The Staff...
MUDDY MAGIC MAKERS!
Where Making a Mess is Fabulous!
Meet the Easons
Founders of Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio
Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio was built on a shared belief: that adults need meaningful, creative spaces where they can grow, connect, and rediscover themselves through making.
Rachelle Eason, artist and educator, founded the studio after decades of teaching and exhibiting her work. With a background in both fine art and education, she brings structure, encouragement, and a deep commitment to personal creative growth into every class and program. Her vision for Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio has always been about more than pottery. It is about building a creative home for adults in the Lakeland community.
Chris Eason, Rachelle's husband of over 36 years, supports that vision by strengthening the foundation beneath it. He oversees building services, maintenance, clay runs, and studio operations, ensuring the space remains functional, safe, and ready for creativity. His steady, behind-the-scenes leadership allows the studio to grow responsibly and sustainably.
As the studio expands into Colorworks, Chris steps into the role of Director of Colorworks & Materials Development, guiding the development and production of in-house mixed color clay and slip. Together, the Easons balance creativity and infrastructure ~ vision and execution ~ heart and structure.
Marvelous Mud reflects their shared commitment to craftsmanship, community, and steady, thoughtful growth.
Rachelle Eason
Founder, Creative Director,
Lead Instructor, Artist
Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio came to life through Rachelle’s long-held dream of creating a space where adults could experience the grounding, transformative nature of clay. From the very beginning, her vision was clear: build a studio where creativity, skill, and personal well-being intersect.
Clay has held Rachelle’s heart since childhood. While she has worked professionally across a variety of mediums for more than thirty years, ceramics has remained her steady throughline. Over the decades, she has exhibited her work in juried art exhibitions across the country, served as a Resident Artist at Walt Disney World, and taught in museums, galleries, and as an adjunct college professor.
But her deepest calling has always been teaching adults.
With a Master’s Degree in Education and a lifelong dedication to creative practice, Rachelle believes that learning should be structured yet encouraging, disciplined yet joyful. Her approach blends technical skill-building with reflection, curiosity, and the steady development of personal artistic voice.
Marvelous Mud reflects her belief that pottery is more than making objects. It is a path toward confidence, connection, and growth.
To learn more about Rachelle’s artistic journey, watch her PBS feature, explore her portfolio, or browse her shop through the link below.
Diana Harrison
Instructor & Studio Assistant
The creative connection between Diana and Rachelle began years ago, sparked by a shared love of clay and the kind of conversations only artists understand. For almost as long, they talked about working together someday. Marvelous Mud has become the joyful “clayground” where that dream finally landed.
As our Handbuilding Instructor, Diana brings a calm, steady energy to the studio. She’s known for helping students slow down, look closer, and trust their hands. Her artistic style leans toward organic forms, layered surfaces, and pieces that feel grounded and quietly expressive. She loves the subtle details—the curve of a rim, the texture of a carved surface, the way a simple form can hold presence.
In her own words...
Welcome! I’m Diana, an Instructor and Studio Assistant at Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio. I hope to guide others in finding joy, as I have, in pottery. Pottery is both fun and nurtures my creative spirit as an artist. I enjoy working with my hands and meeting new people at the pottery studio.
I have been taking classes with Rachelle for 9 years in a variety of art forms and for the last few years have been focused on pottery. During that time, I have deepened my love for pottery and creating in clay. I love expressing myself through clay and learning the different tips, tricks, and techniques!
In third grade. I made my first pinch pot. I didn’t venture into clay again for many years but quickly found I still have a love of Pinch Pots and all the things you can create with them. I am enjoying all the ways to create with clay! I look forward to being a part of your creative journey in clay!
Leo Arbonies
Throwing Instructor
Leo is a calm and patient creative, perfect for teaching the wheel to beginners! He is also extremely observant to detail and keen in understanding the engineering of form, perfect for facilitating potters through the expert level. Leo has quite an amazing talent for sgraffito too!
Leo and Rachelle met in January 2023 when he joined her Intro to Ceramics class at Polk Museum of Art. After those six weeks, he continued weekly in Rachelle's home studio classes and found that he really loved the wheel. Leo has consistently worked on the wheel and has grown in his talent incredibly fast.
By day, Leo is a master magician with auto body repair. He has a passion for speed and adventure, and seems to always be doing something fun! But it is love for flying RC planes that has earned him the title of "Captain." He has some fancy and large planes that are not only fun but come with some pretty great stories for him to tell!
When you meet Leo, you will get wrapped up in his easy going style and charm.
