Clay Education Year 2
Clay Education: Extended Practice
Clay Education: Extended Practice is a year-long program focused on developing each participant's individual artistic voice and deepening their personal connection to their work. Through weekly group sessions, studio access, and monthly 1-on-1 mentoring, artists are encouraged to explore their values, foster creative inquiry, and cultivate a mindful, sustained studio practice. This non-skill-based program emphasises a supportive environment where participants can grow and evolve their unique artistic expressions over time.
Clay Education Extended Practice: Developing Unique Artistic Voice and Direction is a tailored for emerging and established ceramic artists who want to refine their personal style and artistic direction. Through hands-on exploration of techniques, materials, and conceptual development, participants will deepen their understanding of their creative identity. This course provides a supportive and inspiring environment for experimentation, encouraging artists to push boundaries, hone their skills, and cultivate a distinct voice within the field of ceramic arts.
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2025 Dates
Semester 1
Term 1: February 4th - 25th March
Break: 26th March - 14 April (Speciality Workshops)
Term 2: 15th April - 17th June
Break: June 18th - July 10th (Speciality Workshops)
Semester 2
Term 3: 15th July - 16th September Break: 19th September - October 9th (Speciality Workshops)
Term 4: October 14th - December 11th Exhibition: December 12th 2024
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Course Highlights
Weekly 3-hour group sessions focused on technique, style, and conceptual exploration.
Monthly themes to inspire and guide creative practice.
Studio access on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Highly reduced firing rates for enrolled participants.
Full use of studio equipment, including wheels and handbuilding facilities.
Access to all studio glazes and additional tools.
One-on-one mentoring with studio owner, arts therapist, and arts-based researcher, Gabie Mello.
Use of studio reclaim
Studio Access is available
Tuesdays from 11am
Fridays 10am - 4pm
Sundays 10am - 4pm -
Each month, each participant is offered 1hour one on one mentoring with Gabie. This mentoring can cover anything from your arts practice, exhibition proposals, practical skill development.
This needs to be booked in advance via the booking system on the allocated times and dates.
Gabriela Mello (she/her) is a Latinx multidisciplinary artist and the owner and director of Warrandyte Pottery, a gallery and ceramic studio established in 2019. Recently completing a Master’s in Therapeutic Arts with a specialisation in Arts-Based Research, Gabie dedicates her life to fostering community, exploring the nuances of clay, and embracing relationality—the intricate connections between individuals and their environments.
Born in Brazil and raised across two diverse cultures—Fortaleza, Brazil, and New York City—Gabie brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her work. Her artistic practice is deeply attuned to the different ways people navigate the world, and this insight informs her creative process.
Gabie’s work is grounded in the interplay of texture, colour, form, and material, engaging in emergent mark-making to reflect her lived experiences and interactions. She values pushing boundaries, breaking traditional rules, and championing the materials she works with. Each of her pieces invites viewers to explore the multifaceted relationships that shape our existence, celebrating the beauty and complexity of human connection.
Passionate about supporting both emerging and established artists, Gabie creates a supportive environment for them to develop their voices and artistic practices. Through an arts-based research lens, she encourages artists to explore their own creative journeys with authenticity, allowing for experimentation and innovation.