MUD Ceramics Club is a bright, community pottery studio in the heart of downtown Nelson, BC.

MUD was founded by Alana McDowell after she took a single pottery lesson and was instantly hooked. What began as a new creative obsession eventually inspired her to leave her day job and follow the magic that is working with clay.

Because Alana came to pottery as a complete beginner, she wanted MUD to feel different from spaces that can seem intimidating or overly serious. She imagined a studio where people could learn without pressure, make mistakes, ask questions, connect with others and discover their own relationship with creativity.

That experience still shapes everything we do.

MUD is a place to slow down, work with your hands and connect through clay. A place to try something new without needing to be “perfect,” to build a lasting pottery practice, or simply to spend a few joyful hours making a mess.

Since opening our doors in 2023, MUD has grown into a lively community of makers, students, instructors, members and clay-curious visitors of all ages. In 2026, we moved into our much larger home at 295 Baker Street, giving us more room to learn, create, gather and keep growing together.