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✨ Raku Nights at Clay Talk – Christmas Edition ✨
Dates: Friday 4 December, Friday 11 December, Friday 18 December Time: 6–8pm
Fire, glaze and a little Christmas magic! This festive season, Clay Talk Ceramic Centre is lighting up the kiln for Raku Nights, three glowing Friday evenings running alongside Montsalvat’s wine bar nights, and on Friday 11 December, our much-loved Christmas Market.
Forget the shopping centre queues. This year, give a gift you’ve made yourself. Glaze your own ceramic vase or cup for someone special, treat yourself, or just come along for one of the most spectacular sights in pottery. Your piece will be fired by Sergei Shatrov, Montsalvat’s Manager of Arts Education, a ceramic artist with 34 years of experience and an international practice spanning Australia, Japan and the United States. Watch as he lifts your piece glowing red hot from the kiln, gives it a smoky dip in sawdust, then plunges it into water in a hiss of steam. Around 45 minutes later, your one-of-a-kind creation is ready to take home, still carrying a little of the evening’s fire.
Firings run continuously from 6pm to 8pm, so the glow keeps going all night. You can learn more about the Raku firing process here.
What is Raku Firing? Raku is a Japanese ceramics technique dating back to the 16th century, loved for its speed, its drama and its delightful unpredictability. Pots are heated fast until the glaze melts, then pulled from the kiln while still glowing. For Raku Nights, we’re all about bright, glossy, jewel-like glaze colours, with a quick kiss of smoke for crackle and character before a cooling plunge into water. No two pieces ever turn out the same, which makes every one a little Christmas surprise.
Your Raku Night:
- Pick your bisqued vase or cup
- Glaze and decorate it with our Raku glazes and colourants
- Watch Sergei fire it in the Raku kiln
- Cheer as it comes out red hot, gets smoked, and sizzles in the water
- Take your finished piece home the very same night (allow around 45 minutes from glazing to finished piece)
One piece per person.
Bookings essential! Raku is hugely popular and these evenings are expected to sell out. If any spots are left, you may be able to book on the night via QR code at the studio, subject to availability.
Your booking covers:
- One bisqued piece (vase or cup)
- Raku glazes and colourants
- Firing of your piece by master ceramic artist Sergei Shatrov, who will lead the Raku process himself
What to bring:
- Casual clothing and closed-toe shoes
- A hat and sunglasses if it’s a warm evening
- A water bottle to stay hydrated
- Optional: face mask if you’re very sensitive to smoke
RAKU NIGHTS IS HELD OUTDOORS AT CLAY TALK CERAMIC CENTRE. RAKU NIGHTS WILL BE CANCELLED due to inclement weather, including total fire bans, extreme heat or heavy rain. Notice of cancellation will depend on conditions at the time and may be given as late as the morning of the event. Credit notes and transfers will be offered before full refunds are considered.
Details
You will learn
- Discover how to glaze a pot for the dramatic, unpredictable world of Raku. You’ll choose your colours, decorate your own vase or cup, then watch it fire in a glowing kiln, get a smoky dip in sawdust and sizzle in water before your eyes. You’ll see how fire, smoke and a quick cool-down create crackles and jewel-bright colours no one can fully predict, and you’ll head home with a one-of-a-kind piece made the very same night. It’s the perfect handmade Christmas gift, with a story to go with it.
You will get
- Everything you need is included: your own bisqued vase or cup, Raku glazes and colourants to decorate it, and the firing itself. Best of all, you’ll walk away with a finished, one-of-a-kind Raku piece on the night, ready to wrap and pop under the tree, plus a front-row seat to one of the most spectacular moments in pottery.
- Choice of Raku glazes for technician to apply to your pieces after bisque firing
Appropriate for
Raku Nights is perfect for complete beginners, so no pottery experience is needed. Whether you’ve never touched clay or you’re a seasoned potter keen to see Raku in action, you’ll have a ball. It’s ideal for anyone looking to make a handmade Christmas gift, a fun night out with friends or family, or something special to pair with Montsalvat’s Friday wine bar evenings and Christmas Market. Suitable for adults and teens, with under-16s to be accompanied by an adult.
