Raku Firing Workshop

Time: 10.00am - 1.00pm

Raku firing is SO addictive and fun! This 3-hour class is about choosing your pot (or you can bring one bisqued piece - details below) and learning the art of Raku Firing!

**NDIS is now available under "Request Private Date & Time"** This function is still developing with We Teach Me and any questions or need assistance how this function works please email us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au

What is Raku Firing?

Raku firing is an ancient Japanese ceramics technique that has been used for many centuries to create a very unique finish to wares. The Raku technique dates back to the 16th century, traditionally crafted by hand and not thrown on a potter's wheel.

The Raku technique is essentially when glazed ceramics are taken from the kiln while they are still glowing red hot and are then placed in a material that would be able to catch fire, such as sawdust or newspaper. This technique is used to starve the piece of oxygen, which creates a myriad of colors within the glaze. Raku firing without glaze on them means that the oxygen is taken from the clay itself rather than a glaze, which results in some areas having a matte black colouring. 

Raku firing creates completely unique pieces as there is never a certainty as to how the final piece will turn out. Raku essentially creates a unique design every time, so there is less control on the outcome.

Starting at 10am you will be:

* offered 2 bisqued pieces to glaze - or you can bring your own bisqued pieces not taller than 30cm and wider than 15cm. 

* offered raku glazes and colourants to decorate or paint your piece in

* put your pot into the kiln

* while waiting for the pieces to fire to temperature, to paint another pot while the first pot you painted/glazed is firing.

* smoke reduce your pot in metal bins

* finish up at 1pm

Tracey Marsten, one Clay Talk's most popular and experienced teachers, will be running this workshop and guiding you through the principles of Raku glazing, firing and making. Tracey will be handling the firing of the kiln. Students will not be handling the pots to the post reduction bins.

Our Raku Firing class sizes will be limited to 5 people only. 

Clay Talk Ceramic Centre’s spacious and beautifully designed ceramic studio is a great space to tap into your creativity.

Your workshop fee covers:

* Raku glazes

* Use of the Raku kiln and post reduction bins

* Firing 2 pieces 

What you must bring:

* fully covered shoes and sleeved shirts

* Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses & water bottle

* Optional - face mask if allergic to smoke

We will provide:

* Heat gloves

* Bisqued pots for decorating

THIS WORKSHOP IS HELD OUTDOORS

THIS WORKSHOP WILL BE CANCELLED due to inclement weather, total fire bans, extreme heat temperatures or less than 4 people attending. Notice of cancelations will be dependent on conditions at the time and may be given as late as the morning of the workshop. Credit notes and transfers will be issued before considering full refunds if the session is cancelled.

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.

• EMAIL / SMS NOTIFICATIONS
• Clay Talk takes no responsibility for students not reading or checking their messages, emails or checking their spam/junk mail regarding schedules or 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.