Amfora Studio

Amfora takes its name from the ancient clay vessels that built Monte Testaccio, a hill in Rome constructed entirely from the broken remains of millions of Roman amphorae. Carefully terraced and standing 35 metres high, it is the largest deposit of human-made objects on earth. A monument to ordinary things, made with care, that became something extraordinary.

That’s the spirit behind this studio. Amfora is a ceramics space with wheels, kilns, and everything you need to learn to work with clay, with no pretension, no prior experience, and no talent required. Term courses in wheel throwing and handbuilding run for adults at beginner and intermediate levels, alongside one-off workshops, school holiday sessions for kids, and studio membership for experienced potters who want time and space to develop their own practice.

Amfora was founded by Monica Vecchiotti, a working ceramicist, exhibiting artist, and member of Craft Victoria. Their teachers are working practitioners, still making, still exhibiting, and still growing in their own craft. Small class sizes mean there’s always someone nearby when the clay starts doing something unexpected, which it will.

Amfora operates in partnership with Melbourne Clay, who have shared their beautiful Convent studio to make this possible.