MONTSALVAT FESTIVAL OF FIRE & CLAY FESTIVAL 15–21 June 2026

Introduction

The Fire & Clay Festival is a seven-day intensive celebration of wood-fired and multi-disciplinary ceramics, hosted at Montsalvat. The festival brings together leading international and Australian artists, emerging makers, and students to explore the traditions, innovations, and contemporary relevance of fire-based ceramic practice.

Please note - information will be added and edited here as details and confirmation of the programme are finalised. Please check regularly for updates.

Participants will be fully immersed in the wood-firing experience through:

Festival Program Highlights

• Kiln Firings and Demonstrations 

Anagama, Gas Reduction, Hikidashi Raku, and Wood-Salt firings

• Masterclasses and Technical Demonstrations

Led by nationally and internationally recognised artists

• Artist Talks and Panel Discussions

Exploring history, technique, and contemporary practice

• ALCHEMY – Guest Artist Exhibition

A curated exhibition celebrating invited artists’ work

• Delegates’ Exhibition

Showcasing participating artists and students

The festival will host up to 100 delegates, excluding guest artists and volunteer support teams. Concession places will be offered to support younger and early-career participants as week passes only - day concessions not available.

The festival concludes on 21 June, aligning with Montsalvat’s Winter Solstice, a major public event that enhances public engagement through live demonstrations, exhibitions, and cultural programming. Festival ticket holders include entry to the Winter Solstice.

This festival is generously sponsored by:

Walker Ceramics

AMACO - USA

Skepsi Gallery

Morag Fraser

Barbara van Ernst

Kevin White

______________________________________________________________

International Artists

Two internationally respected artists will headline the festival, strengthening Australia’s regional creative networks and cross-cultural exchange.

1. Aaron Scythe (New Zealand / Japan)

Renowned for his distinctive cross-cultural aesthetic and technical mastery, Aaron will:

• Lead a specialist making workshop

• Oversee the Anagama kiln firing

• Conduct Hikidashi raku demonstrations

• Exhibit in the ALCHEMY show (Residents Gallery)

2. George Metropoulos McCauley (USA)

A pioneering wood-fire artist and narrative sculptor whose practice draws on Greek heritage, Asian influence, and folk traditions. Known for his Wood Fire / Red Neck Majolica technique and influential teaching career, George brings international profile, humour, and deep technical expertise.

Together, these artists elevate the festival’s academic, cultural, and professional standing, offering rare access to globally respected practitioners.

National Artists

The festival will showcase leading Australian ceramic artists, ensuring national significance, technical diversity, and a wide range of creative voices.

1. Sandy Lockwood (NSW)

Internationally respected for raw, expressive wood-fired vessels.Demonstrations and co-lead of salt firing.

2. Sue Acheson (VIC)

An accomplished wood-firing artist & specialist.Keynote address and one-on-one mentoring sessions.

3. Ted Secombe (VIC)

Renowned for large-scale vessels and glaze mastery.Wheel-throwing demonstrations.

4. Minna Graham (VIC)

Known for quietly powerful forms exploring balance, restraint, and material sensitivity.

5. Greg Daly (NSW)

One of Australia’s foremost glaze specialists.One-day glaze-making intensive.

6. John Daly (NSW)

Distinctive wheel-throwing demonstrations.

7. Kevin White (VIC)

Internationally recognised master of porcelain.Demonstration of his unique porcelain practice.

8. Owen Rye (VIC)

A seminal voice in Australian wood firing.Wood-firing lecture and panel participation.

9. David Pottinger (VIC)

Leading practitioner of Nerikomi/Neriage porcelain techniques.

10. Susan Robey (VIC)

Known for delicate paper-clay architectural structures.

11. Yuri Wiedenhofer (NSW)

Creator of ephemeral, landscape-responsive wood-fired sculpture.

12. Anna Maas (VIC)

Director of Skepsi Gallery and leading ceramics curator.Keynote on contemporary ceramic curation.

13. Veronica Taylor (ACT)

Veronica Taylor is a Canberra-based ceramic artist and designated Tea Master of the Urasenke tradition whose work draws on the landscape around her, rendered through richly textured surfaces deepened by wood firing. At the heart of everything she makes is one quietly profound question: what does a vessel feel like as it moves from the maker's hand into yours?

14. Deborah Halpern (VIC)

One of Australia’s most celebrated ceramic and mosaic artists, renowned for her vibrant public sculptures, including the iconic Angel, that bring joy and vitality to public spaces.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Programme

Festival Overview

• A six-day national gathering celebrating ceramic practice across multiple firing ranges.
• Featuring firings, workshops, demonstrations, talks, exhibitions, and public engagement
• Set within Montsalvat’s 92 year-old  historic artists’ community

Daily Program Structure

• Morning: Kiln firings, demonstrations, artist talks
• Afternoon: Masterclasses, Discussion Panels, kiln firings
• Evening: Site closed (except scheduled overnight firings)

