About Us
Core Clay has been serving the city of Cincinnati since 2005. Through its many transformations over the last 18 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. In early 2024, we opened our second location, Core Clay Loveland, in partnership with Whistlestop Clayworks.
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.
Norwood Retail/Studio: 1912 Hudson Ave.
Gallery: 3846 Montgomery Rd.
Norwood, OH 45212
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Hours of Operation:
10am-9pm Weekdays
9am-7pm Saturday
12pm-6pm Sunday
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Loveland Retail: 119 Harrison Ave
Loveland, OH 45140
Hours of Operation:
11am to 3pm Wednesday
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Our Staff
Laura Davis
Owner | She/Her
Laura has been working in clay for over two decades. While her work is constantly evolving, she's currently interested in hand-built forms for functional work for the Brew House, the restaurant she partners with her brother on. Her greatest joy comes from stacking plates and making the perfect mug for an individual coffee experience
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.
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.
Mason Deane
Glaze Wizard | They/Them
Mason came to Core Clay initially as a student co-op, where they helped with general studio tasks. After graduating from DAAP with a BFA in sculpture, and a few mysterious months learning the ways of the wizard, they now work to keep our studio and retail glazes flowing.
Veronica (Vern)Â Lash
Instructor | She/Her
Veronica recently graduated from Northern Kentucky University, with a BFA in Spatial Art with a Minor in Digital Effects. Here, she helps out with general studio tasks and teaches Monday nights and Thursday night beginner wheel.
Ceramic Specialty: Nasty Little Dudes
Samuel Jayne
Class Manager & Instructor | He/Him
Sam Jayne is a potter and sculptor specializing in figurative work. He graduated with a BFA from the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program in 2020. He currently organizes and adds classes to our programming so if you have an idea for a class you'd like to take let him know!
Darrin Simmons
Kiln Boss | 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.
Autumn McKay
Long Term A.I.R | She/Her
Autumn McKay is a ceramic artist from Louisville, Kentucky. She received her BFA from the University of Louisville in 2017. Since then, she has attended craft schools, participated in residency programs nationally and internationally, and recently studied as a post-bacc student at Indiana University Southeast (2021-23).
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Beth Loudenberg
Instructor | She/Her
Her ceramic work is an exploration of organic form and texture, inspired by the natural environment and her background in graphic design. “Hand-building allows me to develop a relationship with the piece, modifying or changing direction as the form dictates. While my work is inspired by personal experience and memory, I hope it triggers an emotional response for the viewer though our unknown, shared connections.”
Donate Today
Join our Patreon for studio perks or donate to our Herb Allen Scholarship Fund
(the fund is not a 501c3 and cannot be deducted from taxes)
