20 - 26 NOVEMBER 2025
RAKU - FROM CLAY TO FIRE
WITH TIM ANDREWS
“The best pieces are a harmonious partnership between the random and the contrived.”
-Tim Andrews
Tim Andrews, one of the leading figures of Raku in the West, is coming to Cerdeira to share his profound knowledge of this exciting process! Originally from Japan and closely tied to the tea ceremony, this ancient glazing and rapid firing technique has evolved, taking Raku in new directions defined by a unique palette of colors or the striking contrast between glaze and clay body. With a deep understanding of this ancestral craft, Tim has explored these new paths, combining tradition with innovation.
This course brings together two of his greatest passions: ceramics and teaching. He will share his technical and artistic expertise while encouraging participants to experiment and discover their own voice using this technique that challenges the ceramic process and creates unique effects.
Through a combination of theory and practice, you will have the opportunity to learn from the master, observe, and create, transitioning from demonstrations to individual work, guiding you through the creative phase to the final firing process.
The first part of the course will focus on clay work, from throwing on the wheel to handbuilding. After the bisque firing, students will glaze, decorate, and prepare their pieces for the Raku firing. A particular highlight will be Tim’s unique resist slip method (or Naked Raku), a technique that creates unpredictable surface effects, allowing smoke to penetrate the cracks in the piece and leave marks that make each piece unique.
“The firing process continues to surprise me (...) Form and surface remain my primary concern – playing with smoke and fire is still central, as is exploring the interaction between 'controlled technique' and 'expressive release' - ideas about energy, containment, protection, and the tension between the cautious and the cavalier.”
Tim Andrews has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of Raku, combining traditional techniques with his own innovative methods. His work is renowned for its unique surfaces, which often feature intricate patterns and textures, created through the dynamic interaction of heat, glaze, and smoke. In this course, he will guide you on a journey of exploration and expression, teaching you his belief that the process itself is as important as the final piece, allowing the unpredictability of the firing to reveal unexpected beauty and form.
Whether you're new to Raku or looking to deepen your knowledge and explore new approaches, this 7-day course offers an immersive hands-on experience to create and experiment with the possibilities of this technique. The number of completed pieces will depend on firing times and the size of your work, but participants are expected to finish at least 6 pieces in the Raku kiln. At the end, you'll leave Cerdeira with a deeper understanding of the Raku technique, enriched by a creative and supportive environment, inspired by Tim’s approach to the technique and the philosophy behind it.
Tim Andrews has been making ceramics for over forty-five years, specializing in raku, a technique he has mastered and made his own.
His journey started in 1978 when he became a studio apprentice to David Leach. Then, he spent two years at Dartington Pottery Training Workshop, where he was employed to decorate one-off pieces and to train students in decorating techniques. Later, he set up an International Ceramics Summer School which attracted students from many different countries.
In 1986, he shared a workshop with David Leach in Bovey Tracey until 1993, when he founded his studio and gallery in Woodbury, Devon, where he is currently based.
Over the years, Tim has been a guest lecturer at different institutions, from universities to arts centers, in the UK and many countries around the world. His work is widely exhibited, with pieces held in public and private collections across the world. In addition to his practical experience, Tim is the author of two books about ‘Raku,’ published by A&C Black and Bloomsbury, and regularly curates exhibitions.
Cerdeira is pleased to welcome the expert Tim Andrews, who brings decades of teaching experience and a deep knowledge of the Raku technique. This course offers participants a unique opportunity to explore this distinctive firing technique while developing their own creative approach under Tim's mentorship.
Find out more about Tim Andrews's work here here.
RAKU COURSE details
RAKU COURSE PROGRAM:
Request the full program by email to artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
SCHEDULE:
November 20th:
from 3 pm: Accommodation and check-in of participants
5 pm: Reception at the studio and presentation of the group and trainers
7:30 pm: Welcome dinner at Casa das Artes
November 21st-26th:
course from 10 am to 6 pm, with a two-hour lunch break
November 27th:
Until 11 am: check-out from accommodation
CONDITIONS:
Deadline for enrollment: 20th September 2025.
Special discount for our community members for registrations until March 8th, 2025
THE RAKU COURSE FEE INCLUDES:
Training 5-6 hours a day, spoken in English and Portuguese;
Lunch during the course, from November 21st to 26th;
Free accommodation at the hostel during the course (7 nights)*;
All the materials needed for the course and firing**;
Welcome dinner on the first day of the course;
*The hostel is equipped with two dormitories (female/masculine), a kitchen, two shared bathrooms. The booking includes towels and linen.
** IMPORTANT!
For safety reasons during the wood-firing, we ask you to bring footwear that protects the toes, such as sneakers/shoes/boots. We also ask to avoid clothing with synthetic fibers, opting for natural fibers such as 100% cotton.
We also recommend bringing extra space in your luggage to take your pieces home at the end of the course. The available shipping options are not the most suitable or cost-effective for transporting ceramics, so personal transport is recommended.
ACCOMMODATION UPGRADES AVAILABLE:
Upgrade to 7 nights in a standard schist house shared by 2 participants and breakfast at an additional cost of 490€/per participant. Includes shared room, equipped kitchen, towels and bed linen.
Upgrade to 7 nights in a standard schist house for single occupancy by 1 participant and breakfast, with an additional cost of 700€/per participant. Includes single room, equipped kitchen, towels, and bed linen.
Please note that all accommodation options have limited availability and will be booked according to the order of registration and payment. For more information, contact artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
ENROLLMENTS AND MORE INFO:
artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com
+351 913 989 281*
*(call to national mobile network)
CANCELLATION POLICY FOR COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration, paying the correspondent transfer fees. Following the EU consumer protection legislation, payments are not refunded past 14 days of registration. The payment will be fully reimbursed if the training cannot be held because of insufficient students.
Suppose the training is canceled by Cerdeira - Home For Creativity for reasons of significant force such as a pandemic, civil disorder, a natural catastrophe, medical or family issues of the teacher, and others beyond our control. In that case, Cerdeira will offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years.
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