Preparation
What to bring
- All materials are provided, so just come dressed in casual clothing and closed-toe shoes. If it’s a warm evening, bring a hat and sunglasses, and a water bottle is handy to stay hydrated. If you’re very sensitive to smoke, you might like to bring a face mask too.
What to wear
Safety wear clothes - long sleeves, no loose hair, pants - no dresses
Planning a Private Event?
From corporate team building to birthdays and hen's parties, Montsalvat Arts Education can tailor a private pottery classes experience for your group.
Your Teacher
Sergei is Clay Talk’s resident Raku enthusiast, and on Raku Nights he’s the one tending the kiln, so you can relax and enjoy the show. He’s warm, easygoing and happy to chat about glazes, colours and what’s happening in the fire as your piece goes in. With 34 years at the wheel and kiln, he knows Raku never goes quite to plan, and that’s exactly the fun of it. Expect plenty of glow, a bit of smoke and a lot of “ooh” moments as each pot comes out.
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
Refunds, Credits & Transfers
All bookings are final. Refunds are not provided for change of mind, incorrect selection, scheduling conflicts, inability to attend or failure to attend.
Before Program Commencement
Requests made prior to the scheduled start date may be considered as follows:
- Transfers to another program or participant may be approved, subject to availability.
- Where a transfer is not possible, a credit may be issued, valid for a specified period.
- Refunds are not standard and will only be provided where required under law or approved at the sole discretion of Clay Talk.
- Any approved refund will incur a 10% administration fee.
After Program Commencement
No refunds, credits, or transfers will be provided once a program has commenced.
Non-Attendance
Failure to attend any scheduled session does not entitle the participant to a refund, credit, or transfer.
Illness or Extenuating Circumstances
Where a participant is unable to attend due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances:
- Clay Talk may, at its sole discretion, offer a transfer or credit.
- Refunds will not be provided except where required under law.
- Any approved refund will incur a 10% administration fee.
Cancellation by Clay Talk
If Clay Talk cancels a program, participants will be offered:
- A full refund; or
- A transfer to an alternative program (subject to availability).
Consumer Rights
Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies any rights or remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available exclusively through:www.claytalk.weteachme.com
Minimum value: $20
Valid for three (3) years from purchase
Redeemable only for Clay Talk programs via the online portal
Not redeemable for cash and non-transferable
Gift vouchers are intended to support your creative learning and artistic development.
Firing of Work – Clay Talk Term Classes Only
Many workshops and classes include firing and glazing of a specified number of pieces. Please refer to individual course listings for details.
General Requirements
All work must be clearly labelled with the name used for booking.
We take great care with all work; however, ceramics involves inherent risks.
Clay Talk cannot guarantee successful firing outcomes and accepts no liability for breakage, cracking, or firing faults.
Clay Talk Term Classes – Firing Conditions
For most term classes:
Up to 10kg of finished work per student is included in fees
Additional firing will incur extra charges
All pieces must be labelled with your Maker’s Mark(Initials + Class Code, e.g. John Adam Smith = JAS)
Unmarked work will not be fired.
Damage of pieces in Clay Talk only
Damage caused by inappropriate clay bodies or glazes may result in replacement costs for kiln shelves.
Significant kiln damage may incur additional repair fees, assessed by the Studio Coordinator.
Fire & Clay Festival – Work & Firings
For Fire & Clay Festival participants:
Firing allocations and work limits are outlined in your festival registration pack.
All work must be labelled clearly and handled in accordance with staff instructions.
Due to the experimental nature of atmospheric and wood firings, outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Collection of Work
Processing, firing, glazing, and packaging typically takes 2–4 weeks after program completion.
You will be notified by email when work is ready for collection.
Work must be collected within one (1) month of notification.
Uncollected work, materials, or tools may be disposed of or donated to Clay Talk fundraising initiatives after this period.
Contact
For all enquiries relating to bookings, attendance, or policies, please contact:
\U0001F4E7 claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
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Raku Christmas Nights
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