Welcome to Mudcraft.

We are a small pottery studio in beautiful Colchester, Vermont, seven miles north of Burlington. Mudcraft was founded in 2021 out of a need for more opportunities for adult clay enthusiasts or curious beginners to get their hands in clay. We’re passionate about teaching and learning, and welcome participants of all experience levels to try our private or small-group classes. We’re not a membership-based or production studio.

The nitty gritty: We have nine pottery wheels, two large work tables, a slab roller, an extruder, an electric kiln that we fire to cone 6, and a wide variety of commercial glazes. We also have a small gift shop where participants can display and sell their work. We love experimenting with new clay bodies and methods, and we always want to hear from our students about what they’d like to see in the studio.

Our Values 

Friendliness: There are no dumb questions here. Absolute beginners and experienced potters are welcomed with open arms, and we believe everyone has something to contribute at Mudcraft. Never touched clay before? We’ll have you making pots you love in no time. 

Cleanliness: Clay is messy, and clay dust can be a barrier to people with respiratory issues. We run a HEPA filter full-time and we all work hard to keep our space clean and tidy so that participants can focus on the fun stuff -- making art!

Experimentation: We are always learning! We view disappointments as opportunities for growth and connection. We don’t mind when pots warp, wobble or even break, because it’s a chance to study our process and appreciate our strengths from a different perspective. We encourage participants to dream big about what they want to create. 

Inclusivity: We embrace participants of all experience levels and interests in clay, and do our best to meet people where they are and support them in where they want to go. We have a small class size (up to 8 students).

Affiliated Artists

  • Lisa Minetti

    OWNER, INSTRUCTOR

  • Arrity Deakin

    STUDIO ASSISTANT, INSTRUCTOR

  • Lucia Liencres

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Nancy Oakes

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Lizzy Hamlin-Volz

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Kate McKernan

    INSTRUCTOR

  • Lisa loves the way pottery pushes her into new ways of thinking and seeing. She began her journey with clay over 20 years ago. After retiring from a career in higher education, she threw herself into her hobby and has been developing her skills and artistic vision ever since. She really loves helping others discover the many pathways in which learning happens, and feels honored to witness the “a-ha” moments when participants are able to apply concepts and skills that allow them to create their vision.

  • Arrity’s love for pottery began in college, where she learned her foundational skills in throwing and handbuilding. She enjoys exploring all the aspects of clay — from making stamps, to carving thrown pottery, painting patterns, creating fun handbuilding projects and experimenting with colored clays. When Arrity is not in the studio, she is helping families before, during and after the birth of their children as a doula, at Birth Love Doula: https://birthlovedoula.com

  • Lucia has had a love of pottery since she first sat in front of a wheel at 8 years old. She does a mix of hand-building and wheel pottery. Lately, Lucia has been loving pressing flowers into clay to make plates and platters and playing with texture. Lucia is passionate about introducing both kids and adults to ceramics. When not at Mudcraft, Lucia works at Rock Point School where she is in the process of getting a pottery program up and running for her students.

  • Nancy is an artist and retired elementary art teacher. Creating and connecting with people continues to be her passion. She enjoys various art media, but finds sculpting with clay to hold the most fascination. She finds it rewarding to share “tried and true” handbuilding techniques with others, turning potentially frustrating experiences into great fun and fulfillment.

  • Kate has taught art in a variety of settings and media for the past 15 years. She received her Master's Degree in Education, with a concentration in the arts, from Saint Michael's College and is currently pursuing a second graduate degree in mental health counseling at Northern Vermont University. Kate is an adjunct instructor in the Art Education program at the University of Vermont. Her passion lies in providing time, space, and inspiration for people with all levels of experience to express themselves creatively. Kate particularly loves introducing beginners to clay and assisting them in bringing their ideas to life!

  • Lizzy started working with clay over 15 years ago on the wheel at UVM, and created hand built bud vases for her wedding! She loves functional art and working with clay and the magic of the glazing process. Prior to the pandemic, she was exploring hand building, and came back to a regular clay practice with us this year, making whimsical and functional pieces with lots of texture.