Raku

In a flash of divine intervention, in September 2008, I landed at UVAPAPA, the mystical, magical Mecca of the raku world. The Upper Valley Artists Potters and Party Association was an annual gathering of raku aficionados, musicians, friends, strangers and groovy makers held in Villa Grove, Colorado (pop. appx. 350). It was the final fire, the last year the event would be held. But, 25-year UVAPAPA veteran Roger Fenton taught me to fire the kiln, igniting a powerful passion for the sheer volatility, vulnerability and striking beauty of the ancient Japanese firing technique.