Two-Day Masterclass with Teck Heng (Alvin) Tan

Two-Day Ceramics Workshop with Teck Heng (Alvin) Tan

Clay Immersion: Technique, Form & the Self – A Holistic Guide to Beautiful Pottery with Alvin Tan

Dates: Saturday 24 & Sunday 25 May Time: 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM (both days)

Location: Clay Talk Studio at Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham, VIC

Join internationally acclaimed ceramic artist Teck Heng (Alvin) Tan for an inspiring and transformative two-day workshop at Clay Talk. Based between Singapore and the Philippines, Alvin brings a unique and deeply personal approach to working with clay. Through this immersive experience, you’ll explore vessel formation, drawing and carving techniques, and holistic practices that promote both physical and mental well-being in the studio.

This rare opportunity to learn from one of South-East Asia’s most respected master potters is not to be missed.

Workshop Highlights

• Day 1: Demonstration, Presentation and Make with Alvin

  • Watch Alvin demonstrate his signature techniques for throwing and forming vessels.

  • Gain insight into his creative journey, philosophy, and approach through an engaging visual presentation.

  • Initial piece started to dry overnight before carving in next day's session

• Day 2: Make with Alvin

  • Continue to apply what you’ve learned through a guided hands-on session alongside Alvin.

  • Explore drawing and carving techniques to create expressive surface designs.

  • Learn how to support your body and mind while making – a holistic approach to sustaining a healthy ceramics practice.

What’s Included

• One bag (10kg) of premium stoneware clay

• All firings of work made during the workshop (included in price)

• Expert instruction, demonstrations, and one-on-one guidance from Alvin

• Complimentary morning tea (beverages and pastries from Montsalvat Café) both days

What to Bring

• A notebook or visual diary

• A camera or phone for documentation

• A packed lunch (or purchase from Montsalvat Café on-site)

Workshop Capacity: Limited to 10 participants Cost: $450 per person Bring-A-Friend Offer: $400 per person when booking together. Further discounts for Members.

This workshop is ideal for intermediate to experienced ceramicists looking to deepen their technical skills and reconnect with the joy of making.

Bookings are essential – places will fill quickly. Reserve your spot today.

PLEASE READ BELOW:

Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel the workshop:

• if a minimum number of people have not booked 7 days before the workshop. 
• If there is a health order directive to isolate prior to or during the workshop.
• with a sudden change in fire danger warnings or a dangerous fire weather system - if the workshop is cancelled due to fire danger period or from the advise of fire authorities, Clay Talk will POSTPONE the workshop and commence or reconvene when safe to do so and convenient to our schedule.

Upon booking please pay attention to Clay Talk Terms and Conditions and Conditions of Entry.

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 4%).

 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.

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.