Sasha "Tatts" Tattam

Tatts, an artist with a strong background and expertise in mosaic sculpture, has embarked on an artistic journey enriched by a deep understanding of biophysical and chemical materialism philosophies. Through her dedication, she has discovered a captivating passion for working with clay, exploring the intricate realms of glaze chemistry and pushing the boundaries of experimental kiln practices.

Currently in her final year pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Ceramics at RMIT, Tatts goes above and beyond by curating and producing captivating art exhibitions. Her commitment extends to fostering a sense of community through her involvement with local art collectives in the vibrant north inner city of Melbourne.

Rob Matheson

From an early age I have felt driven to express myself through visual art. This, together with a passion for nature in its many and varied forms especially gems and minerals, have always offered great inspiration for my work, which entails both painting and sculpture. An artistic temperament coupled with a strong scientific interest and a sense of wonder for the way the world is ordered has led me to experiment with a range of media including both two and three dimensions.

Over a number of years I have been involved in various community arts projects and school residencies. I have been an artist in residence for a number of years at Beaconhills College in Pakenham. I have completed an artist in residence at Scotch College at Hawthorn involving the students to produce two ceramic totem poles depicting Australian nocturnal birds and animals. Prior to this I was also an artist in residence at Yarra Valley Grammar involving the Year 9 students.

I see my art as a vehicle for life long learning, and as a means of sharing the knowledge through teaching. I gain an immense sense of satisfaction in being able to help and encourage others through art. In summary, I consider my art as a journey of discovery with no perceptible end. A process of continual development and exchange of ideas and as a way of making a positive contribution to the human condition.

Josephine Cassar

Josephine is a local and long time ceramic artist of Eltham with a great gift in making and understanding functional ceramic ware. Of European extraction and with decades of experience, Josephine’s skill in understanding how to make functional ware and using the right glazes is second to none. Well respected locally, Josephine is an excellent teacher ceramics teacher and someone you will thoroughly enjoy as a beginner or more experienced pottery/ceramic maker.

Jessie Pittard

Jessie Pittard is a passionate printmaker and ceramicist. Growing up with both parents involved with ceramics, she has spent her life immersed in clay. Her studies and technical training as a printmaker at RMIT have influenced her approach.  Within her practice Jessie enjoys exploration and experimentation of form, design and process in both her functional ware as well as her sculptural works.

Jessie has been running her ceramic business from her studio in Eltham. You can find some of Jessie’s functional ceramics at the Montsalvat shop.

Sergei Shatrov

Sergei began his life with ceramics at Cooma TAFE NSW in 1993 before moving onto the Australian National University’s Canberra School of Arts under Janet De Boos, Anita Macintyre, Hiroe Swen and Greg Daly in 2003. Since then he has studied and worked in ceramic workshops and studios in Seto Japan, Minnesota, Northern California and North Carolina.

Sergei’s aesthetic and influences also come from various Asian traditions and philosophies. With many a story to tell in his adventures of clay, Sergei is a passionate advocate for discovering the self through the beauty and function of form at all skill levels.

Yuso Lee

Yuso has taught all levels and ages how to throw and hand build over her 20+ year career.  Yuso is originally from Korea.  She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Ceramics in Korea and a Diploma of Ceramics from Holmesglen College of TAFE in Melbourne.  She has lived and taught in Australia since 2005.

Yuso gets inspiration for her ceramic arts from inner emotions and the environment she lives in. She works the clay into ceramic pieces that reflect her inner feelings. Other part of her ceramic art is the building series. These represent her urban surroundings. Yuso reflects Melbourne city views at dusk in the form of ceramic pieces. 

Tracey Hollis

Tracey Hollis majored in ceramics in the 1990s whilst studying fine arts at James Cook University and QUT in Queensland.

Tracey has been teaching pottery in Eltham and Box Hill for the past 7 years at Community Arts Centre’s as well as through her own studio and loves the functionality of wheel thrown and hand built pottery. She enjoys seeing the positive benefits that working with clay provides and loves helping others learn and express their creativity through pottery.

Tracey appreciates the importance of the creators hand marks on pottery and takes inspiration from Asian and European influences as well as noted Australian potters such as Owen Rye and John Dermer.

Mary-Lou Pittard

Mary-lou has worked in her Eltham Studio as a professional potter for over 35 years.  She is a well known local identity through her community involvement, as an artist in residence with local schools, working with the Nillumbik Shire on large scale ceramic murals and smaller class room projects.

Mary-lou produces brightly coloured stoneware ceramics in her studio/gallery established at her home. Her work can also be admired & purchased at the Montsalvat Shop.

Mary-lou aims to create an energizing and creative haven for you at Clay Talk, where you can explore and develop your hand-building skills.

Keiko Matsui

Keiko has over 20 years’ experience working in ceramics, initially moving to Australia in 1999 from Japan and completing a Bachelor of Fine Art (Honours) degree in 2006 at the National Art School in Sydney.

She has been teaching ceramics for adults and children in Sydney since 2007, including a porcelain technique courses at Hornsby TAFE, NSW. Keiko's way of teaching is student focused; she observes each student’s needs and teaches them individually with her Osakan sense of humour and smile.

Keiko is also a studio artist at Montsalvat and you can find some of her beautiful work in the Montsalvat Shop.

Siena Hyland

Growing up in Nillumbik has offered Siena a world of inspiration for working with clay. First practicing in the studio of Judy Trembath as a child, Siena has been at Montsalvat for over four years, as a student and junior tutor. 

 Siena’s work is inspired by the interplay of earth and fire in the landscape and potter’s craft. Currently studying integrative psychotherapy, Siena finds joy in sharing the immersive experience of clay. 

Madelyn Mckenzie

Madelyn McKenzie is a Ceramic Artist who specialises in sculpture. Madelyn’s sculptures are inspired by Victorian architecture and wrought iron fences as well as life experiences delving into childhood and escapism. Madelyn is a teacher at Montsalvat and is completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts at RMIT majoring in Ceramics. She loves teaching children and helping students expand on their sculpting skills and ideas.

Emma Rose

Emma is heavily inspired by the natural world in material and form. She collects her own clay and utilises natural found materials in both her clay bodies and glaze.

Emma has a Bachelor’s degree in Ceramics from RMIT and has practiced and trained in Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan under various teachers. She is passionate about woodfiring, learning traditional techniques and practicing throwing as a meditative task.