Raku pottery event in La Canada Flintridge April 1

On Friday, April 1 from 7-9 P.M., Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse hosts a presentation and book signing by three ceramists selected for inclusion in RAKU 500: Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique (a Larks Crafts publication by Ray Hemachandra and juried by Jim Romberg). Miriam Balcazar, Reid Takahashi, and Maryke Brannin discuss their artistic process and the work of theirs featured in the book.

RAKU 500 is the latest release in Lark’s well-reviewed juried 500 series, which includes other titles such as 500 Vases, 500 Ceramic Sculptures, and 500 Tiles. RAKU 500 received more than 1,200 submissions from all over the world, from which leading practitioner and teacher of raku, Jim Romberg, made the ultimate selection. The book presents a vast range of work from contemporary to traditional – teapots, bowls, vases, sculpture, wall pieces, figurative, abstract and everything in between.

Miriam Balcazar is the Ceramics Department Director at The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge. She enjoys throwing, extruding, hand building and any combination of those techniques. She started out as a textile designer in her native country of Spain and began formal ceramics instruction when she moved to the United States. She has exhibited throughout southern California and lives in Valley Glen.

Reid Takahashi started making pottery four years ago, after retiring as an engineering consultant to Disney, Universal Studios, and other theme park companies. From an early age and throughout his life, Reid has enjoyed designing and making things, so the decision to become involved in ceramics was an easy one.

Reid has actively pursued a number of techniques in addition to conventional stoneware pottery, including raku and pit-fired pottery, extrusions, and ceramic sculpture. Takahashi lives in Glendale.

Maryke Brannin is a former student at The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge and a local exhibiting artist.

Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is pleased to present this program honoring Balcazar, Takahashi, and Brannin, all of whom are affiliated with The Community Center of La Canada Flintridge, just across the street from the bookstore. In addition to the signing of RAKU 500 and informal talk the evening of April 1, a selection of pieces by the artists remains on view at the store through the middle of the month.

For more information, call (818) 790-0717. Flintridge Bookstore and Coffeehouse is located at 1010 Foothill Blvd., La Canada Flintridge CA 91011, at the intersection of Foothill Blvd. and the Angeles Crest Highway. Take the Angeles Crest exit off the 210, turn south, make a right onto Foothill Blvd., and turn left onto Chevy Chase. Parking is in the rear of the store.