About Us
Our Mission
By removing barriers to participation, we seek to cultivate a diverse community of clay artists in the eastern Ohio / western Pennsylvania region through education, public outreach, artist promotion, collaboration, resources and support.
Our Vision
To establish and grow, through cooperation, shared experiences within and around a central cooperative clay studio; a vibrant regional community of clay artists.
Our Pillars
Our five pillars guide our approach to everything we do with intention.
Inviting • Connecting • Learning • Uplifting • Reaching
WHO WE ARE
As a guild, we prioritize pooling our resources—whether time, experience, or funds—to create opportunities and experiences that benefit us all.
We're not a company providing a service; we're a community built on collaboration; not transactions. Our focus is on fostering meaningful relationships that empower every member to grow, create, and thrive together.
Our Story
PennOhio Clay Guild was founded in 2022 by three people - its founding members - who were frustrated with the traditional rigidity of clay arts programs available to most hobbyists and aspiring artists. Hours and fees for participation were problematic, and most offerings focused on beginner level education. They had all faced barriers to participation and artistic growth in the past, and the creation of the guild was a genuine grassroots effort to bring people together who might not otherwise have access to the resources needed in order to dive in to this realm.
We knew that there were other folks out there who might be looking for something similar - thus began the journey to create a formal guild, bringing clay artists from our region together in a learning community.
Between 2022 and 2024, the guild's influence grew significantly, engaging 60 to 100 artists and connecting them with essential resources for their development. We offered community education through numerous free Raku and wheel-throwing demonstrations, as well as outreach initiatives with church groups, scout troops, and other organizations. The launch of the Artist Market Vendor Experience program allowed artists to market their work, acquire business skills, and earn direct income. Additionally, our partnerships with local businesses provided opportunities for artists to create branded merchandise, learn production processes, and strengthen community ties. We also introduced an Artist in Residence program and ensured 24/7 access to a fully equipped community studio, with many more initiatives underway!
In August 2024, POCG purchased a historic building in downtown New Castle, PA, a striking and sizable space with room to grow into everything we envision for our community. We got to work right away, transforming it into our main headquarters, studio, and programming space. It now houses our main clay studio, artist suites, a makerspace, and more.
And that's just the beginning! We're continuing to build out the space, taking a deliberate, phased approach, bringing new spaces, programs, and resources online as we go, so every addition is thoughtful, well built, and built to last.
Project: Starfish is the name of our strategic plan to remodel the building and increase our offerings. To learn more about our plans and how you can get involved, click the button below for more information.
Contact Us
Have general questions or need to get in touch? Use the form below!
If you're interested in becoming a member, the best way to start is by calling us at (724) 201-1989
43 S. Jefferson Street
New Castle, PA 16101
724-201-1989
