About Us
Suzanne
Growing up surrounded by creativity, art was always a part of my life. My brother, dad, mom, and aunt each expressed themselves through different artistic mediums, and while I admired their talents, I often wondered if I would ever discover my own. For years, I felt unsure of where I fit in that world.
It wasn’t until adulthood, when my father became ill, that my path became clear. I moved back to Michigan to be closer to family and stayed with my aunt, who introduced me to ceramics. Through clay, I found something I had been searching for all along -my own artistic voice. Working with my hands, shaping pieces from nothing, awakened the true artist inside me.
Like my father, I found not only a love for creating, but also a passion for teaching. What began as a small studio in our family pole barn has grown into a thriving creative space now three times its original size. Today, we have 35 resident potters, each one personally taught by me, creating a strong and supportive artistic community.
Our studio continues to grow by sharing the joy of ceramics with others. We offer 8-week pottery classes each fall, winter, and spring, summer clay camps for kids, and couples’ pottery nights throughout the year for those wanting to experience clay together. What started as a personal journey to find my own medium has become a place where others can discover theirs too.
Mascots
Our goats, George, Kosmo, and Walter are always eager to greet students. Especially if you have some treats for them!
Suzanne's Girls
While not too interested in Pottery, Suzanne's girls keep us supplied with farm fresh eggs which we happily share with our students.
Artist statement:
Nature and the five senses is what inspires me and my creativity as a potter.
Looking out my open bedroom window on an early spring morning.
Taking in a breath of fresh air, after what we hoped was the last snow fall of the season.
Having coffee served in bed and legs nestled under warm covers, just to gaze out at the large tree outside my window. Listening to the chatter of the birds, building their nests in the tree, revealing their skillful designs.
My creations are a signature of who I am and what I love. I throw a variety of pieces, bowls, lidded vessels, mugs, pitchers, dishes, platters and more. You'll soon discover that my first love is throwing vases. Vases provide a canvas for me to display my thoughts and creativity. The majority of my artistry is displayed with frogs, birds, trees, cats, flowers, and fish. Recently I've been enjoying the art of sculpture. The movement of the body, capturing the expression, conveys a story to its audience. You'll also notice that I do not limit myself to a certain clay body. Dark clay, light clay, porcelain or a combination of clay bodies are used, depending on what I plan on doing with the piece I am creating. I also fire with a variety of firing methods: electric, gas, wood, or Raku. My preferred firing method is cone 10 reduction in a gas kiln. I love what the gas does with the glazes I use.
Besides nature I've also been inspired by people. My father Herman, my brother Steffan, and my aunt Hilde
have inspired me the most. They too are accomplished artists and I will be forever grateful to them.
I hope my work inspires you!