Artist & Educator Bio

Katie Lalic, owner and artist behind Simply Mud Studios, is an artist and art educator with over a decade of experience teaching visual arts across all grade levels. She currently teaches high school sculpture and ceramics, encouraging students to explore creative problem-solving, craftsmanship, and personal expression through hands-on studio experiences.

As both a practicing artist and educator, Katie is passionate about bridging the gap between classroom instruction and authentic artistic practice. Her work in sculpture and ceramics emphasizes form, material exploration, and the tactile relationship between artist and medium. In the classroom, she focuses on building strong foundational skills while empowering students to take creative risks and develop their own artistic voice.

In addition to teaching, Katie shares resources and insights from her classroom through her blog, where she publishes curriculum, lesson ideas, and reflections on art education. Her goal is to support fellow educators by providing practical, engaging approaches to teaching art that foster creativity, technical growth, and meaningful studio experiences for students.

Through both her teaching and her artwork, Katie believes that art education should inspire curiosity, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for making.