Carson Culp Workshop

Join Us for an Exclusive Pottery Workshop with Carson Culp!

Spend an inspiring day with the vibrant and talented potter Carson Culp, all the way from the USA. Dive into the renowned Leach Pottery techniques and processes, honed during Carson’s time as a Production Assistant at the iconic Leach Pottery. It was here that Carson mastered his technical skills and embraced the Leach philosophy of craftsmanship—blending tradition with efficiency and celebrating the beauty of functional, handmade objects.  

With a wealth of experience from international workshops and pottery adventures, Carson brings a deep passion for clay that is sure to ignite your creativity. Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired by a true artisan.  

Spaces are limited—book now to secure your spot!

You can see details of Carson Culp and his work at his website here

Dates:

Workshop Saturday 11th January 10:30am-4:30pm

Workshop Saturday 25th January 10:30am-4:30pm

Where:

Clay Talk Ceramic Centre inside Montsalvat

7 Hillcrest Ave Eltham 3095

What you will learn:

* Carson's journey and inspirations in clay

* Traditional pottery techniques

* Production pottery

* Morning session  will be throwing demonstrations & techniques

* Afternoon session - Students on the wheel being tutored by Carson

Materials provided:

Free bag of Walkers No.10 clay

Free access to all pottery tools in studio

Tea, coffee, milk, biscuits

Materials NOT provided:

* Firing of pieces - seperate cost of $15/kg for bisque + $15/kg for glaze firing to be scheduled with Clay Talk manager on another day during Studio Access on Fridays 10am-2pm or Sundays 5-9pm. Glazes included in this fee.

* Aprons, towels

* Lunches

Places limited to 10 people maximum.

Please note:

* This course is a pottery wheel focussed course.

* This course is NOT suitable for beginners! You need to have a few years practise of basic throwing and turning skills to get the most out of this course.

* Please read our terms and conditions below before committing. We are generous under certain circumstances.  Once committed to the course, we dont offer partial refunds if you cannot attend class. Transfers and make-up classes if you cannot attend due to illness are available within our schedule.

* If numbers are not adequate to run the course 5 days out, Clay Talk will cancel the class and offer transfers, credit notes or refunds minus a small admin fee for all placements.

Why Clay Talk?

Our class size is limited to 10 people so that you can develop your skills with a lot of one-on-one tuition, find your individual style and learn at your own pace. Clay Talk Ceramic Centre at Montsalvat is spacious and beautifully designed ceramic studio that will guarantee tapping into your creativity.

Please note that this course is predominantly a wheel throwing course. Handbuilders are very welcome and will also be an important aspect to this course.

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About Carson: 

Currently

Assisting the production team at the renowned Leach Pottery in St. Ives, Cornwall

Since the start of 2023, I embarked on a journey through clay that has taken me around the world. What began as a one-year exploration has now evolved into nearly two years of continued practice, education, and discovery. Along the way, I’ve embraced countless opportunities—from residencies and workshops to exhibitions and assistantships—all of which have deepened my connection to ceramics. Each experience has furthered my understanding of this craft and this world. My path continues to unfold, with new ventures planned well into 2025. Trusting the process can at times feel unsettling, but it has consistently placed me in the best possible positions, allowing me to embrace invaluable opportunities while continuously pushing the boundaries of my craft.

Past

For more than a decade, I have immersed myself in a world of ceramics, where a deep love for clay has blossomed into a lifelong passion. This commitment, or obsession, has not only shaped my craft but also defined my journey as an artist, maker, and human in this world.

My early years started in Portland, Or where I worked for countless studios and artist; these include Mudshark Studios, Kelly Pottery, Multnomah Arts Center, and many more.

I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world, learning from and working alongside incredible mentors, potters, and studios. One of the most pivotal points in my career was a one year stint at the renowned Leach Pottery in 2017, under the guidance of lead potter Roelof Uys. Here, I honed my technical skills and embraced the Leach philosophy of craftsmanship—balancing tradition with efficiency and finding beauty in functional, handmade objects.

Furthering my exploration, I spent time in Japan at the Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art for the summer of 2018, where I immersed myself in the rich tradition of Eastern techniques, learning how to blend them with contemporary approaches..

My return to Portland at the beginning of 2019 consisted of 3 years as a potter at Wolf Ceramics, led by Sarah Wolf. I played a key role in increasing both the quantity and volume of work produced at Wolf Ceramics. Additionally, I helped establish a solid standard of quality, setting a benchmark that continues to influence Wolf Ceramics production methods today.

In 2022, I founded Culp Pottery, creating a space where I could fully immerse myself in the craft and further explore the possibilities of functional ceramics. During this time, I collaborated with clients on various projects, exhibited personal work, and produced custom tableware. Achieving this by the age of 27 felt like the peak of a long-held goal, yet something still felt incomplete. I found myself questioning, Is this really it? and wondering about the deeper significance of being a solitary studio potter simply selling work. This search for greater meaning and purpose led me to close the studio and embark on an ongoing journey of attending residencies and working in studios around the world, continuously expanding my artistic vision, voice, and style. 

From the very beginning, my work with clay has always been driven by a profound love for the craft. Fame, sales, exhibitions, and recognition have simply been byproducts of dedicating myself to this craft over the years. I create not for external rewards, but because I cannot imagine a life without making—it’s not just what I do, it’s who I am. This journey has demanded countless sacrifices, relentless effort, and perseverance, but through it all, my heart is filled with gratitude for the chance to live a life devoted to ceramics.

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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 DOWN TO CLAY TALK

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.
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• 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.