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TPG Workshop Series - 2 JoeFrank McKee Raku Workshops

The Triangle Potters Guild (TPG) is excited to welcome JoeFrank McKee to teach two separate Raku workshops over one weekend in October. Workshops will be held at Indigo Arts studio (Sarah Coppola's house) in SE Durham. Each workshop is limited to 10 participants and is first come first served. A main dish will be provided for lunch and we ask each participant to bring a side to share.

Please sign up below to reserve your spot and a Paypal invoice will be sent out by September 18. Payment will be required by September 25th to reserve your spot or we will move on to the waitlist. More info on what to bring, etc will be provided after signup.

Instructor: JoeFrank McKee is a long-time potter from the mountains of Sylva, North Carolina, specializing in functional stoneware and decorative Raku pottery. He is a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and participates in art shows across the country.

Professional and teaching experience: JoeFrank has taught pottery through Southwestern Community College’s Heritage Arts Program for approximately 20 years and helped establish the program. He has also taught Raku and throwing workshops and classes at venues including John C. Campbell Folk School. He was one of the original organizers of the Western North Carolina Pottery Festival, now in its 21st year, and his work is sold by galleries and gift shops throughout many states.

Workshops:

Regular Raku One-Day Workshop – Sat, Oct 17 – 10am until done (between 4 & 6pm)
  • $125 per person workshop fee for TPG members. $150 for non-members if spots remain after Sept 25th.
  • Open to 8-10 participants.
  • Participants may bring 2 pots each no larger than approximately 6×6 (see next statement)
  • The goal is for participants to have 2 finished pots to take home. Note – If there is extra time and/or kiln space then additional pots can certainly be fired (so please bring 3-4 if you'd like).
  • This day would be filled with teachings through various raku firing demonstrations and be all about low-fire processes and techniques.
  • Because of the volatile nature of these techniques, firing demonstrations are performed by JoeFrank.

Raku Copper Matte 1.5 Day Workshop – Fri, Oct 16 - 1pm until done, & Sunday, Oct 18 10am until done (between 4 & 6pm)
  • $200 workshop fee per person for TPG members. $225 for non-members if spots remain after Sept 25th.
  • Open to 8-10 participants.
  • Participants may bring 2 pots each no larger than approximately 6 × 6; (see next statement) DO NOT GLAZE in advance.
  • The goal is for participants to have 2 finished pots to take home. Note – If there is extra time and/or kiln space then additional pots can certainly be fired (so please bring 3-4 if you'd like).
  • Designed for demonstrations of copper-matt Raku, horsehair and other raku techniques. The extra day and a half provide time to spray copper matt glaze on participant pots and fire them overnight Friday & cool Saturday. Students will gain more knowledge by both watching and doing, helping to solidify their understanding of the techniques.
  • Safety instructions:
    • Closed-toe shoes are required.
    • Natural-fiber clothing covering arms and legs is strongly recommended.
    • Loose clothing, dangling jewelry, and unsecured long hair are prohibited near firing operations.
    • Use protective equipment as directed.
    • Do not handle hot pottery, kilns, reduction containers, or equipment without authorization.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Coppola
sarah@indigoartsnc.com
1.Full Name(Required.)
2.Are you a paid member of the Triangle Potters Guild for 2026/2027? If not, by becoming a member, you save $25 on this workshop. Membership is only $40 and you get access to many demos, workshops, books, community, and more which nets to only $15 for the membership with the $25 savings! We meet the first Tuesday of each month at Pullen Arts Center in Raleigh from September to May. https://trianglepotters.org/become-a-member/(Required.)
3.Phone Number:(Required.)
4.Email Address:(Required.)
5.What is your level of experience with pottery? (No wrong answers just getting a baseline!)(Required.)
6.Which workshop(s) are you signing up for?(Required.)
7.Sarah Coppola (Indigo Arts) will be offering pre-workshop studio time in her SE Durham studio for $80 per person for handbuilding only if anyone thinks they will have a hard time making/bisquing 2-4 pieces before the workshop. Timing is flexible - I can very easily accomodate 4-6 people and we can do a couple dates/times that work with people's schedules!

Includes:
- 12.5 lbs of raku clay
- Up to 4 hours of studio time with use of all of her pottery and texture tools (tons!), slab roller, etc
- Bisquing pieces made to 08 before the workshop

Are you interested in signing up for this? Payment/info will come separately from the workshop signup.(Required.)
8.Do you have any food restrictions/allergies?
9.MEDICAL FITNESS
I represent that I am physically capable of participating in the Workshop and have no condition that would make participation unsafe for myself or others.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION
If I become ill or injured and am unable to communicate, I authorize the Instructor/Organizer to obtain emergency medical treatment on my behalf.

I understand that I am solely responsible for any medical expenses, transportation costs, or related charges.

Emergency Contact - list name and phone number below
10.LIABILITY WAIVER

In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Raku Pottery Workshop ("Workshop") conducted by JoeFrank McKee at Indigo Arts LLC organized by Triangle Potters Guild ("Instructor/Organizer"), I acknowledge and agree as follows:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISKS
I understand that Raku pottery and ceramic firing activities involve inherent and significant risks that may result in property damage, serious injury, illness, disability, or death. These risks include, but are not limited to:

• Exposure to extreme heat, open flames, hot kilns, hot metal tools, and hot ceramic materials
• Burns from kilns, pottery, reduction chambers, tongs, tools, or other equipment
• Fire hazards associated with combustible materials and reduction containers
• Smoke inhalation and exposure to fumes, gases, dust, ash, glaze materials, chemicals, and airborne particles
• Cuts, punctures, and lacerations from broken pottery, tools, metal equipment, or sharp objects
• Slips, trips, falls, and other accidents occurring on workshop premises
• Equipment malfunction or operator error
• Allergic reactions to clay, glaze ingredients, smoke, or other materials
• Injuries caused by the actions or negligence of other participants
• Weather-related hazards associated with outdoor firing activities

I understand that this list is not exhaustive and that unknown or unforeseeable risks may also exist.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I knowingly, voluntarily, and expressly assume all risks associated with my participation in the Workshop, whether known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, including risks arising from the ordinary negligence of the Instructor/Organizer, employees, assistants, volunteers, property owners, or other participants.

I acknowledge that participation is entirely voluntary and that I may choose not to participate in any activity that I believe may be unsafe.

RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY
To the fullest extent permitted by law, I release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Instructor/Organizer, workshop assistants, volunteers, property owners, landlords, sponsors, affiliated organizations, employees, agents, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, expenses, attorney's fees, or liabilities arising out of or related to my participation in the Workshop.

This release includes claims arising from personal injury, illness, disability, death, property damage, or other losses, including those resulting from the ordinary negligence of any Released Party.

This release does not apply to gross negligence, reckless conduct, or intentional misconduct where prohibited by law.

AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW SAFETY RULES
I agree to comply with all written and verbal safety instructions above.

PROPERTY DAMAGE
I accept responsibility for any damage I cause through misuse, negligence, or failure to follow instructions and agree to reimburse the Instructor/Organizer for repair or replacement costs.

INDEMNIFICATION
I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claim, lawsuit, liability, damage, or expense arising from my actions, omissions, conduct, or participation in the Workshop.

SEVERABILITY
If any portion of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I certify that I am at least eighteen (18) years old and legally competent to sign this Agreement. I have carefully read this document, understand its contents, understand that I am giving up legal rights, and sign it freely and voluntarily. Type name below.