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Deep Dive into Soda Firing with Dan Clauson
An 4 week creating intensive with a focus on the chemistry of Soda, culminating in a Midrange Soda Firing with Dan Clauson.
program overview
In this 4 session intensive, students will create work for a soda firing while learning the history and chemistry of atmospheric Soda. Each session there will be demos and assignments that will lend to intentional and experimental decisions on the objects we make for the firing. We will make tests in clay material, slips, glazes, experiment in wadding, and placements in the kiln. During class there will be lectures on the chemistry of clay and of soda firing as well as its history, application, and experiments within the field. This class is about learning how to explore what soda can do.
During the 4 weeks each student will create one cubic foot of work to be bisqued and then fired in the soda kiln.
The firing will be two full days of activity, with students applying the lessons learned in class to the wadding and loading of the kiln and lighting the kiln. Students will learn how to plan a gas kiln schedule, use a kiln log, assess a kilns needs, and successfully fire off a kiln. Students will learn how to spray soda and how to maintain the kiln and her accessories in order to support Julia’s (our beloved soda kiln) longevity. This deep dive into soda will spark ideas and expand folx knowledge on kilns, firing, and making in clay.
Class Syllabus
Please review the class syllabus at the link below.
instructor Overview
Daniel Clauson
Daniel is a Queer and Trans Artist focusing mostly in ceramics. Dan utilizes their past experiences of gender dysphoria, relationships, and ‘home’ to influence their work. Connecting contradicting ideas of love and pain, trauma and acceptance, intimacy and ambiguity. From the University of Washington, Daniel received a Bachelors in Art in the 3D4M department, as well as a minor in Art History. Daniel has attended both the University of Colorado (Boulder) and the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) as a Post Baccalaureate in ceramics. This past Fall, they were one of the 2022 artists in residences at Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Membership Has It’s Benefits
All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40.
Materials fees are not discounted.
Membership helps support our programs, events, and financial aid programs.
Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
Tuesdays, August 11 – September 1, 2026
10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Saturday, September 12, 2026
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday, September 13, 2026
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Experience Level
IntermediateAge(s)
17 and 18-overRegistration Cost:
$320
Materials Fee:
Included
Total Registration Cost:
$320
