Clay At Our Core: A Pottery Podcast
Episodes
Episode 167: 2025 in the Glaze Kitchen
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rounding the corner of the winter solstice, "Clay at Our Core" brings Glaze Boss Mason Deane into the Vault at Core Clay to talk about the y...
Episode 166: How to move beyond the basics
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back from a week off, Anne talks with Core Clay instructors Rebecca Jogan and Beth Loudenberg about how potters can expand their tool kits wth the stu...
Episode 165: Rolling like thunder into December
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A fresh all-studio notes edition, with details on December Clay Club events and what's going on in the Mason Gallery. Please support local busines...
Episode 164: What's up in the Mason Gallery, with Robyn!
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the year-end holidays fast upon us, Mason Gallery Director Robyn Singerman walks Anne through the schedule of the trunk shows and what's comi...
Episode 163: Report on Empty Bowls
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Anne drops the good results from the Empty Bowls fundraiser by the Clay Alliance; plus a new feature, Clio's Corner, about important moments in th...
Episode 162: Why this trunk show is key to the Cult Pastor
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Davis has been on the DL much of a year, and her recovery has been long, slow, often painful. But she got back to the wheel last month like the ...
Episode 161: About Dave the Potter
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Mostly studio notes but also the reading of a story from the New York Times last week about the first act of artistic restitution for work by enslaved...
Episode 160: Rebecca Jogan, dancing with clay
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome (back), Rebecca! The freshly minted BFA from the University of Cincinnati returns to the studio a fully made employee, and she talks about her...
Episode 159: All studio news edition
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Updates on the holiday firing schedule, the parking situation around Core Clay and more. Even poor little "Clay at Our Core" got swallowed i...
Episode 158: Report from Muncie, Indiana!
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In which Cult Pastor Laura Davis and her fact-finding team visit the Indiana Clay conference to learn what can be done to make an Ohio Clay conference...
Episode 157: Great show, kids!
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Robyn Singerman's vision of a members' show for October came into focus with "Enchanted Arts," and it is beguiling! Also, Anne gives...
Episode 156: Welcome, Libby Brown!
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay's newest artist in residence, Libby Brown, shares her background (Defiance, Ohio!) and her first impressions of our happy little playgro...
Episode 155: Mathew Arnold's tale of the tape
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Cincinnati potter Mathew Arnold pulls in nearly 500,000 followers across his social media channels who watch his explorations of tape resist in potter...
Episode 154: Cult Pastor rides over to Crockery City, Ohio
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Davis reports on her road trip to East Liverpool, Ohio, home of Mason Stains, which Core Clay stocks in all the beautiful colors. Also, Anne unv...
Episode 153: Zig Main's pet portrait
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay's three-week classes really stretch potters such as Zig Main, a studio member who took Vern Lash's pet portraits class and discovere...
Episode 152: How to price your pottery
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With the epic members' show coming up in October, we can all use a little instruction or refresher on a much-maligned task of pottery: pricing. He...
Episode 151: Hannah and her show
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Artist in residence Hannah Bundschuh describes the work that went into her solo show in the Mason Gallery: "Inevitability." Plus, Anne says:...
Episode 150: Kari Armbruster on clay, life and running for office
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As a Xavier University student, Kari Armbruster lived in the neighborhood of peace-loving Norwood, Ohio, that Core Clay now calls home. Now Kari is a ...
Episode 149: Studio notes and some Joseph Campbell
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's coming up around Core Clay in August, and a passage from the mythologist about pottery that sounds eerily familiar.
Episode 148: The Cult Pastor on how to be an artist in residence
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Plus some catch up around the studio and an apology from Anne about last week.
Episode 147: Farewell to our do-it-all, Sam Jayne
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An exit interview with Sam Jayne, who in two years at Core Clay has performed great acts of transformation to make the place a better studio for every...
Episode 146: Hannah Bundschuh on how to make wedding favors
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Friend of the podcast and Core Clay artist in residence Hannah Bundschuh is getting married on Halloween. And every potter knows what that means: Yes,...
Episode 145: Sarah Horn, building a life on plates
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Longtime Cincinnati-area potter Sarah Horn, a longtime friend of Core Clay and a teacher of more than 20 years, is on an artist's residency in the...
Episode 144: London Glover, learning to teach Date Night
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Most potters think they don't have whatever it takes to pass on the art form. London Glover got over that imposter syndrome and has found a place ...
Episode 143: Kendall Taylor, potter and rising veterinarian
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Kendall Taylor discusses with Anne how she balances her pottery practice, where she does enough to show at markets, with her studies to ...
