Visiting artist James C. Watkins will give a two-day ceramics workshop on Oct. 11 at 9 a.m. in Mary Moody Northern Hall.

“I give four to five workshops a year,” Watkins said “I use the same techniques in each workshop.”

Watkins will demonstrate different techniques from his book “Alternative Kilns and Firing Techniques,” including techniques used for a Raku kiln, a low heat, rapid-fire technique for firing ceramics.  Once removed from the heat, the ceramics are placed in an airtight container filled with a flammable material such as newspaper or sawdust.  The different materials do different things to the surface of the ceramics.

The workshop has some art students excited, including senior Art major Dione Pompa who said she preferred the Raku technique to others.

“[It’s] un-predicting, makes the work exciting,” she said.

For Jacob Gillette, senior Studio Art major, any chance to create three-dimensional images is an exciting opportunity.

“I prefer creating 3D over drawing 2D images,” Gillette said.

The workshop will run all day Thursday and into Friday, Oct. 12. On the second day, those attending will get the opportunity to try the techniques out for themselves.

There will be a public reception for Watkins Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Mary Moody Northern Hall Formal Art Gallery.

For more information about the workshop contact Professor Easley at [email protected].