Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding
Clay Taster Handbuilding

Clay Taster Handbuilding


Clay Taster: Handbuilding in Clay – One-Day Class

Not everything has to be made on the pottery wheel! Discover the timeless art of handbuilding in clay with this creative and hands-on 2.5-hour taster class.

In this relaxed and welcoming session, you’ll learn simple but effective handbuilding techniques — from pinching and coiling to sculpting and joining — that allow you to shape clay into expressive forms and functional pieces without the wheel. It’s a wonderful way to connect your hands directly to the material, explore new processes, and let your imagination guide you.

Perfect for beginners or anyone curious about clay, this class is also a fantastic way to enjoy some “clay therapy.” Bring a friend (or two!) and share the fun of making, experimenting, and getting a little muddy while creating something uniquely yours.

What you’ll gain:

  • A fun and accessible introduction to handbuilding

  • Practical skills in clay sculpting techniques

  • Keep up to 3 of your own handmade clay creations

  • A memorable creative experience in Montsalvat’s inspiring studio environment

🗓️ When: Saturdays, 10:30am – 1:00pm

🎟️ Duration: 2.5 hours

👩‍👩‍👧 Who it’s for: Teenagers & Adults & beginners welcome 13 years+

📍 Where: Clay Talk Studio, Montsalvat


After Your Workshop

Our tutor will trim and prepare your pieces for firing. Our kiln technician will then bisque fire them, glaze with food-safe finishes, and re-fire before carefully packaging them for collection.

Your 3 finished pieces will be ready at Montsalvat Reception within 3–4 weeks. You’ll be notified by email once they’re ready.

Terms & Conditions

  • Bookings: Full payment is required at the time of booking via our online portal:

  • Access: Clay Talk is located on the Montsalvat grounds. Your booking confirmation will include an Information Kit with studio access details.

  • Refunds & Transfers: No refunds for change of mind. Transfers are possible by email request and subject to availability. If you cannot attend, please email [email protected] before your class. Retrospective make-up requests are not accepted. Clay Talk may cancel classes due to low enrolments, illness, or maintenance; alternative dates or pro-rata refunds will be offered.

  • Illness: If tutors are unwell and no replacement is available, classes will be rescheduled. Students unable to attend rescheduled dates may receive a credit note or pro-rata refund (minus a 10% admin fee).

  • Gift Vouchers: Available online, valid for 3 years, and redeemable for Clay Talk classes and workshops.

Firing of Work

  • Each Clay Taster allows up to 3 pieces per person for glaze firing.

  • Up to 2 extra pieces may be fired for an additional fee (payable via QR code with tutor assistance).

  • While we take great care, breakages and firing flaws do occur; Clay Talk cannot guarantee outcomes.

Collection of Work

  • Firing and glazing takes 2–4 weeks. You’ll be notified by email, SMS, or newsletter when pieces are ready.

  • Clay Taster & Kids Holiday Program participants have 30 days to collect their work after notification. Uncollected pieces will be repurposed.

  • Clay Talk takes no responsibility for missed notifications or unchecked emails/spam folders.


Details
2 hours 30 minutes

You will learn

  • How to prepare your clay, hand-build, coil, adapt and sculpt your creation!
  • 2.5 hour workshop

You will get

  • The art & beauty of clay!
  • maximum 3 pieces to be kept for firing & glazing

Appropriate for

Anyone interested in trying ceramics. You may have never touched clay before or be looking to see if you're ready to get back into it.


Preparation

What to bring

  • Towel
  • Apron
  • Closed-in shoes

What to wear

Casual / older clothes and covered or closed-in shoes - clay can get messy!


Your Teacher
Montsalvat Arts Education

Montsalvat Arts Education

1074 reviews

Nestled within Montsalvat—Australia’s oldest continuously active artists' community—our studios offer a diverse range of creative outlets. Clay Talk is one of several studios, providing ceramics classes in wheel throwing and hand building for all levels, alongside specialised programs led by established artists. 


In addition to ceramics, we also offer classes in drawing, painting, and mosaic, with an expanded repertoire of educational offerings planned for 2025. This dynamic environment supports learners across various disciplines, all within the inspiring setting of Montsalvat, where art is created, taught, exhibited, and experienced.


