1. Raku Today Raku has been westernized. The process is not the same process that was used in Japan The process used today involves a kiln that is fired until it reaches a certain temperature then the pieces are pulled out and put in reduction mode.

2. Western Raku http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=YmyXJQfdS gI&feature=related http://www.youtube.co m/watch?v=YmyXJQfdS gI&feature=related

3. Paul Soldner Developed what is known today as “American Raku” Started out as a pre-med student but after serving as a medic in World War two he came back with an interest in photography He then got a bachelors degree from Bluffton College.

4. Paul Soldner Paul then went to Univ. of Colorado in Boulder to get his Art Administration There he was introduced to ceramics He then taught for eight years before deciding to become a potter. He then earned his MFA at Los Angeles County Art Institute and was Peter Voulkos's first student

5. After graduating he taught at Scripps College He was also known for the “low temperature salt firings” His raku technique came about by chance after a demonstration on Japanese raku failed. Soldner realized that he was more interested in the technique of raku then the tradition of it. He continued to experiment with this technique which led to what is known as western raku today.