Kentucky Mudworks — Local services in Lexington

My experience at Mudworks was not so great... I have taken 2 classes there. First, a 2 hour 'try it' pot throwing class and second, a 6 week beginner pot throwing class. Both times the classes were packed - all wheel stations full - in the 2 hour class a person had to use the instructors wheel. That is where I have my biggest issue with them. The classes are too full for only 1 instructor for a beginning class. Everyone had questions, everyone had problems/frustrations & everyone wanted to learn. The instructor could not possibly get to everyone in the 2 hour class (10-12 stations I think?). In the 6 week 'beginner' class almost everyone had been in that same beginner class for 3 or 4 six week rotations... meaning they were no longer beginners. One other girl and I were the only 2 true beginners. The instructor just assumed we knew what to do because all the others did. The other girl dropped out after the 2nd week. I stuck it out, because I paid $220 for the class, plus I wanted to learn! I was given clay, a board/plastic and shelf space to keep my work on each week. Which is what I did at the end of each class, I added what I had made to my board. I only learned about bisque firing at the last class when we were to glaze our pieces. I could not glaze mine because they had not been bisque fired yet. I didn't know I was supposed to do that. How would I know if someone hadn't told me? So thats my 2nd issue. Basic pottery techniques were not explained at all. Then after I left all my pieces to be bisque fired, I had to come back and interrupt the next 6 week session to get the instructor to show me how to glaze, etc.

Mudworks... you obviously have a great thing going and ppl like taking your classes. I would like to take more... However, the classes need less students or more instructors AND more structure to the classes on the beginning level. It is very expensive and for as much as you charge (which does include everything for an unlimited amount of finished products, so I am not saying it is too expensive in that realm) it should come with a higher level of instruction that includes information about all the steps of pot throwing. I do not feel like I got $220 worth of instruction or pottery for the 6 weeks I was there taking your class. Please, I hope you will listen to...

I was very disappointed in this place. I scheduled my class a couple weeks a head of time. When I arrived the day of the class the girl did not even know there was a class planned. She had to call the instructor to come to teach it. They overbooked the class and did not have any of the materials ready. We started the class over 30 minutes late. When the instructor arrived she gave about a 5 to 10 minute tutorial and then set us free. Then I was told to come back in 2 weeks to get my pottery that was going to be fired in the kiln. I went to pick it up almost 3 weeks after and was told they are very behind on firing their pottery. There was not any communication from them about this delay. I would not recommend this...

One of my favorite places to happily hand over my money. I love their clay! They have a large array of mid-fire clay for sale and I think I've about tried every one. None disappointment me! The clay is definitely quality made and it's dependable. That's what a Potter needs. I'm also enjoying their label mid-fire glazes. They do require 4-5 heavy coats to get their true color to show at a ^5 or ^6 depending on which clay you use, but gosh, I do really like them. The employees are always so very kind and helpful when I visit. They answer all the questions I have and give suggestions when I ask. The store itself has anything you need to work with clay. I always find new treasures. Definitely one of my...