Alternative Firing Workshop with CJ Henderson An exciting world of alternative finishing techniques
Two Sundays: September 14th & 21st, 2025
Sunday 9/14: 10 am – 2 pm | Sunday 9/21: 9 am – 3 pm | All Levels | Ceramics Studio
This workshop is great for a first time clay experience or for the experienced potter to explore a number of new finishes. We will be using non-traditional finishes such as Raku, Saggar, and Obvara to create beautiful surface results.
We will meet on two consecutive Sunday’s, the first, to create our pieces and the second to fire them.
What You’ll Experience:
Hands-On Raku Firing: Engage in the Raku process, from glaze application to firing, and witness the distinctive transformations that Raku creates.
Safety and Technique: Due to the intense nature of Raku, students will work closely with open flames. For safety on the firing day, please wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and natural fiber clothing.
Class Highlights:
Beginning Level: This workshop is open to all experience levels, from none to advanced. The potters wheel is available for those with experience. Hand building is available for all.
Unique Creative Expression: Discover the expressive potential of Raku and alternative firing techniques, and create pieces with stunning, one-of-a-kind effects.
Included Materials: Tuition includes clay, glazes, and firings.
Pottery Tools: Optional 9-piece tool kits are available in the studio for $15, though purchase is not required for the class.
Each participant will create 4-5 pieces no bigger than 8″ in all directions.
Age Requirement:
Alternative Firing classes are designed for persons aged 18 and over, or with instructor approval.
Please bring a lunch.
25 0914w CJ
CJ Henderson
Born in Santa Barbara, California. From a young age he was inspired to create. Growing up he loved writing poetry, drawing, and creating cities both in the dirt for his matchbox cars or with Lego. This transitioned to his painting and sculpting with acrylics and wire/mixed Media sculptures. He studied art at Moorpark College, taking almost every art class they offered for 8 years.
Primarily working in an abstract form, using bright vivid colors, hard color blocking and organic forms, he loves to push the envelope and think outside of the box on what colors and shapes make you feel when you look at them. He uses art as a method of therapy; Many of his pieces are an expression of his emotions, thoughts, trials and tribulations.
For the past few years, CJ has returned to the art of ceramics at the Sedona Arts Center, studying and creating under the instruction of Dennis Ott; learning Raku and continuing to push the boundries of ceramics in an absract form.
CJ Hopes to inspire viewers to view the world a little differently and feel the intended emotions with his works. He strives to show the world that it’s always better to create rather than destroy.
Recent Exhibitions include:
Introduction to Elements 2024, Sedona Arts Center *Winner – People’s Choice
Nude Nite Exhibition, Florida
42nd & 43rd Annual Jurried Art Exhibition, Sedona Arts Center
Out of the Fire Ceremic Exhibition 2023 & 2024, Sedona Arts Center
Big Gay Art Show 2022 & 2023, Sedona Arts Center
Out of the Fire Ceremic Exhibition 2023 & 2024, Sedona Arts Center
Contemporary Surrealism, Sedona Arts Center
Numbers, Sedona Arts Center, *Winner – Honorable Mention and People’s Choice
Nuditas Exhibition, Biafarin
Included Materials: Tuition includes clay, glazes, and firings.
Pottery Tools: Optional 9-piece tool kits are available in the studio for $15, though purchase is not required for the class.
Cancellation Policy
Registration and Cancellation Policies
Registration
Each student must enroll individually.
Classes must be paid in full upon registration.
Students may register online or call Sedona Arts Center Office at 928-282-3809, Ext 1 or toll free at 866-282-3809 Ext 1.
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express are accepted or student may pay with cash or check by registering in person during office hours Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm.
In-Person and Online Classes Cancellation
Payment in full is due upon registration, or a payment plan can be put in place by the student upon check-out through Sezzle.
There is a $25 Cancellation Fee for any cancellations made before April 4, 2025. Remaining balance will be refunded.
There are no refunds after April 4, 2025.
If Sedona Arts Center cancels the workshop for any reason, all payments made will be refunded in full.
Note: If traveling to Sedona, we strongly urge students to purchase refundable airline tickets or travel insurance in case of workshop cancellation due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen changes. Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for non-refundable ticket purchases or lodging fees.
Important Message
Sedona Arts Center is not responsible for providing make-up sessions or issuing refunds, credits, or transfers for courses missed as a result of illness, emergencies, or other events beyond our control. There are absolutely no refunds after the cut-off date for any reason, unless Sedona Arts Center has to cancel the workshop, then all fees paid will be refunded in full.
~LK
CJ was a great teacher. He explained processes thoroughly and was always at the ready to offer assistance and suggestions without being smothering.
~RI
Instructor was very knowledgeable and accommodated the needs of various student skillsets. He was patient and informative with the beginners. He also provided tips and tricks to those that were more knowledgeable. Very enjoyable class and learned a lot.
~JM
I expected this to be a well run, creative and fun workshop and it was all that and more. First of all Jake is such a great person that it is a joy to spend time with him. He ran an excellent workshop. He was so well prepared for everyone with the bag of clay, the studio set up, water and snacks and doughnuts for everyone. I am not a great hand builder so I learned a lot. He had the tools for people to borrow, had time for everyone to help them with their projects and started with a demonstration to get us all going.
~JL
Jake was a wonderful teacher! He was there to answer any questions any of the students had and was very thorough in explaining. He was great about checking in with each of us and seeing if we had any questions or seeing where we were at with what we were working on. He complemented us on our creativity of what we were working on.
~YB
Jake was a fantastic instructor, very patient and informative. This was my first time taking ceramics so I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Happily, with Jake’s help, I felt very comfortable and learned a lot about the process. He was terrific!
