Wood Firing at Montsalvat

Anagama Wood Firing at Clay Talk – Workshops & Kiln Access

** Aaron Scythe Woodfiring Workshop September 28-October 3rd** Unlimited bisqued pieces per person that fits inside a milk crate(35cm x 35cm x35cm in volume) -OR- 1 x maximum 50cmW x 50cmL x 50cmH bisqued piece. Packing September 28 & September 29. Firing September 30th - October 3rd.

Location: Clay Talk Ceramic Centre, Montsalvat, Eltham Facilitator: Sergei Shatrov

This listing is for those wanting to:

• Learn the art of wood firing through hands-on workshops

• Or participate by placing your ceramic pieces into the Clay Talk Anagama Kiln

Why Wood Firing?

Wood firing is one of the oldest and most revered ceramic firing techniques. The process brings a unique richness, depth, and unpredictability to the final surface, shaped by the interplay of flame, ash, and time.

Artists working with wood firing develop a deep understanding of clay bodies, kiln dynamics, and the transformative beauty of atmospheric firing. Each vessel emerges as a one-of-a-kind record of fire, process, and patience—a soulful expression of elemental craft.

The Anagama Kiln Story

The Clay Talk Anagama Kiln is the result of a six-month community build led by Arts & Education Manager Sergei Shatrov. With the help of 85 participants, over 800 hours of volunteer labour, and generous donations, this ambitious project brought a traditional cross-draft Japanese-style kiln to life in the grounds of Montsalvat.

This kiln is now a centrepiece of Clay Talk’s educational and artistic programming—offering both workshops and firing opportunities throughout the year.

Firing Schedules & Access

Firing formats will vary throughout the year and may include:

• Specialist wood firing workshops with guest or lead artists

• Access to kiln space for bisqued pieces (firing only, no workshop participation)

Please refer to individual session details for specific dates, structures, and inclusions.

How Many Pieces Can I Fire?

Due to limited kiln space, we offer two pricing structures based on size:

Option 1:

• Milk crate - as many bisqued pieces in that volume limit

• Up to: 35cm (H) x 35cm (W) x 35cm (L)

• Price: $99 per volume crate

Option 2:

• One large piece

• Up to: 50cm (H) x 50cm (W) x 50cm (D) - nothing larger will be accepted.

• Price: $99

Please ensure pieces are bisque fired and suitable for high-temperature wood firing.

Participation vs. Drop-Off Only

If you are joining a workshop, your booking includes full participation in the process—this means assisting with kiln packing, firing, and unpacking. You’ll be involved hands-on, including helping with aspects of the wood firing itself.

If you are dropping off pieces only, you are welcome (but not obliged) to attend during the firing schedule to observe or lend a hand. However, your participation is not required.

Please note: Collection of finished pieces must occur at the time of unpacking. Any work not collected within 7 days of the scheduled unpacking may be disposed of or sold at Clay Talk’s discretion to recover handling and storage costs.

Questions About Wood Firing?

Email Sergei directly: claytalk@montsalvat.com.au

About Sergei Shatrov

With over 31 years of experience, Sergei is a passionate ceramic artist, wood firer, and educator. He has studied across NSW TAFE systems and at the Australian National University’s School of Art, before travelling extensively in Japan and the USA to refine his knowledge.

Born in Sydney to Ukrainian-Russian heritage, Sergei now lives in Melbourne and is the Lead Artist & Coordinator at Clay Talk Ceramic Centre. His knowledge, generosity, and lifelong dedication to clay make every session both inspiring and deeply enriching.

Important Notes – Please Read Before Booking

Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel or postpone the workshop if:

• The minimum number of bookings is not reached 7 days prior to the start date of a workshop

• A health directive requires isolation prior to or during the workshop

• There is a sudden change in fire danger conditions or advice from authorities

In the event of postponement due to fire danger or weather conditions, the workshop will be rescheduled—likely in Autumn (March/April).

Upon booking, please ensure you have read Clay Talk’s Terms & Conditions and Conditions of Entry.

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.

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. Clay Talk takes no responsibility for failure or breakage of work.

Term classes:

Firing of 2.5kg of finished work per student is included in the term class fee.

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 could mean losing your pieces.

If a kiln shelf is badly damaged from your work due to materials brought to Clay Talk from elsewhere, you will be charged for the cost of replacing that shelf.

Incorrect glazing or wrong clay body type in the wrong firing type will incur a penalty fee for damages.

• If your work damages the interior walls, burners or elements of the kiln, you will be required to pay for the damage to be determined by the Clay Talk Studio Manager.

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.
• Non-returning term student work must be collected on the last Friday before term classes begin.
• Non-returning term students must talk with their teachers to understand the process of collecting their work and clearing student shelf items on the last day of their class. 
• 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 students not reading or checking their messages, emails or checking their spam/junk mail regarding work collection.