On November 13th, the ceramics classes had the rare chance to experience raku firing of their own pots and mugs. What would normally be a regular school day was transformed into a field trip right on Flint Hill’s campus, where students were involved in a hands-on firing and spent the whole day outside.
Raku, a method that originated in Japan, is known for its fast firing, intense heat, and the smoky designs that are left on ceramic pieces. Instead of slowly cooling in a traditional kiln, raku pieces are removed while still scorching hot and placed into flammable materials like newspaper. The flames create crackles, metallic flashes, and smoky textures that make raku so unique.
The setup looked almost like a science experiment with metal trash cans, piles of newspaper, tongs, gloves, and a raku kiln glowing orange on the inside. With Ms. Cardone’s guidance, students worked together to pull their pieces from the kiln, transfer them into the trash cans, and quickly cover them to trap the smoke. The photos capture it perfectly with students in heat-resistant gloves and goggles leaning over trash cans as flames escape, and others helping pull out the one-of-a-kind pieces.
The atmosphere was a mix of teamwork and curiosity. The students would crowd around each firing, watching the smoke blow through the cold November air. Each step felt like a moment of discovery, especially when students finally pulled the cooled pieces from the ashes to see how the fire had transformed them. As Evelyn Redding ‘28 put it, “It was a great and enriching experience that was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially with our incredible mentor, Ms. Cardone.”
To end the day, everyone on the trip gathered around to make s’mores, the perfect way to end the long field trip in the cold. The raku trip was more than just standing around a kiln waiting for the pots to be fired; instead, it was a shared experience, a memory-making moment, and a chance to learn new techniques for ceramics firing. Thanks to Ms. Cardone, students left with both uniquely fired artwork and a story everyone will remember forever.
