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About Us

Core Clay has been serving the city of Cincinnati since 2005. Through its many transformations over the last 17 years, we have worked diligently to build a clay studio ready to serve the needs of our ceramics community. Originally founded in the neighborhood of Walnut Hills by owner Laura Davis, Core Clay has been dedicated to education, outreach, and service.


It is this mission that we bring with us to our new location and neighborhood of Norwood. After outgrowing our original building, we officially moved to our new home on Montgomery Road in our 15th year of operation. With the move, we now have the opportunity to achieve the dreams that were previously so unobtainable. Such as our new Bailey gas kiln, new electric kilns, event space, private classrooms, and an overall increase in space and resources for every department within Core Clay.  

Click here to find out more about the classes and services we offer.

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At this time all of our employees have now received their COVID vaccinations and booster shots.

Retail/Studio: 1912 Hudson Ave.

Gallery: 3846 Montgomery Rd.

Norwood, OH 45212

Hours of Operation:

10:00am-9:00pm Mon-Fri

9:00am-7:00pm Sat

10:00-6:00 Sun

About Us: Text

Our Staff

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Laura Davis

Owner  |  She/Her

Laura has been working in clay since 2002. Her work is influenced by stained glass windows, celtic designs, cut glass, and the state of our world. She has become a little obsessed with stencils lately.

Jane Lester

Keeper of Knowledge  |  She/Her

Jane was our second studio member when Core first opened . She makes Reiki infused pottery.


She has been known to frequent the Festival of Light shows around the Ohio area. She also keeps us sane at the studio. Without her, no one would know what to pay for their membership, the bills would go unanswered, and we would be in complete chaos.

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Emily Hobart

Studio Manager  |  She/Her

Emily started out here as an Artist in Residence, and we liked her so much, we asked her to stay. Emily currently acts as our Residency Director and Studio/Gallery Coordinator. (She helps a little bit with everything.)

Elizabeth Given

Kiln Boss  |  She/Her

Liz moved to Cincinnati after receiving her Masters at the University of Dallas. Liz has been a badass since arriving here at Core a week before the pandemic took us into lock-down. She's helped us tremendously as we've made our way through these weird days.

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Sam Buganski

Gallery Director  |  He/Him

Sam is a graduate from Otterbein University with a BA in Ceramics. He is currently making a body of work centering form, color, and texture.

Lexie Koch

Assistant Studio Manager  |  She/Her

Lexie moved to Cincinnati after she received her BFA in Crafts from Kutztown University in 2021.  She was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania which is where she took her first pottery class with her mom!

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Anne Saker

Quickbooks Wizard | She/her

Anne does so many behind-the-scenes things to make sure we stay afloat! She's an enthusiastic member of our staff that's ready and willing to jump in on any task. Before she made pots, she was a journalist for many years. Pictured alongside her is her best kitty, George.

Mike O'Neil

Instructor  |  He/Him

Mike specializes in functional stoneware and earthenware pieces with a focus towards surface decoration. He currently works as our Lead Instructor for Monday night beginner wheel classes.

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Dana Makstaller

Instructor  |  She/Her

Dana has been with us for years now! First as a beginner student, then as a member, and now she's teaching her own beginner wheel class. We're so happy to have helped Dana start her artistic journey in clay. Now, she's ready to help her students begin theirs.

Mason Deane

Studio Tech  |  They/Them

Mason came to Core Clay initially as a student co-op. At the end of the semester, we persuaded them to stay on as a part time employee while earning their BFA at the University of Cincinnati. Now Mason helps out with loading kilns, mixing glazes, and all-around functional.

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Veronica (Vern) Lash

Instructor | She/Her

Veronica is a student in her 5th year at Northern Kentucky University, pursuing a BFA in Spatial Art with a Minor in Digital Effects. Here, she helps out with general studio tasks and teaches Friday date nights and Thursday night beginner wheel.
Ceramic Specialty: Nasty Little Dudes

Alondra Biberos

Artist In Residence | She/Her

Alondra Biberos is a sculptor from the Pacific Northwest. Before moving to Cincinnati, she graduated with her BFA in 2019 from the University of Idaho. Her work often integrates human digits and household objects to create a satirical narrative.

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Darrin Simmons

Artist In Residence | He/Him

Darrin moved to Cincinnati after completing a residency at the Pittsburgh Center or Art and Media in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before that he attended University of Illinois for his BA and then Edinboro University in Pennsylvania where he received his MFA in ceramics. Much of his work explores narrative
vessels and figurative works based on everyday life.

Hannnah Bundschuh

DAAP Intern and Reclaim Enthusiast | She/Her

Hannah is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP program. She has a background in printmaking and she enjoys finding ways to incorporate this into her ceramics work. Her work often tackles conversations surrounding existential fear and anxiety, and as such she prefers to create functional pieces to bring those conversations into the everyday.

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About Us: Meet the Team

Artist-In-Residence Program

Core Clay offers both short-term and long-term positions. 
Applications are due on January 1st & June 1st

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About Us: Mission

Donate Today

Join our Patreon for studio perks or donate to our Herb Allen Scholarship Fund

About Us: Text
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Undergrad Co-Op Program

Join the Team

We're happy to offer undergrad students, from a number of colleges in the Cincinnati area, the opportunity to complete their co-op internship here at Core Clay. If you're interested in applying please feel free to fill out the application below.

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Thanks for submitting!

About Us: Job Application
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