Programme Schedule

Monday 15 June

• 10:00am — Registration & Welcome in the Barn Gallery
• 10:00am — Delegates Show set-up in the Wood Workshop
• 12-2pm — ALCHEMY bump-in in the Residents Gallery with Anna Maas
• 11:00am — Welcome & Opening - CEO Matt Jones, Kevin White, Sergei Shatrov
• 1:00pm-2:00pm  — Guest Artist Presentation in The Barn Gallery - Drawing in Clay: Story, Surface & the Human Hand - George McCauley. Introduced by Dr. Owen Rye
• 3:00-4:00pm - A Montsalvat Tour - an introduction, a story and tour around Montsalvat’s grounds and buildings for attendees.
• 4:00pm - Montsalvat site officially closed.
• All Day/Night

Anagama firing with Aaron Scythe 

Ephemeral Kilns with Yuri Wiedenhofer

Tuesday 16 June

• 10:00am–4:00pm — Demonstration workshops  in the Barn Gallery - Dr Sandy Lockwood | Ted Secombe | George McCauley | Minna Graham | Greg Daly
• 10am - 1pm Guest Artist Presentation Greg Daly in The Glass Workshop -  Alchemy of Lustre -  Greg Daly
• 11am-12pm — Guest Artist Presentation in The White Cottage
  Finding your voice in a world full of shouting - Sue Acheson introduced by Kevin White
• 2:00pm -3:00pm — Panel in The Great Hall - Why Wood Firing Still Matters in a Digital Age-
  George MacCauley, Sandy Lockwood, Sue Acheson, Aaron Scythe & Sergei Shatrov chaired by Owen Rye
• 4:00pm - Montsalvat site officially closed
• All Day/Night

Anagama continuing with Aaron Scythe

Ephemeral Kilns with Yuri Wiedenhofer

Wednesday 17 June

• 10:00am–4:00pm — Demonstration workshops in the Barn Gallery - Ted Secombe | George McCauley | Dr. Sandy Lockwood | Minna Graham | Greg Daly
• 10am-12pm — Understanding Tea + Making Better Tea Bowls with Veronica Taylor in The Glass Workshop
• 12pm - 1pm — Guest Artist Presentation in The Great Hall - A Journey with Clay, Fire and Salt - by Dr Sandy Lockwood. Introduced by Gabie Mello
• 10am-4pm - The White Cottage with Sue Acheson -  Finding Your Voice Workshop One-On-One workshops. Bookable for free via We Teach Me Qr Code from Monday June 15 at registration.
• 2:00pm-3:00pm — Guest Artist Presentation in The Great Hall - Shaped by Place: Landscape, Clay & Form with Minna Graham. Introduced by Wendy Hargreaves
• 4pm Montsalvat closed
• All Day/Night

Anagama firing finishing with Aaron Scythe

Ephemeral Kilns with Yuri Wiedenhofer

Thursday 18 June

• 10:00am–4:00pm — Demonstration workshops -  Aaron Scythe | George McCauley  | Minna Graham | John Daly 
• 10am-12pm The Art of Curating - exhibition installation workshop with Anna Maas in The White Cottage
• 10am-late Wood Salt Firing with Dr Sandy Lockwood & Sue Acheson
• 11:00am - Panel Discussion in The Great Hall - The Future of Clay: Materials, Technology & Sustainability - with Ted Secombe, Dr Owen Rye, Greg Daly chaired by Kevin White
• 2:00pm — Panel in the Great Hall - Voices in Clay: Practice, Process & Presence - with Minna Graham, Sue Acheson, Gabie Mello introduced by Wendy Hargreaves
• 3:00-4:30pm - Excursion to Jack Lätti’s studio in Research - study of his anagama, beautiful studio and incredible artwork. Access by car pooling only.
• 4:00pm - Montsalvat site officially closed
• All Day / Night

Salt firing (Dr Sandy Lockwood & Sue Acheson)

Ephemeral Kilns with Yuri Wiedenhofer

Friday 19 June

• 10:00am–4:00pm — Presentation + Workshop in The White Cottage with David Pottinger. Presentation 10-11am introduced by Kevin White.
• 10am-3pm - Workshop with Ted Secombe in The Barn Gallery
• 10am-3pm - Robbie Barron - demonstrations in The Barn Gallery with throwing techniques & handles
• 11am-12pm - Presentation in Clay Talk studio - Making Your Living as an Artit - with Deb Halpern introduced by Wendy Hargreaves
• 12:30pm-1:30pm — Guest Artist Presentation in The Great Hall - Lineage in Clay: From Koie and Goro to Now - with Aaron Scythe introduced by Sergei Shatrov
• 12-4pm - Workshop with Deb Halpern in Clay Talk Studio
• 4:00–5:00pm — ALCHEMY Exhibition Opening in The Residents Gallery
  opened by Morag Fraser
• 5-8pm - Montsalvat Winter Solstice
• 8:00pm - Montsalvat site closed
• All Day