Terms

Cancellations & Refunds

If the organiser cancels the class:

You are entitled to a transfer or credit note.

If you can't attend the class:

You’re welcome to send someone in your place.

OR

You may cancel anytime before class starts and claim a full refund or transfer or credit note.

We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.

Terms & Conditions

TERMS & CONDITIONS

To secure your place in a class, course or workshop we require full payment at the time of booking.

Bookings are only accepted through our online portal at www.claytalk.weteachme.com/.

Payment of class, course or workshop fees can only be made through our online portal at  www.claytalk.weteachme.com/.


ACCESS TO CLAY TALK & OTHER ART CLASSES

Clay Talk studio is the centre for organising all art courses located on the grounds of Montsalvat. For this reason there are security measures in place to prevent trespassing and maintain your safety. Upon booking you should receive an Information Kit which has instructions on how to access Clay Talk studio or other art studio spaces that pertains to your class.


REFUNDS / ABSENCE / TRANSFERS

  • We DO NOT automatically offer refunds or transfers if you change your mind after you have made the booking
  • Our first option will always be to offer a credit note. 
  • Please be sure you are able to commit to the class, course or workshop dates and times prior to booking.
  • If your circumstances have changed BEFORE the class or term starts and cannot commit, we will offer you a refund MINUS the 8% transfer fees incurred to process this of total cost you paid.
  • We might be able to offer alternative arrangements if you cannot attend class by contacting us at [email protected] to check if you are eligible  within 5 working days of missing your class . Retrospective requests will not be accepted. Studio Access times are NOT make-up classes.
  • Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances such as insufficient enrolments. You will be notified prior to the class if cancellation of the class is deemed necessary and a pro-rata refund will be provided.


ILLNESS

In the event that students cannot attend the classes, students must email [email protected] as soon as possible prior to the commencement of the rescheduled class or workshop. If a student is unable to attend the rescheduled classes or workshop Clay Talk may, at its absolute discretion, provide either a credit note or a pro-rata refund (minus an administration fee of 8%).

 

GIFT VOUCHERS

Gift vouchers are only available through our online portal www.claytalk.weteachme.com/. Gift vouchers can be purchased for a minimum of $20 and are valid for 3 years from purchase. Gift vouchers can be only be used for booking classes, courses and/or workshops at Clay Talk through our online portal. Gift vouchers can be applied at check out when booking a class, course or workshop. Purchased Gift Vouchers through Clay Talk, Montsalvat and We Teach Me cannot be exchanged for cash in return and can only be used to the value of the courses and experiences on offer for the benefit of your artistic pursuit and happiness.


FIRING OF WORK AT CLAY TALK ONLY

Most workshops include firing and glazing of a specific number of pieces. Check the workshop listing description on our online platform. Students participating in one-off workshops must label their pieces with the name associated with their booking/ticket.

We take extreme care with your work but accidents do happen and we are unable to guarantee that your work will be successfully fired. Clay Talk takes no responsibility for failure or breakage of work. 


Ceramic term classes specific to CLAY TALK:

  • Firing of 3kg of finished work per student is included in the term class fee for most classes.
  • Students can make and fire more work over this limit however additional charges apply.
  • Students must label each of their pieces with their Makers Mark (your Makers Mark is made up of the initials of your first, middle & last name and your class code e.g. John Adam Smith = JAS). No Makers Mark will mean your work will not be fired.

If a kiln shelf is badly damaged from your work due to incorrect glaze type or clay body, you will be charged for the cost of replacing that shelf.

  • If your work damages the interior of the kiln, you will be required to pay a fine based on the severity of the damage to be determined by the Clay Talk Studio Coordinator.


COLLECTION OF WORK

  • Firing, glazing and packaging of your work takes approximately 2-4 weeks after your class/workshop.
  • You will be notified by email when your work is ready for collection.
  • Student work must be collected within 1 month of being notified. Students will be notified by email to the email address provided upon booking.  If fired work, leftover clay and/or tools are not collected within this time it will be disposed of or donated to Clay Talk Fundraising.

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