A Message from Clay Talk Ceramic Centre:
To help protect the community and staff at Clay Talk, any patrons with cold, flu or Covid like symptoms are kindly requested to email us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au and reschedule their class or workshop at a future date. Masks are NOT mandatory however if you have had any recent symptoms or have close affiliations with others unwell around you, we kindly request you to consider wearing a mask in class.
Raku Firing Workshop
AU$125.00

Raku Firing Workshop

3 hour Raku Firing Session

Next Available: Sat, 25 May 10:00AM (AEST)
(+9 more dates)(Private Dates Available)
3 hours
Over 100 people have attended this class

Description

Dates:

10th and 24th February

9th and 23rd March

6th April

11th and 25th May

8th June

27th July

10th and 24th August

14th September

26th October

16th and 30th November

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 Hollis, 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

* Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses & water bottle

* Optional - face mask if allergic to smoke


We will provide:

* Heat gloves

* Bisqued pots for decorating


The workshop will be cancelled if there is any fire weather alerts or less than 4 people attending. 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.

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.
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What you will learn

  • Raku firing
  • Glazing your own piece
  • making some pots while waiting

What you will get

  • free bisqued pot
  • Use of wheels, tools, colourants and other equipment such as banding wheels (we also have basic tool kits available if you want to buy your own)
  • Choice of Raku glazes for technician to apply to your pieces after bisque firing

What to bring

  • Towel
  • Apron
  • Covered shoes

What to wear

Casual / old clothes - Covered or closed in shoes

Appropriate for

All potters interested in Raku firing!


Clay Talk Ceramic Centre

4.9
(634 Reviews)

The Clay Talk Ceramics Centre in Montsalvat is a ceramics facility located in the grounds of Montsalvat – Australia’s oldest continuously active artists’ community. The studio is an addition to Montsalvat’s already rich history as a place where art is made, taught, shown and experienced.

At Clay Talk, we aim to be a creative environment that brings students and practitioners together through education and skills-based programs. Currently we offer classes where you can learn wheel throwing and hand building at all stages of development supplemented by specialist programs and workshops taught by established artists.

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4.9 (35 reviews)
Pattirated it
18 Mar 2024
I enjoyed this class so much. The instructor was informative, encouraging and left lots of space for us to explore our own creativity. I was amazed by what I made. Thank you for a great experience.
Alexiarated it
17 Feb 2024
I received a Workshop voucher @Clay Talk Ceramic Centre as a birthday present. Originally I was going to book a pottery session but noticed a "Raku Firing Workshop" which sparked my interest as I hadn't seen anything like this before. Booking the workshop was a breeze, and when unforeseen circumstances forced me to reschedule multiple times, they were incredibly accommodating and understanding, making the process stress-free. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it to the workshop myself, but my sister (who gifted me the workshop) attended on my behalf. She had an absolutely amazing time & thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the workshop. She came back raving about the experience, describing how she crafted beautiful and unique pieces under the guidance of the talented instructors. She also expressed a desire to attend again in the future. Her enthusiasm and the quality of her creations speak volumes about the workshop's excellence. I highly recommend Clay Talk to anyone interested in exploring (or gifting) the art of Raku firing - I trust all their workshops will meet the same high standards. Their flexibility, professionalism, and the unforgettable experience they offer make them truly stand out. Thank you once again.
Fionarated it
10 Feb 2024
Such an informative and fun introduction to Raku! Tracey is a fantastic teacher and makes everyone feel welcome. If you have ever looked at Raku pieces and thought oooh that’s cool you should book a session . You won’t be disappointed!
+ See more reviews

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

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 should receive an Information Kit which has instructions on how to access Clay Talk studio.


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.


COVID

In the event of a lockdown or restrictions causing unavoidable or unforeseen interruption to the delivery of classes and workshops Clay Talk will endeavour to provide rescheduled classes and workshops.


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 10%).

 

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.


FIRING OF WORK 

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. 


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 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.




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