Inclusion, creativity and safety.

Ceramics for all.

Since opening in February 2020, we have striven to create a safe and welcoming creative space for any and all peoples

MudWorks is Closing 3/31/2024

The plan was to sell Mudworks to one of our instructors, Hannah. When we asked for a lease with Hannah as the owner of MudWorks, we were denied because the landlord has decided to sell the building. And they want to sell the building with out a tenant in the space we occupy.

We are all very sad about this development.

We are unhappy that this community of studio members, students, staff, and instructors cannot continue together here in El Cerrito.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part.

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Here’s what our students are saying

  • "I'm on my second round of classes at Mudworks. It is a great place to learn both wheel and slab construction from highly qualified instructors."

    Amy B.

  • "I've found MudWorks to be a warm and welcoming place to rediscover my love of clay. I'd recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone curious about ceramics!"

    Jon S.

  • "I'm new to pottery and it was a great place to start. Class sizes are small and my teacher was super knowledgeable and helpful."

    Kat L.

  • "My mom was a ceramics teacher, but I learned more in my one hour class then all my years with my mom..sorry mom!"

    Alex S.

Meet our wonderful Team

  • Teacher

    Ursula grew up in the East Bay and began taking pottery classes in El Cerrito in elementary school. She has developed her love of art by teaching in school and out of school settings for over 20 years. Ursula believes in the value and role that art plays in education as well as “art for art’s sake.”


  • Teacher

    Hannah Hodge is a visual artist living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has experience with ceramics, casting, illustrating, woodworking, and fiber art.

  • Studio staff

    Chai is in their 3rd year of pursuing pottery and is currently a ceramics student at Laney College. Right now their focus is on repetition throwing. You can find Chai in the studio experimenting with new forms, techniques, and sharing ceramics tips they've learned.

  • Instructor

    Olive (they/them) is an Oakland-based writer and artist who loves to swim, work in their garden, and do ceramics! They first fell in love with throwing in particular at the age of 17, then went on to teach pottery to kids and teenagers in Northern California.


  • Studio Staff

    Lauren is a newcomer in the ceramics world and has loved learning from more experienced potters. Always experimenting, she’ll share different techniques and practices if asked!


  • Teacher

    Aurelia is a self-taught potter who has always had an affinity for functional pots. She has been a production potter for over 25 years and have been teaching beginner and advanced wheel throwing for 15. She has traveled the country practicing my craft and is now based in SF Bay.

Robert Abrams

  • Instructor

    Robert has been a potter for 30 years, and has been teaching for the last 22. He loves teaching pottery, especially on the wheel, and helping students improve their skills.