Kids Holiday Pottery - HANDBUILDING
(+1 more date)(Private Dates Available)
Description
Kids Winter Holiday Pottery Class – Handbuilding with Clay
Duration: 90 minutes
Ages: 5+ years
Location: The Glass Workshop, Montsalvat, Eltham
From: $70 per child
Looking for a creative and fun school holiday activity for your child? This 90-minute winter workshop is the perfect hands-on clay experience for children aged 5 and up—set inside the magical surrounds of Montsalvat!
Under the guidance of our friendly and experienced tutors, children will learn the art of handbuilding—shaping and forming clay using traditional techniques like pinching, coiling, and sculpting. It’s a wonderful way for young makers to express themselves, get a little messy, and create something truly unique.
🧱 Included in the fee:
All clay, tools, and materials
Glaze firing for up to 3 pieces per child/parent
Studio time in our beautiful Glass Makers Workshop
👨👩👧 NEW: Parent + Child Tickets Available!
Parents can now join the fun and create alongside their child. Book a Parent + Child ticket for just $60 per person and enjoy a shared creative experience together.
Prefer to watch? Parents are welcome to observe from a distance, though please note that space in the studio is limited. If your child needs extra support staying focused, we kindly recommend accompanying them in class to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all.
🔥 Firing & Collection Details
Each child may have up to 3 pieces glaze fired by our studio team. You’ll be notified by email or SMS when their work is ready for collection—usually 3 to 4 weeks after the class, sometimes sooner. Pick-up is available Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm at Montsalvat Reception.
Extra pieces can be:
Taken home unfired (we'll provide newspaper), or
Glaze fired for an additional $15 for 3 extra pieces – payable via QR code on the day
If you’re travelling or unable to collect pieces, just email us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au to make alternate arrangements.
💬 Can’t Find a Date That Suits?
If the date you want is fully booked, please get in touch!
📧 claytalk@montsalvat.com.au – we may be able to open additional spots.
This joyful and tactile class is a beautiful way to encourage your child’s imagination and creativity these school holidays. We can’t wait to welcome you!
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.
Payment of class, course or workshop fees can only be made through our online portal at www.
By booking this class, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks involved in the firing process, including the possibility that not all pieces will survive. You also understand and agree that the outcome of your piece, including any potential imperfections or changes during firing, is beyond our control and part of the artistic process.
ACCESS
Clay Talk studio is 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 will receive an Information Kit which has instructions on how to access Clay Talk studio. Please read this before coming to class.
REFUNDS / ABSENCE / TRANSFERS/ CANCELLATION
- We do not offer refunds if you change your mind after you have made the booking. Please be sure you are able to commit to the class, course or workshop dates and times prior to booking.
- Transfers are done upon email request and subject to available spaces only. Failure to transfer successfully will mean receiving a credit note or being transferred to a later term of the same class.
- If you are unable to attend a class, please contact us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au on the day of your class. In exceptional circumstances, we can make alternative arrangements to compensate for lost class time.
- Retrospective requests (a request for a make-up from last term for example) for class make-ups are not accepted. We request you make contact via email or phone to Clay Talk as soon as you can’t make class so that we can make alternative arrangements for you.
- Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances such as insufficient enrolments or illness or for maintenance works. You will be notified prior to the class if cancellation of the class is deemed necessary, or if there will be another date scheduled, or if a pro-rata refund will be provided.
ILLNESS
If classes and workshops are cancelled due to illness of a tutor, and the inability to find a suitable replacement, Clay Talk will endeavour to provide rescheduled dates for classes and workshops.
In the event that students cannot attend the rescheduled classes, students must email claytalk@montsalvat.com.au 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 10%).
GIFT VOUCHERS
Gift vouchers are only available through our online portal www. Gift vouchers can be purchased for a minimum of $20 and are valid for 3 years from purchase.
Gift vouchers can 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.
FIRING OF WORK
Most workshops and classes include firing and glazing of a specific number of pieces. Check the workshop listing description on our online platform.
We take extreme care with your work however accidents do happen, and we are unable to guarantee fully that your work will be successfully fired. As ceramics is a fickle material to handle sometimes, breakages or cracks will sometimes happen. Clay Talk takes no responsibility for failure or breakage of work.
COLLECTION OF WORK
- Firing, glazing and packaging of your work takes approximately 2-4 weeks after your class/workshop.
- You will be notified by a written or digital notification, an email, or the Clay Talk Newsletter when your work is ready for collection.
- Clay Taster & Kids School Holiday programme students have 30 days to collect their pieces from the time they received notification of their pieces to be collected before uncollected works are repurposed elsewhere.
- Uncollected works, bisqued pieces, items on student shelf including tools and clay - unless the student notifies staff at Clay Talk that they wish to make alternative arrangements to collect their work - will not be guaranteed safe keeping or storage and will be re-purposed.
- EMAIL / SMS NOTIFICATIONS
- Clay Talk takes no responsibility for parents/students not receiving or seeing messages, emails or checking their spam/junk mail from Clay Talk/We Teach Me, regarding work collection.
What you will learn
- Sculpture & handbuilding techniques
What you will get
- An exciting and creative clay experience at the beautiful setting of Montsalvat
What to bring
- Apron
- Towel
What to wear
Casual / older clothes and covered or closed-in shoes - clay can get messy!
Appropriate for
School aged children 5+ looking to have fun and get creative!
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.
Your Teacher
Our Clay Talk teaching team is made up of passionate, highly skilled ceramicists who are not only certified with Working With Children Checks but are also actively engaged in postgraduate art studies or teaching in respected studios and schools across Melbourne. Each tutor brings their own creative perspective, artistic flair, and deep love of clay — nurturing young imaginations through thoughtful guidance and hands-on expertise.
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 claytalk@montsalvat.com.au 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 claytalk@montsalvat.com.au 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 clases.
- 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.
Hi Hannah,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We really appreciate your feedback as we continue to develop meaningful and fun kids programmes at Montsalvat.