The Art of the Chawan with Euan Craig
🌟 Exclusive 1-Day The Art of the Chawan with Euan Craig 🌟
Ever wanted to throw and turn a tea bowl the way they do in Japan? This is a rare opportunity to learn the process firsthand.
Join Australian-born, Japan-based ceramic artist Euan Craig for a special one-day Chawan (Japanese tea bowl) masterclass. In this intimate workshop, Euan will guide participants through the philosophy, form, and subtle techniques behind creating the traditional tea bowl central to Japanese tea culture.
Drawing on decades of experience living and working in Mashiko, and his training within the Mingei tradition, Euan will demonstrate practical methods while sharing the deeper thinking that shapes his work. Participants will explore proportion, gesture, trimming, and expressive surface while forming their own Chawan bowls.
This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from an internationally respected ceramic artist.
Places strictly limited to 10 participants. 🍶
📅 Workshop Details
Date: Monday 20 April
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Clay Talk Ceramic Centre @ Montsalvat 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham VIC 3095
This workshop follows the “Two for Tea” talk and tea ceremony demonstration with Veronica Taylor at the Malvern Artists Society / Skepi Gallery on the afternoon of Sunday 19 April.
This workshop also ties in with Euan's show "Essence of Clay" alongside John Dermer at Skepsi Gallery, Malvern, April 17 to April 25, 2026
🎯 What You’ll Learn
• The art and philosophy of the Chawan tea bowl
• Traditional Japanese throwing and trimming techniques
• Understanding clay, form, surface, and the tactile qualities of a true Chawan
🛠 Materials & What’s Provided
• Complimentary bag of stoneware clay
• Full use of studio wheels and pottery tools
• Tea, coffee, and biscuits
• Aprons and towels provided (or BYO)
IMPORTANT - Please bring own lunch as Montsalvat cafe will NOT be open. Nearest good coffee shop is Zen Den 36 Main Rd, Eltham VIC 3095
🔥 Firing Information
• Bisque firing included – FREE
• Glaze firing: $15/kg (pieces weighed and paid prior to glaze firing via QR code in the studio)
🎁 Complimentary Studio Access
Participants will receive one free Studio Access session (Friday or Sunday) after the workshop via an email from We Teach Me with a booking code and link to return to Clay Talk to finish, trim, or glaze their Chawan bowls.
⚠️ Important Notes
• This is a wheel-focused workshop• Not suitable for beginners — participants should be comfortable with centering and basic throwing• Maximum class size: 10 participants for plenty of individual guidance
If class numbers are insufficient 5 days prior, Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel and offer a transfer, credit note, or refund (minus admin fee).
💡 Why Learn at Clay Talk?
Clay Talk is a beautifully designed ceramics studio located within the historic Montsalvat arts precinct. With small class sizes and passionate tutors, it offers an inspiring and supportive environment for developing ceramic skills and creative expression.
Terms & Conditions (Summary)
• Full payment required at time of booking via: www. No refunds for change of mind. Transfers or credits may be offered for illness or exceptional circumstances.• Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel due to illness, insufficient enrolments, or maintenance. Alternative dates, credits, or pro-rata refunds will be offered.• Gift vouchers available online (valid for 3 years).
✨ Don’t miss this chance to work closely with Euan Craig and deepen your pottery practice.
👉 Book now — spaces are strictly limited.
Details
You will learn
- Larger wheel formed techniques
- surface treatment, textures, nature inspired patterns into the clay
- Elevate your throwing and handbuilding skills
You will get
- FREE 10kg of any stoneware clay
Appropriate for
Anyone interested in pushing their boundaries to new levels and insights
Preparation
What to bring
- Towel & Apron
- Your own favourite pottery tools - we have free tools and tool kits for purchasing if needed
What to wear
Casual / older clothes and closed-in shoes
Your Teacher
Biography
Euan Craig, born 1964 in Melbourne Australia, grew up in the historic pottery town of Bendigo in Central Victoria. Due to family illness, his own asthma and wide exposure to the disabled, from an early age Euan addressed questions of existence and social values. As a result, at the age of fourteen he chose Pottery as a career path, not because of what he wanted to do, but because of who he wanted to be. While working part time at local potteries to earn tuition fees, he pursued an education in pottery, finally graduating from the Latrobe University with a BA in Ceramic Design in 1985. Three days after graduation he opened his first Studio Pottery in the Northern Victorian town of Swan Hill.