Molly Lippincott
Social Media Specialist & Studio Assistant
Molly is the creative force behind the lens at Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio. As our Social Media Specialist, she captures the heart and energy of the studio snapping photos, filming videos, and crafting lively, fabulous posts that showcase our members, classes, and everyday creative magic. She has a natural gift for turning kiln unloads, muddy hands, and joyful studio moments into stories that feel vibrant and inviting.
Beyond the screen, Molly keeps the studio humming. As Studio Assistant, she handles just about anything that’s thrown her way; inventory tracking, fulfilling orders, unloading kilns, refilling glazes, rearranging shelves and fixtures, creating samples, and overseeing the candle-making station. She is also the primary monitor for Open Studio sessions, helping ensure members feel supported and the space runs smoothly.
Molly’s enthusiasm, adaptability, and creative eye bring both structure and sparkle to Marvelous Mud. She helps tell our story... one post, one project, and one joyful moment at a time.
In her own words...
I started pottery with a sculpture workshop and still love sculptures the most! I find myself in every sculpture I’ve created, even when it seems like it is of a mundane, everyday object. I’ve painted my entire life and love to use those skills with my glazing. Every color reminds me of a past painting I’ve done or a memory that I’m inspired by.
My favorite color is pink and I sure do love to talk😂🤷♀️
Kyle Eason
Administrative Assistant
Kyle serves as the organizational backbone of Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio. As our Administrative Assistant, he manages inventory systems, compiles supply tracking, places material orders, and supports budget preparation to ensure the studio runs smoothly behind the scenes.
He also coordinates Open Studio registration scheduling and assists with operational planning, helping maintain the structure that allows our instructors and members to focus fully on creative growth. Kyle’s attention to detail and steady support contribute to the consistency and professionalism that define Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio.
His work may often happen behind the scenes, but it plays a vital role in sustaining the studio’s daily rhythm and long-term growth.
Chris Eason
Building Services, Operations &
Director of Colorworks
Chris is the steady force behind much of what keeps Marvelous Mud running smoothly. From building projects and studio maintenance to clay runs and supply oversight, he ensures the physical space supports the creative work happening inside it.
He manages studio materials and operational systems with care and precision, helping maintain the structure that allows instructors and members to focus on growth through clay. Whether it’s troubleshooting equipment, reorganizing systems, or strengthening the studio infrastructure, Chris approaches every task with reliability and long-term thinking.
As Marvelous Mud expands, Chris is stepping into a new leadership role as Director of Colorworks & Materials Development, where he will oversee the development, testing, and production of in-house mixed color clay and slip. His focus on consistency, quality, and process supports the continued evolution of our Colorworks program and its growing reach.
Chris’s work may often happen behind the scenes, but it plays a vital role in sustaining the strength, stability, and future vision of Marvelous Mud.
We hope you join us for a fabulous adventure into clay!
Check out all the classes, workshops, and membership opportunities by clicking below.
Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio • 4035 South Florida Avenue • Lakeland, Florida
Blue Sky Porcelain Collection
Click here for the story and to go straight to the limited edition collection!
Upon retirement I was looking forward to renewing my interest in art classes, especially hand-building in clay, which I loved in college and never had time for during my career. I had no idea how lucky I’d be to find Rachelle’s pottery workshops. She is the best instructor I’ve ever worked with. She’s inspiring, talented, knowledgeable and fun. I look forward to each class and the projects we make or the excellent advice she gives me when I fall down a rabbit hole and strike out on one of my own wonky projects. She’s kind, encouraging, creative and a true artist and lovely person. I love our class time. Thanks, Boss.
-Debra Coker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I can’t say enough good things about Rachelle Eason and her pottery classes. I would not have ever considered myself as an artsy person. But I have been a student of Rachelle’s for many years now. Artsy or not, it is such fun! It is great for stress management as well. You owe it to yourself to try a class or two. It will definitely get your creative juices flowing! It is self-care that goes above and beyond.💜
-Karen Chappell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Please join the email list to be notified when the next collection of
Fabulously Functional Pottery by Rachelle Eason is released.
Thank you!
Interested In Membership?
Dig Deep 4 Week Course
Pre-Requisite For Membership Invitation
Ages 18 and up
Registration via Website
In-Person Classes
Instruction focuses on introduction to handbuilding techniques of pinching, slabbing, and coiling
PLUS gives a taste of throwing on the pottery wheel!
This course* is a pre-requisite to being invited into membership at Marvelous Mud Pottery Studio.
*Alternative Courses are Available as A Prerequisite to Membership. Check out the Pottery Classes Page for Options.
