Independent Arts News Reporting Mudtown Ceramics Celebrates One Year as a Creative Hub in Rural Hunterdon County & Announces New Classes for Fall
Monday, October 13, 2025.
Pictured Above: Darryl the Dog in the Mudtown Pottery Studio. Photo Credit: Contributed.
NEWSROOM POST: FRENCHTOWN, NEW JERSEY
At a time when most large creative spaces are clustered in cities, Mudtown has proven there’s strong demand for serious ceramics in Hunterdon and Bucks Counties
Frenchtown, NJ – Mudtown Ceramics celebrates its first anniversary as a thriving clay studio serving Hunterdon and Bucks counties. In just one year, the 2,000+ square-foot studio has become a gathering place for artists, beginners, and neighbors—demonstrating that even in rural New Jersey, there’s strong demand for professional-quality creative space.
Mudtown first opened in 2024 as a members-only studio, giving local makers access to dedicated space for wheel throwing and hand-building, five clay bodies, more than 20 glazes, and three kilns. This fall, the studio expanded its reach with a rich slate of public classes, inviting the broader community to experience the joy of clay.
“People are often surprised to find a large, professional studio here,” said partner Elsa Mora. “But creativity thrives in unexpected places, and our community has shown just how much this kind of space is needed.”
Pictured Above: A young Mudtown student in the studio. Photo Credit: Contributed.
In just one year, Mudtown has proven that demand for professional-grade creative spaces exists even in rural Hunterdon County. With members from across Hunterdon and Bucks, a growing roster of classes, and even a resident golden retriever named Darryl, Mudtown has become a unique and unexpected hub for art-making.
Mudtown is the collective effort of three local practitioners:
-Elsa Mora, co-founder of ArtYard and recipient of the UNESCO-Aschberg Bursaries for Artists, whose work was most recently shown at Pen + Brush Gallery in New York City.
-Tom Hubben, an industrial designer with a BFA in ceramic sculpture from Pennsylvania State University and most recent exhibition at ArtYard.
-Veda Partalo, former head of marketing at Spotify and a novice sculptor, whose work was recently exhibited at Southside Preservation Gallery in Minneapolis.
Together, they envisioned a space where clean white walls and tables fade into the background, allowing the work of each maker, be they artist, hobbyist, or dabbler, to take center stage. Today, Mudtown offers five clay bodies, more than 20 glazes, and three kilns that keep creativity constantly firing.
Pictured Above: Clay lamps created from class at Mudtown Studios. Photo Credit: Contributed.
Fall 2025 Classes & Workshops Announced for October & November
This fall marks Mudtown’s first slate of public offerings, with classes designed to welcome curious newcomers and inspire seasoned artists alike:
Glow: Ceramic Lamps – Transform a lump of clay into a functional, gallery-worthy lamp with Emily Loughlin.
Underglaze Painting – Explore painterly surface design using underglazes like watercolor on bisque-fired tiles with Elsa Mora.
Wheel Throwing: All Levels – Build a strong foundation on the wheel while discovering your creative voice with Mike Panella.
Clay Shrines – Design small architectural forms—such as niches and arches —that hold symbolic objects with Elsa More.
Ceramic Jewelry – Create pendants, beads, and brooches in this sculptural jewelry workshop with Elsa Mora.
Full class details, timing and pricing available here.
Instructors with Distinct Perspectives
Alongside the partners, Mudtown has welcomed a team of diverse instructors, including:
Mike Panella – Known for harvesting clay from riverbanks and firing in campfires, trained at Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School.
Emily Loughlin – A Brooklyn transplant with a BA in Sculpture from Sarah Lawrence College, exploring the sculptural legacy of wildfires.
Gloria Kosco – MFA from Rhode Island School of Design, a skilled wheel instructor.
Tom Thomas – A professional gardener and ceramic artist best known for whimsical gargoyles.
About Mudtown Ceramics Mudtown Ceramics is a 2,000+ sq. ft. clay studio located between Frenchtown and Milford, NJ. Founded in 2024 by three local partners, Mudtown offers membership access, public classes, and open studio space for wheel throwing and handbuilding. With five clay bodies, more than 20 glazes, and three kilns, the studio serves artists of all levels across Hunterdon and Bucks counties. Learn more about Mudtown Ceramics at www.mudtownceramics.com
