Upcoming Events

Raku-Fest at the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey

Saturday, October 23 & Sunday, October 24, 10 AM­–4 PM
Join us for Raku-Fest! Raku-Fest showcases a unique ceramic firing process in which red-hot ceramic pieces are transferred directly from the kiln into a container of combustible materials. The heat of the ceramic causes the materials to ignite, and the resulting smoke creates one-of-a-kind effects in the ceramic glaze. Led by raku veterans and Art Center Instructors Peter Syak and Lisette Bedoya, this is sure to be an unforgettable event!

Three Ways to Participate:

Option One: Drop-off Raku Firing
Do you have ceramic work already made that you want raku-fired? Our talented instructors will fire them during the event. Register in advance, then drop off your piece(s) at the Art Center by Thursday, October 21. Pieces must have your name or mark and should be boxed and clearly labeled with your name.
$20 per piece. Note: to ensure proper firing, pieces must be made with raku clay purchased from the Art Center. Maximum dimensions of about 12 x 12 x 8 inches per piece. Students do not need to attend and will be contacted following the event regarding pickup. If you wish to attend the event, please also register for admission.

Option Two: Attend the Event—advance registration required
A socially distanced audience can watch the action live as multiple raku firings take place throughout the day. To limit capacity, admission is available for either morning (10 AM–12:30 PM) or afternoon (1:30­–4 PM) on both days. Attendees may arrive any time during their time window. Walk-ins on the day of the event will be available only if capacity allows.
$5 per person admission fee. Children 17 & under are free but must be accompanied by a paying adult. Please enter the number of children attending during registration. 

Option Three: Attend the Event & Glaze Items for Purchase—advance registration required
An assortment of pre-made ceramic pieces will be available for purchase for participants to glaze and have fired during the event. If you choose to glaze an item, your $5 admission fee will be deducted from the cost of the item. Items available for purchase and glazing include jewelry pieces, plates, and pots of varying sizes. Walk-ins on the day of the event will be available only if capacity allows. Click the links below to register.

Register Here:

Saturday, Morning Session
Saturday, Afternoon Session
Sunday, Morning Session
Sunday, Afternoon Session
Drop off Firing