Special Offer
Anagama Kiln Workshops
(+7 more dates)
Description
Building the Future of Wood Firing at Montsalvat: The Anagama Kiln Project
We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter at Clay Talk, Montsalvat — the development and rebuild of a new Anagama Kiln, an integral part of our ceramics community.
This unique project offers participants the opportunity to engage in a collaborative kiln-building journey, culminating in the inaugural firing of the new kiln. It’s a hands-on, immersive experience for anyone passionate about ceramics and wood firing.
About the Build
Building an Anagama kiln is a meticulous and thoughtful process. This series of workshops spans two months, giving participants the time to plan, build, and come together as a community. With a "slow and steady" approach, we aim to ensure a well-constructed and lasting wood kiln, ready for firings starting in Autumn 2025 and beyond.
What You’ll Experience
Participants will be involved in every stage of the process, gaining hands-on skills and insights into kiln building and wood firing:
- Decommissioning the Old Kiln: Dismantling and cleaning bricks for reuse.
- Site Preparation: Clearing and minor landscaping to prepare the site.
- Foundation and Structure: Laying bricks, constructing the kiln walls, chimney, and arch.
- Personal Touch: Making bricks with your name on them, to be used in paving around the kiln area.
- Learning & Inspiration: Group discussions, presentations on other kiln builds, and studies of wood kiln pottery.
- Firing Preparation: Insight into crafting pots designed specifically for wood firing.
Schedule
Workshops will be held on Mondays, 10am–4pm:
- December 9: Site clean-up and dismantling the old kiln.
- December 16: Site preparation with excavator and brick cleaning.
- December 23: Continued site preparation and stacking bricks.
- December 30: Kiln design discussions and final site preparation.
- January 6 & 13: Foundation construction for the Anagama.
- January 20: Building walls, chimney, and arch formwork.
- February 3 & 10: Kiln structure completion and rendering.
- February 17 & 24: Landscaping and paving around the kiln site.
- March 1 & 2: Pot-making workshop with Sergei Shatrov, creating pieces for the inaugural firing (click on this link to book this workshop seperate to woodkiln build). Discount available for attendees to any woodkiln build session.
- Late March (TBC): Firing the completed kiln.
Your Guide
The project will be led by Sergei Shatrov, Manager of Clay Talk and an experienced wood-fire potter. Sergei brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this unique project, guiding participants every step of the way.
What to Bring
This project involves modest physical activity, including lifting bricks and moving materials. Participants are required to bring basic PPE:
- Steel-capped or fibreglasscapped boots
- Dust mask
- Eye protection
- Ear Muffs or Ear Plugs
- Gloves
- Hat and sun protection
The Grand Finale
Participants will have the opportunity to place one handmade pot from workshop/kiln build session into the completed Anagama kiln for its inaugural firing, guided by Sergei. This is your chance to be part of history while deepening your understanding of the art of wood firing.
Join Us
Be part of this transformative project and help shape the future of wood-fired ceramics at Montsalvat. Whether you’re an experienced potter or new to kiln building, this is an opportunity to learn, connect, and create in the inspiring surroundings of Montsalvat.
For more details please contact Clay Talk at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au. Spaces are limited, so secure your place today!
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.
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Refunds, Absences, Transfers, and Cancellations
Refunds: Refunds are not offered for change-of-mind cancellations after booking. Please ensure you are able to commit to the class, course, or workshop dates and times prior to booking.
- In extreme situations, such as ill health, we will consider providing a partial refund or credit note for missed classes. This is an exception and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Transfers: Transfers may be requested via email and are subject to availability. If a transfer cannot be accommodated, a credit note or enrollment in a later term of the same class will be offered.
Absences: If you are unable to attend a class, please notify us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au on the day of your class. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to arrange an alternative to compensate for the missed session.
- Retrospective Requests: Requests for make-up classes from previous terms (e.g., last term) will not be accepted. Please contact us promptly to explore alternative arrangements if you cannot attend.
Cancellations by Clay Talk: Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances, such as insufficient enrollment, illness, or required maintenance work.
- You will be notified in advance if a cancellation is necessary.
- Options will include rescheduling the class, scheduling an alternative date, or providing a pro-rata refund.
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 4%).
What you will learn
- Principles of wood firing
- Principle of kiln design
- How to achieve atmospheric firings in our modern world
What you will get
- Hands on kiln building experience
- Allocated space for work in the inaugural firing
- Creating a tile to be part of the kiln site (leaving your legacy)
What to bring
- Hard capped boots
- Gloves, hat, sunglasses, your own lunches, sunblock
What to wear
Casual / older clothes and covered or closed-in shoes - building kilns can get messy!
Appropriate for
Potters with established centering and turning skills. NOT suitable for beginners
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.
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 and 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
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 at 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.