Inside a converted airplane hangar in Georgetown, the rhythmic hum of pottery wheels fills the air every Wednesday evening — and for Seattle's healthcare workers, the session is completely free. Clayborn Studio, founded by ceramicist and former nurse Megan Aoki, has been offering what she calls "Mud Therapy" to nurses, doctors, EMTs, and other frontline workers since November.
"I spent 15 years in the ER at Harborview," Aoki said, her hands coated in wet clay as she demonstrated a centering technique to a group of new students. "I know what burnout looks like. When I left nursing to pursue ceramics full-time, I felt this incredible release. I wanted to share that."
The Wednesday sessions draw between 15 and 25 participants, many of them coming straight from shifts at nearby hospitals. Participants learn basic hand-building and wheel-throwing techniques in a no-pressure environment, with all materials provided. Aoki and two assistant instructors guide the sessions, but emphasize that the process matters more than the product.
"I came in completely stressed after a 12-hour shift and left feeling like a different person," said Marcus Chen, a respiratory therapist at Virginia Mason. "There's something about working with clay — you can't think about anything else. Your hands just take over." Chen has been attending weekly since December and recently gifted his first completed bowl to his mother.
The program is funded through a combination of Clayborn's regular class revenue and a grant from the Seattle Office of Arts & Culture. Aoki plans to expand the offering to include teachers and social workers by spring, and is exploring partnerships with local hospitals to bring portable pottery sessions directly into break rooms.
Healthcare workers can sign up for Wednesday Mud Therapy sessions at claybornstudio.com or by visiting the studio during open hours Thursday through Sunday. Follow @claybornstudio on Instagram for schedules and student work showcases.