Sandwiches and Raku

We visited the Visual Arts Center for First Fridays and learned a bit about the art of Raku pottery. We selected a bisque pot or bowl, dipped it in a glaze, let it dry, and loaded it into a kiln.

While the kiln was firing, we strolled up to Olio to have dinner. A Secco-Bertani Valpoicello Ripasso accompanied a couple of yummy sandwiches - a Sicilian - hot soprasatta, capocolla ham, and provolone with hot cherry peppers on ciabatta and a Proscuitto di Parma with fresh mozzarella, basil, greens, red pepper, olive oil and balsamic on ciabatta.

Sicilian with Black Bean and Corn Salad

Parma di Proscuitto with Tuscan White Bean Salad

After eating we returned to the art center for the real show - opening the kiln and cooling the pots.

Opening the Kiln

Transferring glowing pots to metal cans, then trowing sawdust over the pot and closing the lid so the pots can cool.

As the pots cool, they produce a lot of smoke.

It only takes about 15 minutes for the pots to cool.

As the pots cool, the glaze produces a crackled effect. We then cleaned them up with water and comet scrub and took them home!

Lots of fun for a Friday evening.