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.

 

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

• Kiln Firings and Demonstrations
  Anagama, Roman kiln, gas reduction, Hikidashi raku, pit, and 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 20 June, aligning with Montsalvat’s Winter Solstice, an event celebrating the longest night of the year with mulled wine, firepits and live music! Festival ticketholders receive complimentary entry to this event upon presentation of their festival lanyard.

 

 

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 and salt-glazing 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. Jeff Mincham AM (SA)

A leading figure in Australian ceramics with a four-decade career, recognised as a Living Treasure and Member of the Order of Australia. His work reflects a profound relationship with landscape, material, and Japanese Raku traditions.

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.

 

 

What 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.