Bookings are now closed.

Our popular “Have A Go” user experience sessions allow for visitors to try handbuilding, wheel throwing or glazing their own raku piece under the guidance of our expert potters!

Have a go at Raku Firing:

Raku firing is all flame, smoke and excitement. A fast-firing process that can produce beautiful finishes.

Choose a raku piece and glaze it with help from our experienced volunteers, then watch while our Raku Firers put it through a firing. You will be able to take your piece home to enjoy!

Raku pieces are purely decorative. Pieces are NOT suitable for fresh flower arrangements, food or drink.

Book for yourself or a group. Suitable for adults and children over 7 years of age.

Bookings are essential for this event. As sessions are time sensitive late arrival may result in loss of your booked session.

Have a go at Handbuilding:

Spend some time hand building your own small creations with clay. Enjoy the tactile and creative alchemy of clay with a potter to guide your experience.

Sessions allow for 20 to 25 minutes building with a 5 to 10 minute clean up.

These sessions are suitable for adults and children over 5 years of age.

Book in for yourself or for groups of up to 8 each session.

Places are limited so bookings are essential. Failure to arrive on time may result in the loss of your booked session.

Have a Go, Have a Throw (Wheelthrowing):

Always wanted to have a go at throwing clay on a potter’s wheel? Here’s your opportunity! As part of our Fired Up Winter Festival book into a session and try your hand at throwing on the wheel.

You will receive three balls of clay to throw on the wheel with help from a potter. These timed sessions are 30 minutes with 20 minutes of throwing and ten minutes to set up & clean up between participants.

Book in for yourself or a group. Suitable for adults and children over 7 years of age.

We will not be firing work made at this event. All clay will be recycled to use again.

Bookings are essential for this event. Sessions are time sensitive so please arrive 5 minutes ahead of your session. We may not be able to accommodate you if you arrive after your session has commenced.

We’re thrilled to have a custom-built petal kiln as a new addition to this year’s event!

A petal kiln is a unique, site-specific kiln that offers a captivating and dramatic experience for viewers. The name “petal kiln” derives from the design of the kiln. It is composed of individually hinged panels, reminiscent of the petals of a flower. These panels are carefully fabricated in such a way that they can be opened, like the petals of a flower, once the kiln reaches the desired temperature - revealing a handmade sculpture glowing at an impressive 1200°C.

Our petal is a wood-fired kiln which has been designed and constructed by Canberra Potters workshop staff Dan Venables and Joey Burns. 

The sculpture showcased within the petal kiln has been conceived by artist Maryke Henderson.  With her artistic vision, Henderson has created a captivating piece that takes full advantage of the unique environment provided by the kiln. The sculpture has been constructed by Elena Alvarado Benavides, Alice Bowers, Maryke Henderson, Abbey Jamieson and Dan Venables.

The petal kiln will be fired by skilled staff and volunteers on the day of Fired Up 2023. Late in the evening, visitors will be treated to the dramatic opening of the kiln, revealing the glowing sculpture bathed in intense heat and vibrant colors. Don’t miss this captivating centerpiece and unforgettable experience at Fired Up 2023.