On Friday October 11th, Ceramics II/III students visited Standard Ceramics in Carnegie for the day to participate in a raku firing, an ancient Japanese firing technique. During their time, students learned about various materials added to glazes to create colors and flashing and participated in loading and unloading an outdoor kiln. While the pieces were still piping hot, students immediately moved ceramics to a trash can filled with compost to create a reduction environment for the cooling process. Students also toured the studio, visited the gallery and the supply store. They learned about how clay is made and watched several demonstrations on the pottery wheel on building a jar with a lid.