Explore the Art Scene of Minneapolis with Mudluk Pottery Studio!

In the art scene of Minneapolis, Mudluk Pottery Studio stands as a center of creativity, inclusion and artistic expression. A grassroots, Black-, queer-, women-owned business, Mudluk is a space where artists of all backgrounds and skill levels can come together to create beautiful works of art. The studio founders Sayge Carroll, Keegan Xavi and Katrina Knutson are dedicated to serving the creative needs of the Minneapolis community while providing a safe space for artists to explore their creativity and connect with like-minded people.

Mudluk Pottery Studio is more than just a pottery studio — it’s a vibrant community that fosters artistic growth and collaboration. The studio offers a variety of programs designed to enhance an artist’s creative journey. Mudluk provides classes in wheel throwing, glaze application, kids summer camps and much more! They welcome people of all skill levels to explore their artistic potential.

“Mudluk prides itself on being a safe space for artists to explore their creative selves while connecting to other artists in their communities,” says Carroll, one of Mudluk’s founding members. “Art is not an isolated activity, art is created when it interacts with its community, and Mudluk knows and understands this value.”

One of the most exciting features of Mudluk Pottery Studio is its commitment to showcasing various art forms beyond pottery. The studio houses an in-house gallery that highlights diverse artistic mediums, giving space to local artists to exhibit their work. This dedication to supporting artists from all disciplines reflects Mudluk’s belief that art is not a solitary activity but rather something that thrives when it interacts with and engages the broader community.

Caroll is award-winning artist whose work challenges traditional artistic practices. She draws inspiration from her ancestral lineage and wisdom, infusing her art with the rich history of her heritage. A key part of her artistic journey involves using photography of her ancestors as a way to connect with her roots and tell their stories through ceramics.

“Truly, this is my ancestors’ biggest dream,” Carroll says. “To see me being able to be in grad school when I can count my lineage back, looking into the faces of people who came before me to get me here. It has a huge impact. I started getting [my family’s] images onto ceramics. When people saw that they wanted to make them for themselves, for the people that matter in their lives. Because with ceramics, it will last longer on this Earth than any of us will.”

Caroll’s deep connection to her roots and her innovative approach to art has made her work deeply impactful, both for herself and for others. Her unique practice resonates with people who seek to preserve and honor their own familial histories and legacies.

Mudluk Pottery Studio is more than just a place to create art — it’s a space for those who identify as queer, trans, Black, Indigenous and members of other marginalized communities. The studio’s founders understand the importance of creating a safe and inclusive space where individuals from diverse backgrounds can come together and share in the joy of artistic creation.

“[We’re] also working on doing community work where, you know, we are queer, we are trans, we are Black, we are Indigenous,” Caroll explains. “We are creating this safe space for us and drawing from what we want to be able to see offered.”

Mudluk partners with various organizations around Minneapolis to offer specialized art classes tailored to the unique needs of specific groups. For example, they collaborate with organizations such as Equinox Crew, SPYS, PRI, ThinkSelf, Survivors of Boarding Schools and The Indian Health Board to ensure that these communities have the space they need to create. Mudluk works with diverse groups, including adults with disabilities, deaf and hard-of-hearing people, and Native and Black communities. Their goal is to empower each community to use art as a means of connection, utilizing tactile mediums like clay to nurture a deeper connection to oneself and the world around them.

By offering space for both artistic exploration and community building, Mudluk continues to play an integral role in shaping Minneapolis’s cultural landscape, proving that art is not just something to be admired — it’s something that unites us all.

To explore Mudluk’s wide range of classes and events and to meet the artistic founders making a meaningful impact on the Minneapolis art scene, visit: www.mudlukpottery.com