Episode 142: How to find the sculptor within, with Sara Petticrew
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Maybe you came to the studio just to handbuild, or the learn the wheel. Studio Member Sara Petticrew discussed the value of pushing past the comfortab...
Episode 141: How to stay late at Core Clay, by Laura Davis
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a privilege to hold after-hour access to Core Clay. Cult Pastor Laura Davis explains the evolution of the policy over the studio's 20 yea...
Episode 140: Bye-bye, Buganski
26 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In which "Clay at Our Core" conducts the exit interview for "Vibes Manager" S. Buganski, who is leaving Core Clay after four years...
Episode 139: Mason Deane on peace with glaze
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been using the Core Clay house glazes, you noticed that the supply got thin through the winter and early spring. Glaze Boss Mason Deane ...
Episode 138: You need a studio cat in your life.
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
More studio notes and other items of interest for Core Clay members, including a heart-wrenching appeal for a mudbug to come and take home the kitties...
Episode 137: Report from Spring Fair
05 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Your correspondent delivers an on-the-scene report from the Spring Pottery Fair, where Cincinnati's pottery heads laughed at the all ... day ... r...
Episode 136: Autumn McKay on her trip to NCECA
28 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spring Fair is this Saturday! Also, artist in residence Autumn McKay describes her experience at this year's NCECA.
Episode 135: Yes, it's that Spring Pottery Fair feeling in the air!
21 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Tracy Iliff, longtime organizer of the Spring Pottery Fair, stops by "Clay at Our Core" to drop all the details of this amazing event. More than 40 ce...
Episode 134: On the Road to NCECA
14 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You don't have to imagine the car trip to Salt Lake City with Laura Davis, Erika NJ Allen and Hannah Bundschuh. It really happened, to go to NCECA...
Episode 133: Austin Deal on the magic of Baker Hunt
07 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"Clay at Our Core" takes you across the Ohio River to talk with Austin Deal, the programming director at the Baker Hunt Art and Cultural Cen...
Episode 132: Transfers with Aaron Kent and Mike O'Neal
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay teachers Aaron Kent and Mike O'Neal team up for a three-week class that will show you how to make transfers with the silk-screening process ...
Episode 131: A handbook PDF on making clay most accessible
24 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
About six months ago, Core Clay stalwarts Sam Jayne and Saya Amend brainstormed on how to make clay more accessible, no matter what you bring to the w...
Episode 130: Yet another pug mill update, happy ending version!
17 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Last week's optimism about the pug mill was short-lived, but Hannah Bundschuh brings an update on the repairs, and we think this time, it'll t...
Episode 129: The Pug Mill
10 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Cult Pastor and Vern Lash tell the tale of the pug mill.
Episode 128: How clay saved Emrys Falco's life
03 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The newest employee at Core Clay, Emrys Falco, shares with "Clay at Our Core" how they came to clay: "It saved my life." The power...
Episode 127: Abby Fadel, finding her way into pottery
24 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Abby Fadel of Goshen, Kentucky, is the current DAAP co-op student at Core Clay from the University of Cincinnati. She's doing a lot of cleaning at...
Episode 126: Into the snow
17 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In which Anne ruminates about QuickBooks taking over the world, but also reminds that a Core Clay gift certificate is always a welcome gift for a mudb...
Episode 125: Vern Lash and the power of sculpture
10 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay's own Vern Lash discusses her pet portrait class (closed now, but running again in July!) and muses on the meaning of sculpture for her....
Episode 124: Studio update
03 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
No artist interview, but updates on the pug mill, the washing machine and the new slate of "next step" classes at Core Clay.
Episode 123: The Sams and the art of "Looking"
27 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay's own Sam Buganski and Sam Jayne discuss their collaborative show, "Looking," opening Saturday, Feb. 1. in the Mason Gallery. ...
Episode 122: The insight of Cassandra Jones
13 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Cassandra Jones, blind since before she was 10, has developed a practice at Core Clay to find the artist inside her.
Episode 121: Laura Davis, how did you do this?
06 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay turns 20 years old in 2025, and the podcast kicks off a yearlong commemoration of all the people who make the studio such an amazing place. ...
Episode 120: The dancing threads of Lex Jahne
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A longtime pal of the Cult Pastor, Lex Jahne is a fiber artist in Cincinnati who just had a trunk show in the Mason Gallery. She offers some times on ...
Episode 119: Ken Lay and the restoration of discovery
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Ken Lay came to Core Clay earlier this year with more than passing knowledge about ceramics. But his hobby was restoration. Now he's dis...
