Party offered a setting for novices to explore the spontaneity of this creative process while enjoying food, beverages and music and meeting interesting people from various arts communities.

Individually decorated pots were fired and finalized for event-goers to take home.