Mud Lily is a Welcoming Community Space

A place where you can discover, explore and practice creating with clay. We tie concepts from wisdom traditions and a beginner's mindset to pottery making. Fun and engaging, serene and soulful, Mud Lily brings deeper connections to life and art.

In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities.... Shunryu Suzuki, Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind

What is Mud Lily anyway?

Mud Lily is another name for the lotus flower. The lotus symbolizes spiritual enlightenment, and did you know that it grows from the mud? What a great reminder in our busy lives: Growth can be messy and beautiful--all at the same time.

Our Story

When we first opened Mud Lily back in 2017, almost everyone who crossed our path was brand new to the world of pottery. These days, San Diego has leaned heavily into its maker reputation—pottery classes have become almost as ubiquitous as microbreweries and yoga studios!

We’ve learned a lot while spending this time living our passion, and we’re here to help you live yours. Our “beginner’s mindset” guiding principle, rooted in wisdom traditions, is still the backbone of what keeps us grounded, and today we offer more options  than ever for you to chart your own unique path in ceramics:

Susan took her first pottery class at the UCSD Craft Center in the early 90s and has been searching for a similar studio vibe ever since. She has resided and raised her child in La Mesa since 1999. In 2014, Susan left the corporate world to become a yoga teacher and to continue her love of practicing pottery. Current inspirations: Faceting clay, Heath Ceramics, white roses, Warrior I, 5oz cappuccino.

Susan Tull

With a career in marketing that spanned more than 25 years, Jo Ann took a a break from employment to raise her son. She also stepped into volunteerism, assisting several non-profit organizations make deeper community impacts. When she's not co-creating a place for pottery making, she manages to sneak in time to explore painting and writing and desires to share the discovery of art with others.

Jo Ann Molter

You’ll hear us use the word “practice” a lot at Mud Lily.

Not because we think that practice makes perfect, but because we believe practice is all there is—no done, no destination, only the journey.

- Susan and Jo Ann