About Us
We're so glad you're interested in learning more about Kentucky Mudworks and its history and staff. Allow us to share a little about ourselves.
Our history
Kentucky Mudworks started in September of 2001 as a teaching studio and production pottery studio. Since then, we have expanded to offer multiple classes, workshops, and all the clay, tools, and supplies you need for your own studio! We are now the only full-service ceramic supplier in Kentucky. We not only sell pottery equipment, we also service used equipment from simple repairs to complete overhauls! Our selection of tools and clays are vast as well. We pride ourselves on our familiarity with the products we sell. We have tested every glaze we sell as the manufacturers recommend and beyond. We use the clays we sell on a daily basis for our classes as well as our own creative claywork. We welcome your questions!
Link Henderson
Link (that's me) is the owner and resident crazy woman at Mudworks. I've been throwing pots since about 1989 and couldn't imagine a life without clay. I graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA in 1997 with a degree in Studio Art-Ceramics and Latin (yes, Latin). I want to thank Professors Barb Diduk, Leon Fitts, Christopher Francese, and Robert Sider for their inspiration and support. I make mostly functional pottery fired at Cone 6 electric and some wood/soda work as well. I'm a chemistry freak and love glaze testing. I fell in love with KY when i moved here 10 years ago and love being part of the vibrant and diverse clay community here. When I'm not shuffling papers, teaching classes, or throwing, I am usually running or baking cookies! link@kentuckymudworks.com
Brandi West
Brandi has been with me here at Mudworks since 2003. She is the greatest and I couldn't run Mudworks without her. She is the mother of 2 beautiful girls, Maasai and Zoe. She also has crazy attitude on rollerskates (aka "Surley Temple", rollerderby queen). She is a native of Lexington, but has travelled the US extensively and picked many a blueberry. I couldn't ask for a better manager! brandi@kentuckymudworks.com
Says Brandi:
Aw schucks, I couldn't ask for a better job, a little more heat in the winter--but I guess you can't have it all. We always have a blast at work. I can truly say "I love my job!" And I love our customers too. I learn something new everyday from them! However, if you ask us to sculpt you a goat's head or a life size manger scene for your parade float....I can only say "We do offer handbuilding classes year-round."
Tony Aiken
Hand builder, mold maker and token male employee. I started hanging around Kentucky Mudworks sometime in 2003. Years ago I made my living as a model maker. Working with clay and molds gives me the opportunity to explore my art using some of the technical skills that I enjoyed in my former vocation.
Working at Mudworks is great. The Dirty Girls are quite skilled at coming up with things that need building, doing, and fixing. Mudworks has a creative atmosphere and is a great place to learn about clay and ceramics. Come by and let us show you. Questions about plaster? Ask Tony: tony@kentuckymudworks.com
Link says: I know I don't tell Tony enough how much he really contributes to Mudworks. He's a rare find who puts up with me! And he gets my sense of humor!
Susan Burge
Susan was a pottery student at Mudworks for about 2 years, then she ventured off into her own studio to make and sell her own beautiful pottery! Susan was a student back in 2001 when I first started Mudworks. It's been a long road!
Maximus Juno & Bill Bailey
Max is my beautiful brown puppy dog who refuses to behave most of the time. It's a good thing he's cute.... Bill Bailey is my sweet yellow baby dog who is sweeter than treacle, unless you are the UPS driver. They are in charge of security and choosing our monthly deals! They love to get e-biscuits from admirers as well as sale requests. maxbill@kentuckymudworks.com
Our location
Kentucky Mudworks is located at 825 National Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky. Our new home is in a 100-year old renovated warehouse that was built by the Martha White flour company. To reach our shop you can take the US60 exit off I-64/75. Turn towards the Speedway and Cracker Barrel. Travel about 3 miles toward town. Right after the JIF/Smuckers Factory turn left onto Walton Avenue. Take an immediate left onto National Avenue. We are at the end of the block on the left just before the stop sign. We have parking on the side, in front, and around back! If you are travelling into town on Richmond Rd (US27) Turn right onto Walton Avenue, go 3/4 mile and turn right onto National Avenue.
