Nancy Ross Pottery

My Raku Workshop Pots

Kind Words Come In About Raku Workshop

 “I appreciated the opportunity to complete a project from start to finish. I feel there is real value in seeing the project through to the firing. After the firing I was immediately inspired for my next project and was overwhelmed with ideas of what to do next.  I learned that there is so much science behind mixing glazes, and often the mistakes aren’t revealed until the piece is fired.”
- Holly Curry Bono

 
“Nancy Ross expertly guided us through the raku process, addressing any
concerns and answering any questions we had, all the while allowing us the
freedom to explore our own creativity. The firing was hot and mesmerizing
with the appropriate level of danger. Opening the reduction cans to
discover what changes your glaze had undergone was like unwrapping a
present on Christmas morning. It was a fun and exciting weekend; I hope to
attend next year.”

-Patrick Gibson

Raku workshop a success!

What is RAKU?

Raku Pot by Nancy

In case you are interested in the workshop, here’s a brief description of the process.

Raku pottery originated in Japan in the early 16th century, created by descendants of the Raku family for the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. First seen in the U.S. in the early 1960’s. the raku process was embraced for its immediacy and simplicity.
       Potters make and bisque fire pottery, glaze it, and fire it again in an outdoor kiln. As the kiln heats, the glazes come to a boil, then flatten as they become molten. At around 1800°, the kiln is opened and the glowing pots are removed and transferred to a container filled with combustible materials. In this transition, the pots are subjected to extreme thermal shock, which creates the characteristic crackle of the glazes.
       When the hot pots ignite the flammable material, a lid is quickly put on the container, which shuts off the source of oxygen. This process “reduces” the pots in an oxygen-starved atmosphere that is rich in carbon. Any crackle or unglazed portions of the pot turn varying shades of gray or black, and the rich colors of the glazes are developed.

Bowl with crackle glaze

Raku is a fast-firing technique which brings clay, heat, and smoke together in serendipitous ways, making discovery as significant as invention. Spontaneous and unpredictable results require suspension of expectations! A good release!

‘Nancy O’ accepted in Virginia Artists 2010 – Juried Exhibition

July 17 – August 29, 2010
Virginia Artists 2010 – Juried Exhibition at The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center in Hampton, Virginia

My pot “Bronze Iris” from the Nancy O series of vessels is included in the show. Nancy Sausser of the Mclean Project for the Arts selected 110 pieces by 101 artists from 763 works submitted this year.

Raku workshop coming in August

August 6 – 8 Raku workshop at Mary Baldwin College
WHY NOT FIRE WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY HOT!
Open to anyone with an interest in clay. No experience necessary. You can learn on the job. Limited to first 15 people who register. Workshop is already half full.
Contact Nancy to register and for more information.

Friday, August 6 – 9 – 2 pm – making pots.
Saturday, August 7 – 10 – 2 pm - glazes mixed and pots glazed. Lots to learn.
Sunday, August 8 – 10am until all pots fired. We’ll be firing pots.

Costs: $200 with good discounts for MBC and PVCC students and MBC faculty and staff.

Nancy wins second place at ART in the PARK.

I was honored to accept the second place award at Art in the Park in Staunton, Virginia on May 29 and 30, 2010.  The judge, from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, took many hours and spoke with all the artists before making her selections.

Staunton Art in the Park

May 29 and 30 - 
 Gypsy Hill Park will be the site of Art in the Park under the trees near the bandstand. This show is free and accessible with a wide selection of art and fine craft -entertainment daily and specialty foods available. Staunton is home to several historic architectural districts to include in your weekend visit.

VMRC 7th Annual Juried Art Exhibition

May 28 – June 30, 2010 -
The Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, VA will host this very special art exhibit of 82 two dimensional works and 17 three dimensional works by 91 artists from 22 states. I am excited to have “Grasslands” a fan bowl in the exhibition. An opening reception will be held June 6 from 2 – 4 PM in Park Gables Main Street Gallery. www.VMRC.org/artexhibition

Spring – where are you?

Just April and 90 degrees today. I’m still looking for spring. After spending time scavenging for more firewood a few weeks back, I find I am overstocked with wood. So throw open the doors, turn on the fans and get going. Two shows coming up…

April 25 – Art on the Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

May 8 & 9 – Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival, Crozet, Virginia www.crozetartsandcrafts.com