Influenced by the “Mingei” philosophy from his early career, in particular the healthy and natural beauty of functional art and the life style of potters like Shoji Hamada, Euan sold his pottery in Swan Hill to take up a position as production manager in a pottery in Mashiko, Japan in 1990. During that year he studied Japanese language intensively in his private time. In 1991 he was accepted as an apprentice “Deshi” by Tatsuzo Shimaoka, National Living Treasure. His time there studying the traditional process and the heart of Mingei has influenced his work philosophy ever since. After graduating from Shimaoka’s in 1992, he rented studios in Mashiko until establishing his own pottery there in 1994.
Dedicated to a wholesome and environmentally responsible lifestyle and work process, he developed a 1 cubic metre fast fire “eco” wood kiln practical for a single person production pottery. In 2000 he moved his home and studio to a traditional farmhouse in the neighbouring town of Ichikai, where he lived with his wife and four children until the earthquake and nuclear disaster of 2011. He has now established a new studio and earthquake resistant kiln in a 140 year old farm house in Minakami, Japan.
Euan has held numerous solo and group exhibitions, taught workshops and summer schools and presented at art conferences and forums in Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and Denmark. He has also written and been featured in many articles for magazines, newspapers, radio and television in Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. He is a member of the Japan Mingei Association and is recognized internationally as a master of Mashiko Mingei.
Organized by
Montsalvat Arts Education
1145 reviewsNestled 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.
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
These Terms and Conditions apply to all Clay Talk programs, including term classes, workshops, short courses, and special events such as the Fire & Clay Festival.
Bookings & Payments
Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your place.
All bookings must be made through our online portal:www.claytalk.weteachme.com
Payments are accepted exclusively through this platform.
Places are limited and cannot be held without payment.
Access to Clay Talk & Other Art Studios
Clay Talk coordinates all art programs located on the grounds of Montsalvat. For safety and security, access is restricted to enrolled participants.
Upon booking, you will receive an Information Kit outlining access procedures.
Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure safe entry to studio spaces relevant to your program.
Refunds, Absences & Transfers
We do not offer refunds for change of mind after booking.
Transfers may be requested, subject to availability and approval.
Please ensure you can commit to the scheduled dates and times before booking.
Refund Requests (Before Program Commencement)
If your circumstances change prior to commencement, you may request a refund, which may be approved at our discretion and will incur an 4% administration fee deducted from your refund amount.
Missed Classes or Sessions
Requests for alternative arrangements must be made within five (5) working days of a missed session by emailing:claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
Retrospective requests will not be accepted.
Studio access sessions are not considered make-up classes.
Cancellation by Clay Talk
Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel programs due to unforeseen circumstances, including insufficient enrolments. In such cases, participants will be notified and provided with a pro-rata refund.
Illness & Medical Absence
If you are unable to attend due to illness:
Please notify us as soon as possible by emailing:claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
Where applicable, alternative arrangements, credit, or a pro-rata refund (less an 8% administration fee) may be offered at our discretion.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available exclusively through:www.claytalk.weteachme.com
Minimum value: $20
Valid for three (3) years from purchase
Redeemable only for Clay Talk programs via the online portal
Not redeemable for cash and non-transferable
Gift vouchers are intended to support your creative learning and artistic development.
Firing of Work – Clay Talk Term Classes Only
Many workshops and classes include firing and glazing of a specified number of pieces. Please refer to individual course listings for details.
General Requirements
All work must be clearly labelled with the name used for booking.
We take great care with all work; however, ceramics involves inherent risks.
Clay Talk cannot guarantee successful firing outcomes and accepts no liability for breakage, cracking, or firing faults.
Term Classes – Firing Conditions
For most term classes:
Up to 10kg of finished work per student is included in fees
Additional firing will incur extra charges
All pieces must be labelled with your Maker’s Mark(Initials + Class Code, e.g. John Adam Smith = JAS)
Unmarked work will not be fired.
Damage
Damage caused by inappropriate clay bodies or glazes may result in replacement costs for kiln shelves.
Significant kiln damage may incur additional repair fees, assessed by the Studio Coordinator.
Fire & Clay Festival – Work & Firings
For Fire & Clay Festival participants:
Firing allocations and work limits are outlined in your festival registration pack.
All work must be labelled clearly and handled in accordance with staff instructions.
Due to the experimental nature of atmospheric and wood firings, outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Collection of Work
Processing, firing, glazing, and packaging typically takes 2–4 weeks after program completion.
You will be notified by email when work is ready for collection.
Work must be collected within one (1) month of notification.
Uncollected work, materials, or tools may be disposed of or donated to Clay Talk fundraising initiatives after this period.
Contact
For all enquiries relating to bookings, attendance, or policies, please contact:
📧 claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
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