    Salt Firing finishing Sandy Lockwood & Sue Acheson

Ephemeral Kilns with Yuri Wiedenhofer

Saturday 20 June

• 10am-4pm — Hikedashi Raku Firing at Clay Talk with Aaron Scythe. Free booking available to paint and decorate a tea bowl via We Teach Me from Monday June 15.
• 10:00am–4:00pm — Demonstration Workshops - Susan Robey (workshop + presentation in the White Cottage) | George McCauley | Kevin White 
• 2:00-3:00pm — Panel in the Great Hall
  Teaching Fire & Building Kiln Communities with Dr Owen Rye, Dr Sandy Lockwood, Jack Lätti, Rob Barron, George McCauley & Sergei Shatrov chaired & introduced by Wendy Hargreaves
• 4:00pm - Montsalvat site officially closed
• All Day 

Ephemeral Kilns with Yuri Wiedenhofer

Sunday 21 June

• 10:00am -1:00pm — Kiln Openings (Anagama, Salt)
• 1:00–2:00pm — Closing Gathering & Thank you in The Barn Gallery
  Dr Owen Rye, Dr Sandy Lockwood, Anna Maas, George McCauley, David Walker with Kevin White & Sergei Shatrov
• 4:00–6:00pm — ALCHEMY Exhibition bump-out | The Delegates Show bump-out
• 6:00pm — Festival close

Exhibitions

ALCHEMY - in The Residents Gallery — All Week

Delegates Exhibition & Sales Woodworkshop — Monday to Sunday

Venue Address

Montsalvat 7 Hillcrest Avenue, Eltham VIC 3095

montsalvat.com.au

(03) 9439 7712

Food & Coffee at Montsalvat

Staying fed and caffeinated has never been easier at Fire & Clay!

Montsalvat's beloved Meeting Pool Café will be open every day of the festival, Monday 15 through to Sunday 21 June. On Monday 15 and Tuesday 16, the café will be serving coffees and pastries and fulfilling pre-ordered lunchboxes - no walk-in lunch orders. From Wednesday 17 through to Sunday 21 the full café menu will be available daily from 10am to 4pm.

And here's the smart move for the whole festival week: pre-order your lunchbox for any or all days and have it ready and waiting for you. No queuing, no running into town, no missing a demonstration because you're stuck waiting for food. Montsalvat is 5-10 minutes one-way drive  from Eltham — that's precious festival time you won't get back.

Pre-ordered lunchboxes must be booked via this We Teach Me listing by Sunday 7 June 2026. Orders will not be available to purchase on the day, so don't leave it too late!

With a packed programme of overlapping events, presentations and kiln firings running from morning to evening, pre-ordering your lunch is simply the best way to make the most of every moment at Fire & Clay.

Firing Submission Options for Anagama & Salt Kilns

• Each attendee may submit one bisque-fired stoneware piece for the Anagama firing and/or one for the Salt firing
• Details on what, how and when to send a bisqued piece will be forwarded in your confirmation email
• This service and option is available to paid attendees only

Enquiries

fireandclay@montsalvat.com.au

Who Is Montsalvat?

Montsalvat is Australia’s oldest continuously active artists’ community, renowned for its rich creative heritage, distinctive architecture, and enduring commitment to artistic excellence. Operating as an independent, not-for-profit organisation without regular government subsidy, Montsalvat sustains its programs through donor support, community partnerships, and delegate pre-payments for festivals such as Fire & Clay —ensuring the ongoing vitality of its festivals, education initiatives, and cultural events.

Accomodation Options closest to Montsalvat

here. 8.7km 22 minute drive to/from Montsalvat.

Crystal Brook Tourist Park 8.6km 16 minute drive to/from Montsalvat. There is a 7.6km walking track through the Warrandyte State Park across the Yarra that will take you to Montsalvat.

Eltham Gateway Hotel 10 minute 5 minute drive to/from Montsalvat

TERMS & CONDITIONS – Montsalvat Festival of Fire & Clay

These Terms and Conditions apply specifically to participation in the Montsalvat Festival of Fire & Clay.

Bookings & Payments

Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure participation in the festival events. All bookings must be made through our online portal: www. Payments are accepted exclusively through this platform. Places in the Festival of Fire & Clay are limited and cannot be held without payment. If we do decide to refund you under extreme circumstances, there is an 8% surcharge minus the refund total.

Cancellations & Refunds

Refunds will not be given for change of mind regardless of circumstances. If you have extreme personal circumstances and need to cancel your ticket, please contact fireandclay@montsalvat.com.au to request a refund. Refunds for extreme circumstances are at Montsalvat's discretion and most likely will not be processed. 

Participation & Safety

Festival participants must follow all safety instructions given by artists, kiln leaders, and festival staff, particularly in kiln and firing areas. Closed footwear must be worn in all working and firing areas. The organisers reserve the right to refuse participation to anyone behaving in an unsafe, abusive, threatening or disruptive manner.

Kiln Firings & Ceramic Work

Ceramic firing is an unpredictable process. While every effort will be made to care for participants’ work, Montsalvat and festival organisers cannot guarantee outcomes or accept responsibility for breakage, cracking, or firing faults.

Photography & Media

Photography and video may take place during the festival for documentation and promotional purposes. Attendance at the festival implies consent to the use of images for Montsalvat promotional material.

Program Changes

The festival program may change due to weather, technical requirements, or artist availability. Organisers reserve the right to adjust schedules, presenters, or activities where necessary.