Meet Our Staff

Woman standing next to colorful ceramic sculptures.

Dolores Kirschner

Director, she/her/hers

Dolores Kirschner was born and raised in Philadelphia, growing up with her father, a plumber, and her mother, a stay-at-home mom to her and her 4 siblings. Dolores Kirschner received her BFA from the University of the Arts in 1977 with a concentration in glass and ceramics. For the last 20 years, she has been fully engaged in her work as the founder and director of Clay on Main, a rural arts-based non-profit in Oley, PA. Her work has been focused on social engagement and the growth of rural arts development. Kirschner has taught for many years in non-traditional environments such as Uppattinas, a democratic free school for students K-12 from 2006-2011. She continues to teach at the adult level in her work at Clay on Main

Person smiling in colorful, mosaic background.

Ray Lapinski

Assistant Director, They/Them/Theirs

Ray Lapinski graduated from Temple University with a BA in advertising with a concentration in Art Direction in 2022. They received their master's degree at Moore College of Art and Design for Socially Engaged Arts in 2023.

Ray is the founder and creative director of Skullduggery Studios, an alternative apparel and jewelry company. Because of this unique career path, Ray has experience in social media marketing, product design, graphic design, and sales. Additionally, Lapinski works for Clay on Main as an assistant director.

Driven by a desire to expand the conversation around art and history Lapinski is interested in accessibility to the arts first and foremost. As a disabled queer individual with years of advocacy experience, the inclusion of all individuals regardless of income, race, religion, or ability level is Ray’s passion.

Alizabeth “Lizzy” Wenrich

Instructor, she/her/hers

Lizzie found Clay on Main in fall of 2014 while she attended Kutztown University. She started her journey at the studio as an intern helping with studio maintenance and as an extra set of hands during classes. Upon graduating with a focus in ceramics, she began teaching foundations in clay as well as some intro to wheel throwing classes. Currently, she teaches a variety of classes to students of all different levels, while helping to keep the studio functioning as the Studio Coordinator. It has become her home away from home. She loves encouraging her students to challenge themselves and works closely with them to problem solve, innovate, and create. She believes that ceramics is for everyone and anyone so long as they have the motivation to try. Lizzie’s inspiration with clay centers from worlds of the mystical and unknown. She found her love for clay when she was 14 while taking a high school ceramics class and it has blossomed ever since. Lizzie enjoys the cathartic nature that working with clay brings and the repetition of creating forms that all start in a similar fashion before altering them to make each piece unique and different. While Lizzie can appreciate the skills and talent that go into production work, she prefers creating one of a kind pieces that personifies her individuality. From her large organic wall installations, sculpted mythical creatures, ouija board mobiles and wall hangings, rune sets and chakras, as well as her functional work, Lizzie strives to include a piece of herself and a love for the medium within everything she creates.

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Amanda Condict

2D Instructor, She/Her/Hers

Amanda Lee Condict has studied at Kutztown University, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Albright College, and Empire State College.

An illustrator and designer, Amanda has always worked in graphic arts and publishing– first as a product and fashion illustrator for Boscov’s department store; then as art director of County Magazine; and finally operating Condict and Company, a design and illustration studio which created catalogs, textbooks, and advertising collateral for a variety of clients, many of them in the fashion and beauty industries. Over the course of 30 years, her company grew to eight artists and several administrative staff before the recession of 2008 caused her to downsize. She then returned to her roots as a freelance illustrator while also teaching illustration and design in the fashion department at Albright College.

Woman smiling, wearing patterned sleeveless top.

Nancy Diaz-Metz

Ceramics Instructor, She/her/hers

Nancy grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, the seventh sister of a Peruvian/American family in the early 60’s. Her use of color and imagery is informed by her experiences growing up in a conservative Roman Catholic household and New England community. While drawn to the arts, careers in the arts and higher education were not initially supported.

Nancy has earned her M.A. from Antioch University in Leadership and Community Change (2007), Graduate Certificates in Conflict Engagement and Non-Profit Development (Antioch 2006, LaSalle University 2008), B.A. Goddard College, Vermont, Early Elementary Education (1995), A.S. Early Childhood Education (1993). Nancy has pursued her passion for ceramics through coursework at various community centers and participation in several specialized workshops. A largely self-taught artist, she continues to dedicate hours to refining her craft beyond the classroom. Nancy’s commitment and energy led her from student to instructor, eventually teaching beginner ceramics classes. Creating and supporting opportunities for creativity, connection and community continues to be an important part of her journey.

Nancy currently lives in Kenilworth, Pennsylvania where she works from her home studio. She is an instructor at Clay on Main in Oley, PA. Nancy is both a mentee and a mentor through, The Color Network – for ceramic artists of color.

Person outdoors wearing ripped jeans and t-shirt.

Tara Mawby

Office Manager, She/her/hers

I'm Tara Mawby, a self-taught sewer with a practical mindset and a passion for creating useful things. Fashion has always been my way of expressing myself, blending creativity with personal style.

Photography is something I can't live without; I find beauty everywhere, whether it’s breathtaking scenery or a dramatic portrait. Capturing these moments gives me joy and inspiration.

In my day-to-day life, I homeschool two of my children, cherishing the opportunity to watch them learn and thrive, especially in the sports they love.

Anna Bechtel

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Emma Simms

Cassie Sedlack

Pirjo L'Esperance

Lisa Gauker

Karen Adam

Andrea Linn

Visit

Clay on Main is located at 313 Main St, Oley, Pennsylvania, 19547. We are located in a historic building, and there are several steps to enter the front of our building, which houses our gallery. If you are concerned about accessibility, please reach out ahead of time, and we can discuss ways to accommodate you. The back of our building, which houses our gift shop, studio, and music venue, can be accessed without steps.

Our hours are as follows:
Sunday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM open studio 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Tuesday/Wednesday: 5:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Thursday: 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Friday: 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM or by special appointment.
Call the studio at (610) 987-0273 for more information.
Please use Google Maps for turn by turn directions

Highlights for your visit

Our gallery
Gift Shop

In addition to the gallery, we have a small gift shop featuring entirely handmade works by our members and students, giving artists a place to sell their work and giving folks a chance to shop locally. The gift shop is open during our regular hours and special appointments can be made by request.

Poet’s Mural image
Free Little Art Gallery image

We are home to a free little art gallery, created for us by David Gerbstadt. Stop by and leave a piece of art and take home a new treasure. All types of art are welcome.

Shop Our Merch Store and images of the gift shop.

We offer an array of merch designed by Ray Lapinski, from t-shirts and stickers to journals and keychains. All our merch directly supports our organization and mission.