The Official Anagama Kiln Firing & Opening
Description
Anagama Kiln Celebration at Montsalvat – A Free Community Event
WHEN: Sunday 6 July TIME: 10:00am – 4:00pm ADMISSION: Free for all
Join us at Montsalvat for a very special celebration—the official unveiling of the new Anagama wood fire kiln, built over five months with the care, skill, and passion of the Clay Talk team and community volunteers.
Led by Joe Say, Simon Hrvojevic, Sean Aitken, and Sergei Shatrov, this ambitious project has brought to life a stunning fusion of sculpture and function—a traditional Japanese-style wood kiln, now nestled within the beautiful grounds of Montsalvat.
Coinciding with Montsalvat’s Winter Gathering, this free event is your chance to witness the kiln in action as it fires throughout the day, reaching high temperatures through the power of wood and flame. Don’t miss the official launch at 12pm, presented by Montsalvat CEO Matt Jones, as we honour the incredible efforts behind this milestone achievement.
Bring your family and friends for a day of community, creativity, and inspiration. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, explore Montsalvat’s historic spaces, and connect with fellow lovers of art, craft, and culture.
This is more than a kiln—it’s a celebration of collective spirit, tradition, and making with fire.
Admission is free all day. Donations are warmly welcomed to support the ongoing sustainability of Montsalvat’s heritage precinct.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
What you will learn
- See the new Anagama at work!
What you will get
- See how community projects come to fruition!
What to bring
- Lunch.
What to wear
Casual clothing, closed shoes.
Appropriate for
Everyone interested in wood kilns, community projects and supporting Montsalvat.
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.
Montsalvat Arts Education has an average rating of 4.9 for their other classes.
See other reviewsCancellations & 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 or 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 ONLY
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.
Ceramic term classes specific to 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.