Wood Firing at Montsalvat

This is a 6 day journey into making and firing pots for the wood fire kiln with Sergei Shatrov.

Strap yourselves in for this amazing ride as Sergei takes you into the addictive and infinite world of firing ceramics by wood.

Why wood firing?

Wood firing is a time-honoured method that adds depth and character to ceramic artistry. Through this ancient process, artisans explore the nuances of clay bodies, observe the alchemical interplay of ash during firing, and master the intricate mechanics of a wood firing cross draft kiln. From refining pottery techniques to crafting vessels tailored for the kiln's embrace, each step embodies a harmonious blend of craftsmanship and elemental beauty, yielding exquisite pieces that resonates with the soul.

The schedule

1st Day - Saturday 29th June 10:30am-3:30pm

• 10am -11am:  Introduction & Presentation along with tea, coffee & biscuits
• 11am-12pm: Demonstrations by Sergei
• 12pm-1pm: Lunch
• 1pm-3:30pm: Making your own work

2nd Day - Sunday 30th June 10:30am-3:30pm

• 10am - 11am: Trimming, joining & slip demonstrations by Sergei
• 11am- 11:30am: Morning tea break
• 11:30am-12:30pm: students complete their pieces
• 12:30pm-1:30pm: lunch
• 1:30pm-3:30pm: finish work

3rd Day - Friday 5th July 10:30am - 3:30pm

• Kiln Packing

4th & 5th Days - Saturday 6th from 10am & Sunday 7th till 12pm

• From 10am Saturday 6th, fire kiln during day and finishing Sunday midday.

6th Day - Saturday 10:30am -12:30pm kiln opening

* unpack kiln, discuss results 

Cost

LIMITED TIME OFFER OF ONLY $700/person for 45 hours of making, packing, woodfiring and unpacking.

Do you have to be a wheel throwing pottery to attend this workshop?

While this is a predominantly a wheel throwing course there are aspects of handbuilding in it too. You do require to have basic centering and turning abilities as this workshop will NOT be focusing on any of these beginner aspects.

How many pieces can be put in the wood firing?

Space within the kiln for packing is limited, typically allowing around 5 pieces per person, depending on their size and scale. It's important to note that not all your pieces may fit into the firing. For instance, if you create one large piece, approximately 40cm high, it will typically occupy the entire space allotted to you. Conversely, if you craft pieces of mug height, you can maximise the allocation with up to 5 pieces. Should you opt to glaze your pieces for an electric kiln firing, there will be an extra charge of $15 per kilogram for the firing. It's worth mentioning that the course fee covers firings exclusively for the wood firing kiln, thus an additional fee is necessary for firing any extra pieces using kilns other than the woodfire kiln.

What you get?

* FREE 10kg of stoneware clay body (more clay will be available if you need but at extra cost at around $25 per bag)

*5 of your best pieces bisque fired for the wood firing - please see note above

* Notes for woodfiring including recipes and slip recipes

*wadding material

*slips and glazes for your pots

*access to tools & pottery wheels in the studio

*the experience of firing with wood

*beautiful wood fired ceramics when you unpack the kiln

* Tea, biscuits, coffee & milk

What can effect or potentially pause a wood firing?

*bushfire season or fire danger period - please read below

*covid/illness

*very bad wet weather - although the kiln at Montsalvat is mostly under shelter

What the cost doesnt cover?

* lunches or dinner. Highly recommend to bring a packed lunch. Cafes are nearby to Clay Talk such as ZenDen. Unfortunately no food facilities at Montsalvat currently.

* Any extra pieces for the wood kiln beyond the 5 best allocated

Questions about the woodfiring?

Write to Sergei at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au

About Sergei

Sergei Shatrov's passion with clay, firing wood kilns and leading a potters way of life has gone on for 31 years. Having travelled internationally to visit artists and learn from their ways, Sergei has a kind of knowledge and experience that you will surely enjoy and will invigorate your art of making in clay. Sergei trained in NSW Tafe systems in studio ceramics before going onto the Canberra School of Art at the Australian National University and then travelling overseas to Japan and the USA to take his knowledge to a whole new level. Sergei was born in Sydney to Ukrainian-Russian heritage and today lives with his family in Melbourne as well as being the lead artist and coordinator for Clay Talk Ceramic Centre at Montsalvat, Eltham.

PLEASE READ BELOW:

Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel the workshop:

• if a minimum number of people have not booked 7 days before the workshop. 
• If there is a health order directive to isolate prior to or during the workshop.
• with a sudden change in fire danger warnings or a dangerous fire weather system - if the workshop is cancelled due to fire danger period or from the advise of fire authorities, Clay Talk will POSTPONE the workshop and commence or reconvene in autumn/fall 2023 i.e. March/April

Upon booking please pay attention to Clay Talk Terms and 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.

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.