Organizer Information
Core Clay is a prominent, privately owned ceramics destination and retail supplier based in Norwood, Ohio. Serving a dynamic community of over 100 clay artists, the sprawling facility houses active pottery wheels, production kilns, a dedicated public sales gallery, and a comprehensive retail wing providing tools, raw glaze chemicals, and specialized machinery. Core Clay acts as a vital creative center for the greater Cincinnati region, organizing visiting artist workshops, public kiln openings, and collaborative exhibitions.
Title & Description
Core Clay Artist-In-Residence (AIR) Program.
This program provides a launching pad for emerging ceramic artists looking to bridge the gap between academic training and a sustainable professional studio career. Designed to cultivate a balance between creative experimentation and practical trade skills, the residency embeds creators within a high-traffic, supportive community network. Residents work alongside established wheel throwers, hand-builders, and slip casters, refining their technical production while gaining invaluable backend experience in arts management, glaze chemistry, kiln maintenance, and retail inventory systems.
Program Formats:
To remain responsive to different artistic trajectories, Core Clay administers two distinct residency pathways:
Track 1: One-Year Residency
A comprehensive 12-month immersion centered around creative research, professional development, and retail training.
- Weekly Obligations: Fulfill 11 hours per week working in the commercial clay shop (formulating glazes, creating plaster forms, managing inventory, and assisting retail customers) and dedicate a minimum of 5 hours per week to individual studio work.
- Milestones: Moderate weekly Clay Club community events, teach at least one class or public workshop of your choice, and organize a solo gallery exhibition showcasing your developed body of work.
Track 2: Short-Term Residency (1 to 3 Months)
An intensive, production-focused sprint available throughout the calendar year.
- Weekly Obligations: Dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week working in the studio on your personal collection and maintain a set schedule for open studio hours.
- Milestones: Moderate weekly Clay Club sessions and teach at least one class or technical workshop.
Categories
Ceramics / Pottery, Sculpture, Crafts / Traditional Arts.
Eligibility
- Scope: Open to domestic and international ceramic artists, instructors, and pottery makers at the beginning stages of their career tracks.
- Logistics: Applicants must be ready to relocate to the Norwood/Cincinnati metropolitan area for the designated duration of their track.
Program Benefits and Material Perks
- Free Workspace & Firing: Complete access to studio facilities, a personal workspace, and free raw kiln firings (within reasonable production levels) throughout the term.
- Materials at Cost: Access to all clay bodies, commercial tools, and glaze materials at baseline wholesale cost.
- Housing Accommodations: Opportunities for entirely free residential housing (offered on a strict limited-availability basis in exchange for operational studio labor).
- Marketplace Access: Direct avenues to exhibit, promote, and sell finished ceramic works through Core Clay’s holiday sales, boutique galleries, and events.
- Professional Credentials: Complimentary membership to the regional Clay Alliance of Greater Cincinnati, free entry to all high-level visiting masterclass workshops (in exchange for event prep labor), and direct job placement connections to local clay businesses.
Fees
- Application Fee: None (Free to submit across all cycles).
Application Requirements
Dossiers can be transmitted electronically via email or processed via physical mail (minus the digital form template). Submissions require:
- Work Portfolio: 20 high-quality digital JPEG images documenting your current body of work.
- Professional Resume (CV): Up to date, highlighting ceramic education, technical facility, workshops, and exhibitions.
- Letters of Recommendation: 3 structural references from established ceramic artists, master potters, or academic instructors.
- Statement of Goals: A brief text mapping out your objectives. One-year applicants should outline what they expect to gain from the community; short-term applicants must specify their desired residency duration (1–3 months), intended project scope, and a projected studio schedule.
How to Apply?
Fulfill the web-based registration form, pack your portfolio folder, and dispatch your combined data elements to studio@coreclay.com or mail them to the physical headquarters.
Key Dates & Selection Blocks
One-Year Residency: Fall Cycle
- Application Deadline: June 1, 2026
- Notification Window: July 2026.
- Residency Dates: September 1, 2026 – August 1, 2027.
One-Year Residency: Spring Cycle
- Application Deadline: January 1st annually.
- Notification Window: February.
- Residency Dates: March 1st – February 1st.
Short-Term Residency (1–3 Months)
- Application Deadline: Ongoing / Open Year-Round. Submissions are reviewed continuously based on immediate studio availability.
Location
United States, Norwood, OH (Core Clay, Attn: Emily Hobart, 3846 Montgomery Road, 45112/45212).
Additional Details
For targeted questions regarding specific kiln firing temperatures, glaze materials availability, or housing accommodations waitlists, contact the administrative office at 513-351-0036.