Have you ever had a dream or desire to express yourself and inspire others in your community? Have you ever looked around your town and wished there was a place to take your kids where they can express their creativity? Vicki Snell, long time owner of the Mud Mill in Lodi, has had this exact experience and graciously shared her story with us!
“Back when I first opened the Mud Mill, there wasn’t as much to do with small kids locally as there is now.” Vicki and her kids had spent plenty of time at nearby parks and the new movie theater in town-however, it still felt like something was missing. She observed firsthand in her own home that her children greatly enjoyed arts and crafts and it was also her favorite part of teaching her students when she was a preschool teacher. This sparked a deep desire in her to find a way to incorporate Art into the Lodi Community.
Over two decades ago, Vicki came across an art studio during a visit to Arizona. It was similar to the one she runs today. She remembers it vividly stating, “It was called ‘As You Wish.’ It was bright, fun, and my daughter wanted to spend hours there.” When she and her family returned home, Vicki couldn’t get the studio off her mind. It was her brother who eventually convinced her to pursue her dream of beginning her business.
Deciding to open up a pottery studio was not an easy process for Vicki. There were doubts and roadblocks that left her conflicted at times, and even a few people who expressed their concerns about the future of her new business venture. As much as she may have wanted to reverse her decision, Vicki remembers telling herself , “I can’t back out. I can’t let them down.” Ultimately, with the help and support of her family, she pushed through and persisted in opening The Mud Mill and has never looked back!
With the 19 year anniversary of the Mud Mill just around the corner, Vicki has taken some time to reflect on the highlights of her time as owner and operator. We asked her to share her fondest memories of the past two decades. “When I was starting out, I knew my business would have to be one that I could bring my kids to. Around the same time that I opened my business, another business owner moved into the space next door, and she had small kids too…her two youngest and mine spent many summers in the little room here in my studio, watching movies, eating popcorn, and playing around the planters between the two businesses.”
Vicki finds great joy in watching families in the community make memories in her studio only to revisit years later and reminisce about the time spent there. “I used to have this one little boy (years ago) who would come into the shop frequently with his mom to paint pottery. Many years later, a young man walks in here and starts looking around the display shelves and suddenly exclaims, ‘Hey, you’re still here! And the pizza plate I painted so long ago-it’s still here too!’ Then he gave me a big hug and it’s these kinds of moments that I look back on.”
She mentioned something that really resonated with us. She said, “There are so many missed opportunities of being able to spend quality time.” So when she sees people come in, whether it is a group of friends, spouses for a date night, or an outing with the kiddos…..you see them sitting together, being creative, conversations fill the room, and you have an end result of a completed art piece that you will cherish. She gets to witness the bonding that happens and the memories that are being made and that is one of her most favorite things to come out of having this business.
The Mud Mill offers hands-on fun for all ages and groups! We want to take this time to wish The Mud Mill and Vicki Snell a very HAPPY 19 year Anniversary and we look forward to celebrating and enjoying this special art studio for many many years to come. 
Be sure to check out our Macaroni Kid calendar where you will find all the events and special promotions happening at the Mud Mill.
The 19th Anniversary Party at the Mud Mill will be held on Saturday, January 21st from 10am-5:30pm. Make sure to call to reserve a time slot for this special event. Studio Fees will be ½ off that day and there will be snacks and door prizes.