Episode 118: White couch in a pottery studio:
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Catching up on some stray threads: why is Wrapped so weird, who puts a white couch in a pottery studio, some studio notes. Also, the gallery looks ama...
Episode 117: Russ Laycock, factotum
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A longtime friend of the Cult Pastor, Russ Laycock is a Cincinnati contractor who has given his expert touch to our home in peace-loving Norwood. He b...
Episode 116: The art of Emily Hobart's ceramic jewelry
25 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay studio manager Emily Hobart has a passion for making ceramic jewelry. She's teaching a three-week course on the skill and technique of this ...
Episode 115: Pugging with love from Hannah and Vern
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recycling our midfire clay is a massively labor-intensive process, but Hannah Bundschuh and Vern Lash make it look easy. But it's not.
Episode 114: Gallery Director Robyn Singerman
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robyn Singerman explains what's happening to the Mason Gallery of Crafts and Fine Arts and the gallery store. The goal: Make the corner of Montgomery ...
Episode 113: Sara Petticrew on what you find in clay
04 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A Core Clay studio member, Sara Petticrew is a regular participant in the free Clay Club events. She says she finds consolation in her clay practice. ...
Episode 112: Payne Fleming, exploring what comes naturally
28 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The series of conversations with Core Clay artists in residence continues with Payne Fleming, who is spending her gift of time exploring in clay how t...
Episode 111: How to get good at social media, from Jessica Connor
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you want people to see your pottery, and to buy it, you have to get good at social media. Core Clay studio member Jessica Connor discusses how she ...
Episode 110: Welcome Gabriella Bourgeois
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Another in the conversations with Core Clay's artists in residence: Gabriella Bourgeois
Episode 109: Last class
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
They finished their six-week beginner wheel-throwing class. What did they learn? (Hint: Not as much as the teacher.)
Episode 108: Mark Young, from the pulpit to pottery
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Mark Young describes his journey from youth minister to bourbon salesman to ceramic artist. Also featuring Moose,
Episode 107: Adapting the studio to the artist
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Saya Amend (pronounced AY-mend) comes to Core Clay on an internship from the University of Cincinnati with some insights into how ceramics studios can...
Episode 106: Why a young artist chooses Core Clay
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of our new artists in residence, Autumn McKay, discusses her path into ceramic art and what she would like to accomplish her one year at Core Clay...
Episode 105: Good-bye, Alondra!
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's a tough thing to say good-bye to someone who has grown and matured as an artist right before your eyes. But our own Alondra Biberos drops in ...
Episode 104: Clay vs. COVID-19 (clay wins!)
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your clay pal went mano a mano with stupid old COVID-19, so no artist interview this week, but some excellent news bits about awards and upcoming clas...
Episode 103: Bonnie McNett on the whistle stop
19 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Potter Bonnie McNett of Loveland's Whistle Stop Clay Works, and a longtime friend of Core Clay talks about her path to becoming a ceramic artist a...
Episode 102: Emily Dake on how to make art accessible, at Indigo Hippo
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member and Core Clay teacher Emily Dake has a day job -- running the innovative Indigo Hippo, a store that recycles and repurposes art supplies...
Episode 101: How to jump from 2D art to ceramics
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Aminata Chaim, a student at the Art Academy of Cincinnati, is bringing her bubbling personality to Core Clay as a short-term artist in residence.
Episode 100: Erika NJ Allen and the two-week residency
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Erika NJ Allen says residencies don't have to a year long, or even a month long. She says she got a big bounce in her art from two w...
Episode 99: Take all the classes, says studio member Jenny Burwinkel
22 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“It’s less about what we’re making. The class is built around what skills are we learning per week, and then we have the freedom to design the o...
Episode 98: How to listen to the yes in your heart
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Your clay pal does almost all the talking, mudbug, as she submits to the same grilling she gives all guests of “Clay at Our Core.”
Episode 97: How to screen print on clay, with Sarah Horn
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A high school art teacher and friend of Core Clay, Sarah Horn talks about the three-week course she’ll lead in August on putting images on clay.
Episode 96: How to be brave with your surfaces
01 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kansas City potter Meredith Host shares with the podcast her techniques for making surfaces the real standout of her pottery.
Episode 95: Alexa Blanchard, finding her way to clay
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
“With clay,” says Alexa Blanchard, “you can venture out and do so many different things.”
