Wild Clay Adventure

Make your own wild clay creation on the banks of Lake Esmond.

Join potters Steph Wallace and Kirsten Ives on an adventure to make your own wild clay creation on the banks of Lake Esmond.

An idyllic spot for picnics and fishing, Lake Esmond is one of Ballarat’s best-kept local secrets. Through a specially produced immersive audio audio experience, discover the lake’s little-known past as the Larter St Clay Pit and it's geological and social history. Learn how the rich clay deposits of the area contributed to the booming local potteries and hear first-hand how this in-turn influenced the area's artists.

After completing this immersive experience get your hands dirty as you process some natural local clay in the on-site workshop held in the picnic area. Use this clay to make and decorate your own wild clay pottery piece drawing on the beauty of nature to inspire your creative endeavours.  All tools and materials will be provided along with a goodie bag to take home.

Steph Wallace is a visual artist working with ceramics. She studied at Edinburgh College of Art and has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. Steph is co-host of a popular arts podcast and teaches ceramics from her Ballarat studio.

Kirsten Ives has a passion for permaculture and it was through this and her love of creating that she began to make pottery pieces using her own harvested wild clay - dug up from her backyard. Kirsten is a registered nurse and is currently studying a Diploma in Art Therapy.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

You’ll take home:

A raw piece of pottery of your own making, created from locally foraged clay.

A super-awesome goodie bag including your very own mug created by Steph from local clay, a booklet with all the information to use these techniques at home and bonus audio content containing in depth social history of the potteries of Ballarat.

WHAT TO BRING

• As this is an outdoor experience be sure to dress for the forecast conditions – pack your sunscreen/hat or coat/umbrella. The experience will go ahead in inclement weather under a large umbrella or marquee, but your own windproof layers and personal umbrella are recommended for the short walk around the lake.

•   Wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on gravel and other uneven surfaces outdoors.    

• This experience is not catered. Please bring your own snacks and water bottle.

EXPERIENCE LOCATION

Lake Esmond Botanical Park, Canadian, Ballarat

Meet at the playground, parking and access available from Lal Lal Street.

Google Plus Code: CVFF+PV Canadian, Victoria.

ACCESSIBILITY

This experience includes a short walk (under 2km) which may contain steps, grassed areas, uneven ground and inclines. 


MADE OF: BALLARAT CREATIVE EXPERIENCES

Explore Ballarat’s thriving creative culture with the Made of: Ballarat Experiences series. From gold leafing in a bluestone cellar to capturing moody backstreets on film, these
hands-on adventures will take you off the beaten path with local makers and creators. Discover what Ballarat is made of – and perhaps unlock some hidden talents along the way.  To explore the full series of creative and cultural experiences visit madeofballarat.com