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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.

 

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

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Hours of Operation:

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

9:00am-7:00pm Sat

12:00pm-6:00pm Sun

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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.)

Sam Buganski

Daily Operations Manager  |  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.

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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'Neal

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

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. 

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Veronica (Vern) 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

Alondra Biberos

Social Media Manager | 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

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.

Zania Hasty

Artist In Residence | She/Her

Zania joined our studio as a member after graduating from Miami University with a degree in Art Education and Art Therapy. She has since become an artist-in-residence, and is exploring means of making and decorating pieces. Lately, she’s been focusing on marbling clay bodies and practicing larger forms.

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Beth Loudenberg

Short Term Artist in Residence | 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.”

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Alexa Blanchard

DAAP Co-Op Intern  |  She/Her

Alexa is joining us for the 2024 Spring semester to complete an internship for her Bachelor's at University of Cincinnati.

 

"As a multimedia artist, I am deeply passionate about exploring a wide range of artistic mediums, including photography, painting, and ceramics."

Donate Today

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

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