Episode 94: Creating mid-range glazes with artist Nancy Sowder, Richmond, Virginia
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Nancy Sowder, bringing branches of her life together to make mid-range glazes with Speedball
Episode 93: Bugs of clay
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artist in residence Zania Teman explores her love of insects in her Mason Gallery exhibition.
Episode 92: The gift of time in the studio
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Beth Loudenberg describes the value of her three-month artist’s residency at Core Clay. For one thing, she built big.
Episode 91: Ashes to ash glaze
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Glaze Wizard Mason Deane describes making a glaze with the cremains of our pal Nicholaus Westerkamp, to be used at a special Clay Club May 21.
Episode 90: Sam Buganski on the benefits of travel on his pottery.
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sam, a manager at Core Clay, went to North Carolina for a two-week residency and found that a change of scenery challenged him.
Episode 89: Meet Sarah Gabel, our next short-term artist in residence.
29 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Plus, one more big plug for the Spring Pottery Fair, and one for a special Clay Club: Ashes to Ash Glaze.
Episode 88: Dennis Allen gets you ready for the Spring Pottery Fair
22 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Confused about selling at market? Give a llisten to a guy who’s done them all and does them well: Dennis Allen of Lebanon, Ohio.
Episode 87: Countdown to the Spring Pottery Fair May 4
15 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trish Mclennan, co-chairwoman of the 23rd annual fair, breaks it all down for you: Don’t miss it! East Walnut Hills will rock with all the art.
Episode 86: Clay Club makes you smarter!
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our own Sam Jayne reports on how Clay Club helps you expand your clay horizons.
Episode 85: NCECA in Richmond and a sense of history made
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay’s contingent to the annual pottery conference returns exhilarated about what they witnessed.
Episode 84: Aiden Prince, learning on his own
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the senior at Cincinnati’s School of Creative and Performing Arts, the future could mean pottery … or firefighting.
Episode 83: “Clay listens,” Erika NJ Allen, NCECA presenter
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Erika NJ Allen, a Core Clay artist in residence, tells her remarkable journey to clay
Episode 82: Want to make wedding favors? Listen here first.
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Seems easy, the wedding favor. But Debbie and Monica Phipps learned otherwise. Here’s how they made 160 trinket dishes for Monica’s wedding.
Episode 81: Donita Parrish Debono, armoring up with clay
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Donita Parrish Debono makes connections between her legal work and her clay art.
Episode 80: A reunion, thanks to the global minerals shortage
26 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leslie Hutchings Miller is a potter in Worcester, Massachusetts, who needed some clay. She came all the way to peace-loving Norwood for it. Also, she’...
Episode 79: Yes, you can sell your pottery, Part Two-O
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Roundtable talk with two Core Clay artists who are good at selling their art. You can be, too!
Episode 78: Yes, you can sell your pottery, part one
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Studio members Noah Desch, Randy Folz and Dana Makstaller offer tips and tricks to marketing your pottery.
Episode 77: Alondra Biberos and her neighborhood watch
05 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Artist, teacher, social media queen Alondra Biberos lifts the curtain on her first solo show, at the Mason Gallery.
Episode 76: Capturing pottery with pixels
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Core Clay photographer Robin Singerman gives some tips to improve your photos of your wares. Watch those shadows!
Season Two, Episode 75: “This might be the actual oldest profession.”
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Davis, owner of Core Clay, gives her state of the studio address as the podcast marks a year.
Episode 74: Wibbles and wobbles with Lily Malone
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lily Malone uses her clay practice to explore techniques and designs. She made her brother a sake set, too.
Episode 73: Molly Kavanaugh’s beginner’s mind
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Molly Kavanaugh just finished her first beginner hand-building class, and she has some thoughts.
Episode 72: Rosie Bentley, teacher and student
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learning to be patient with others and with herself is a big lesson for Rosie Bentley in the studio.
Episode 71: Bon voyage
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In which we hear Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s “The Song of the Potter.” For our patron saint, Nicholaus Haar Westerkamp.
Episode 70: From Noah Desch’s kiln into his oven.
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How studio member Noah Desch married his clay skills and his cooking skills. Also: details on the Nicholaus Westerkamp memorial Dec. 28 at Core Clay. ...
Episode 69: Nick Robson and the moon jar. Also: a word about Nicholaus Westerkamp.
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Studio member Nick Robson balances her weekdays as a senior at Wyoming High School and her weekends as a Core Clay member. Also: Nicholaus Westerkamp....
Episode 68: Cosmo Philpott and his Hawaiian Red
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Like many new potters, Cosmo Philpott says his practice teaches him the virtue of patience.