About us

Tail in the Mud Pottery Studio is designed to be a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment where people of all backgrounds can pursue their art in ceramics.

 Our name, “Tail in the Mud,” comes from the writings of the Chinese philosopher Zhuangzi (c.369-289 BCE). In one story, the King of Chu sent two officers to invite Zhuangzi to serve as the highest official in the land. While fishing, Zhuangzi replied without looking up: “In Chu, there is a sacred three-thousand-year-old turtle shell, wrapped in silk and kept in the king’s temple. Tell me — is it better for the turtle to have its shell honored in the temple, or to be alive, dragging its tail in the mud?” The officers answered, “Better to be alive, dragging its tail in the mud.” Zhuangzi said, “Leave me here. I too will keep dragging my tail in the mud.”

 The story reflects a rejection of prestige and convention in favor of freedom and authenticity, values we embrace in our studio. For us, it means choosing creative play, community, and the joy of working with clay over rigid expectations.

 Our studio lives out this philosophy not only in spirit but also in practice. Located in a renovated machine shop, we’ve built the space with sustainability in mind. The table legs are salvaged lumber, the chairs rescued from sidewalks, counters repurposed from packing materials, and glaze buckets recycled from construction sites. Every detail reflects our commitment to reusing, repurposing, and reducing our environmental impact.

 At Tail in the Mud, we believe in community, and creativity. We invite you to join us — get your hands in the clay, connect with others, and be part of our growing community.