Naked Raku - 3 Day Raku Workshop

Dates: January 2025

8th January- 6.30pm-9.30pm - Making

9th January- 6.30pm-9.30pm - Turning, Terra Sigillata & Burnishing

16th January - 6.30pm-8.30pm - Firing

Come experience the full cycle of the Raku firing method by joining this 3-session workshop spread over 2 weeks. Explore form creating your own pieces on the wheel or hand built in the first session. Turning, carving, terra sigillata and burnishing your pieces in the second session. The final and third session will be the Raku firing using the "slip-resist" or "naked raku" method. 

Raku is SO addictive and fun! Consider concepts and learn skills that ensure unique and inspiring results. For those that have already experienced the Raku workshop here at Clay Talk, this is the next step from the Saturday morning workshop where you bring your imagination and ideas to create your very own piece to fire. 

**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

10% Discount for all 2024 Clay Talk students. Please email claytalk@montsalvat.com.au to request your discount code.

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.

First Session 8th January 6.30pm - 9.30pm

* Plan and create your own individual pieces either on the wheel or hand built.

* Consider the firing method in your creation and how it will best compliment your ideas.

*Explore the principles of design and decoration as you learn all about the slip-resist method of Raku firing.

Second Session 9th January 6.30pm-9.30pm:

* Trimming and finishing to prepare for bisque firing

* Learn about terra-sigillata and burnishing your work

Third Session 16th January 6.30pm-8.30pm 

Raku firing

Naked Raku & Slip Resist technique

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

* 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.

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.