RAKU FIRING WORKSHOP with Davide Calafato
Guest Artists Workshop100,00 €
- Learn the ancient Japanese art of Raku
- Unpredictable surface effects
- Rich, vibrant colours
On Sunday, 11 October 2026, join Davide Calafato, a wheel-throwing instructor with over 25 years of experience and a specialist in the Raku firing technique.
Together, we’ll fire ceramic pieces, observe every stage of the process, and discover how heat and thermal shock create Raku’s distinctive colours and surface effects.
At the end of the day, you’ll take home your own Raku-fired ceramic piece.
Raku is a traditional Japanese ceramic firing technique.
Rooted in Zen philosophy, the word Raku can be translated as comfort, ease, enjoyment, or the joy of living.
Pieces are fired at temperatures between 750°C and 950°C. Once the desired temperature is reached, they are removed from the kiln while still glowing hot and exposed to thermal shock. They are then cooled in open air, water, or sealed containers filled with combustible materials. The amount of oxygen available during this process influences the final colours and surface effects.
The result is a vibrant, lustrous finish with smoky tones and beautifully unpredictable variations that make every piece unique.
If you would like to experience the Raku firing process alongside an experienced ceramic artist, join this workshop.
You can fire a piece prepared by Studio MUD, or bring one of your own. If you choose to fire your own work, it must be made at Studio MUD by Saturday, 19 September.
The Teacher
Davide Calafato has been a pottery wheel specialist for over 25 years.
His artistic journey led him to discover the Raku firing technique, which has become the focus of his ceramic practice.
He is best known for his teapots and tea sets, crafted using the Raku technique and combined with natural wooden roots. The organic forms of the wood blend harmoniously with the beautifully unpredictable surfaces created by Raku firing, making every piece one of a kind.
Davide is a member of ALAB, the network of artists and artisans in Palermo, and his work is available at Insumu Lab, a shared creative space in Piazza Aragona 19, where he exhibits alongside fellow local makers.
Info
Workshop Details
- When? Sunday, 11 October 2026
- Where? At Davide’s studio Strada Comunale Molinazzo 1, Santa Ninfa (TP), Sicily, Italy
- Duration 5 hours, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
- What’s included? Before the workshop, you’ll be asked whether you’d like to fire a ceramic piece prepared by Studio MUD or one of your own. If you choose to bring your own work, you’ll need to make it at Studio MUD by Saturday, 19 September 2026.
- Lunch is included for all participants.
- What should I bring? Comfortable clothing… and your curiosity. We’ll take care of everything else.
- How many places are available? The workshop is limited to 15 participants to ensure a high-quality learning experience. It will be confirmed once a minimum of 6 participants have registered, so we encourage you to reserve your place early.
- Price €100 per person
- 10% discount (€90) for Studio MUD students enrolled in a weekly or intensive pottery wheel course (valid for one workshop of your choice).
- 5% discount (€95) on your first workshop when you subscribe to our newsletter.
- What happens if the workshop is cancelled? If the minimum number of participants is not reached, or if the workshop cannot take place for any other reason, you may choose between a full refund or a voucher of the same value to use for another Studio MUD workshop.
