December 4/5 and 6th - 3 day Ethical Foraged Clay Masterclass with Lea Durie

Ethical Foraged Clay Masterclass with Lea Durie

Dates: 4, 5 & 6 December 2026 | 

Time: 10am–3pm
Location: Chapman Parade,Faulconbridge, Blue Mountains

Take Your Ceramics into the Untamed Wild

Join ceramic artist Lea Durie for an immersive three-day journey into the world of locally foraged local clays.

Designed for curious makers who want to connect their ceramic practice more closely with the environment, this hands-on Masterclass explores how to ethically find, process, test and work with naturally occurring clays.

Over three days, you’ll experiment, make and discover the unique possibilities — and challenges — of working with this ancient material.

Over Three Days You Will:

• Learn how to ethically find and harvest local clay

• Process and test different clays and explore their individual properties

• Blend local clay with commercial clay to create unique clay bodies

• Create test pieces and small ceramic works using the clays you prepare

• Explore local clays and rock pigments as ceramic surfaces - slip, terrq-siglata and more

• Develop the knowledge and confidence to continue your own wild clay journey

• This Masterclass is suitable for beginners through to experienced potters. The focus is on experimentation, curiosity and play, with plenty of hands-on making time throughout the three days.
• Participants are encouraged to bring along samples of their own locally found clay to test.
• An equipment list will be emailed out prior to the Masterclass.

What to Expect

Day One — Finding & Testing
Discover how to identify and ethically collect wild clay, then begin testing a variety of clays to understand their unique characteristics. Start the process of making your own unique local foraged clay body.

Day Two — Processing & Blending
Explore different processing methods and experiment with blending wild and commercial clays to create new clay bodies for making. Testing, evaluations, discussion Q&A to build your understanding and hands on knowledge of working with forgaged clay bodies.

Day Three — Surfaces & Making
Explore beautiful natural surfaces using wild clay and rock pigments, with plenty of time to experiment and create.

Pieces can be taken home or left at the studio for firing and later collection.

2026 Masterclass Details

Dates: 4, 5 & 6 December 2026
Time: 10am–3pm each day
Cost: $585 + applicable online booking/payment fees
Location: Chapman Parade, Faulconbridge NSW 2776
Early Bird Discount: Available for eligible direct bookings - EFT deposit must be paid to secure your booking.

What’s Included

✔ Detailed notes, artist presentations, Q&A sessions with the artist

✔ Bisque and glaze firing of workshop pieces

✔ Three days of specialist tuition with Lea Durie

✔ Morning tea provided each day, BYO lunch and drink bottle

✔ Commercial clays for blending

** Please bring your own lunch and, if you have some,

** All participants are encouraged to bring samples of your own foraged local clay to explore and test. Clays will be shared throughout the Masterclass. 

Payment Options

Cost: $585 + online booking fees

Online: Pay in full or secure your place with a deposit through the website. Online booking fees apply.

Early Bird / Direct Booking: Secure your place with an EFT deposit and pay the remaining balance in cash on the first day of the Masterclass. This option avoids online booking fees. *EFT details will be provided for direct bookings.

Cancellations & Transfers

Masterclass bookings are non-refundable but are transferable.

These workshops involve significant advance costs in securing visiting artists, so refunds cannot be offered if you are unable to attend.

If your plans change, you are welcome to transfer your booking to another person with a minimum of 72 hours’ notice.

Accommodation

Travelling to the Blue Mountains for the Masterclass? A range of local Airbnb accommodation is available nearby. Contact Sharron for recommendations.

A detailed email will be sent closer to the Masterclass with information about any additional tools, materials or wild clay samples you may like to bring.

Three days to dig deeper, experiment and discover what the landscape beneath your feet can bring to your ceramic practice.