BIO:
Originally from New Mexico, art has always been a part of Sue’s life. Early interests focused on painting in oils and acrylics – this through college at New Mexico State University. After moving to South Carolina, clay became the main focus in 1984 when Sue set up a studio near Columbia and worked as a production potter. Basically self-taught in clay, she attended professional workshops at Arrowmont and Penland, until deciding to attain an MFA from Clemson University in 2004. After graduating, Sue taught ceramics part-time at Clemson the next 6 years.
Currently, Sue lives near Asheville, North Carolina – a beautiful place for visual stimulation and creativity! Not quite a production potter any longer, she still is very active in the studio – creating one-of-a-kind pieces, teapots and limited series. Teaching has shifted to workshop formats when opportunity arises.
Originally from New Mexico, art has always been a part of Sue’s life. Early interests focused on painting in oils and acrylics – this through college at New Mexico State University. After moving to South Carolina, clay became the main focus in 1984 when Sue set up a studio near Columbia and worked as a production potter. Basically self-taught in clay, she attended professional workshops at Arrowmont and Penland, until deciding to attain an MFA from Clemson University in 2004. After graduating, Sue taught ceramics part-time at Clemson the next 6 years.
Currently, Sue lives near Asheville, North Carolina – a beautiful place for visual stimulation and creativity! Not quite a production potter any longer, she still is very active in the studio – creating one-of-a-kind pieces, teapots and limited series. Teaching has shifted to workshop formats when opportunity arises.
Artist Statement:
As an artist, my work has grown to embrace the vessel through my previous involvement and understanding of more traditional functional pottery forms. I maintain a desire to make the work “functional”, yet the definition of function has evolved to embrace the utilitarian as well as the intellectual or conceptual aspects of the term. The clay vessel used with the idea of embodied learning has allowed layers of information to be included in these pieces. Ideas that keep recurring in my work involve the passage of time. At one point, the idea of time passing in front of me - and now moving to a broader revelation of how I am moving in time-based phases – as are we all. I enjoy the use of the ceramic vessel in this exploration for the range of forms, the associations and metaphorical uses they have and the ability to take advantage of ceramic processes (mark making, glazing, firing, etc).
As a teacher, I seek to provide a solid ceramics foundation that includes an understanding of technical and conceptual concerns, combined with exposure to historical and contemporary ceramics. I lay that foundation by sharing skills with students, demonstrating the safe and correct use of materials and equipment, encouraging conceptual expression along side realistic handling of clay, and discussion of ceramics relevant to its particular evolution in the fine arts arena. I believe that every student has potential and I strive to share my understanding and excitement about clay and process with him or her.
As a teacher, I seek to provide a solid ceramics foundation that includes an understanding of technical and conceptual concerns, combined with exposure to historical and contemporary ceramics. I lay that foundation by sharing skills with students, demonstrating the safe and correct use of materials and equipment, encouraging conceptual expression along side realistic handling of clay, and discussion of ceramics relevant to its particular evolution in the fine arts arena. I believe that every student has potential and I strive to share my understanding and excitement about clay and process with him or her.
Resume:
EDUCATION MFA, Visual Art/Ceramics, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Professional Crafts Studies, Arrowmont School or Arts & Crafts
and Penland School of Craft
BS, Computer Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Southern Highlands Craft Guild (www.southernhighlandsguild.org)
NCECA (www.nceca.net)
Southern Artistry Registry (www.southernartistry.org/Susan_Grier)
Come To Leicester Artists (www.cometoleicester.com)
Potters Council (www.potterscouncil.com)
WORKSHOPS & LECTURES PRESENTED
The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC – (Glazing & Cone 6 Firing Tips)
North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC – Slide Lecture & solo show
Brevard College, Brevard, NC – Visiting Artist & solo show
Midlands Clay Arts Society, Columbia, SC – 2-day Throwing Demo
The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC – 2 sessions “The Ultimate Drinking Vessel”
Anderson University, Anderson, SC – Visiting Artist
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC – Visiting Artist
Furman University, Greenville, SC – Visiting Artist
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC – Lecture “Marketing in the Crafts”
UNC Asheville, Asheville, NC – Visiting Artist
USC, Columbia, SC – Visiting Artist
CURATOR/JUROR
*Improv Girls of Clay - in 2011, this 3-person group of clay artists came together. Our goal is to creatively exchange dialog & periodically we plan to exhibit our work in select locations. Follow us on www.improvgirlsofclay.blogspot.com
*20x20 Invitational Clay Show, Inaugural clay event I established for The ARTS Center in Clemson, SC. This will become an annual event.
“Points of Departure: Vessel Forms from the SC State Art Collection”, Opening September – October 2008 at The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC. Curators talk, additionally the concurrent show “New Works” for expanded view of participating artists. The show traveled to the Aiken Center for the Arts, Aiken, SC in December 2008 – January 2009. (www.southcarolinaarts.com)
“Clemson Anagama Invitational Wood Fire Show”, Opening December 2008 – January 2009, Anderson County Arts Center, Anderson, SC. This show was preceded in November by an Invitational Wood Fire Event in the Clemson University Anagama Kiln including Clemson Faculty & students plus area ceramic artists & potters.
“Wood Fired Works from the Clemson Anagama Kiln”, Opening October - November 2006, Blue Ridge Arts Center, Seneca, SC. Featuring works from the first 4 firings of the Clemson University Anagama Kiln.
Juror in February 2010 in selecting student art works for inclusion in The Laurel Magazine, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC.
"An Incubation Location: Current and Former Resident Artists of the Energy Xchange", April 2011, The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC. The Energy Xchange is a sustainable craft studio near Burnsville, NC see www.energyxchange.org
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Nominated to Southern Artists Registry by SC Arts Commission
Selected Alternate, Craft Fellow 2009, SC Arts Commission
COLLECTIONS City of Columbia, South Carolina, SC
University of South Carolina at Sumter, Sumter, SC
SELECT EXHIBITIONS
2012 - Texas Teapot Tournament, 18 Hands Gallery, Houston, TX
2011 - New Members Show, Southern Highland Craft Guild, Allenstand, Asheville, NC
Clay + One, Transylvania Community Arts Council, Brevard, NC
Conversations With Teapots, Toe River Arts Council, Burnsville, NC & Southern Pottery Gallery, Columbia, SC
2010 – Fly Asheville, Group Exhibition, AVL Regional Airport Gallery, Asheville, NC.
Invitational participant to SC Arts Gala, Columbia Museum, Columbia, SC.
2009 – Junctions+Surface+Meaning, Solo Show, Brevard College, Brevard, NC.
The Art Faculty Exhibition, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
The UpState of Clay Invitational, Pickens County Museum, Pickens, SC.
2008 – International Orton Cone Box Show, NCECA, Pittsburg, PA & Baker University, Baldwin, KS.
South Carolina Juried Art Show, The State Museum, Columbia, SC
Clemson Anagama Invitational Wood Fire Show, Anderson Co Arts Center, Anderson, SC.
Fly Asheville, Group Exhibition, AVL Regional Airport Gallery, Asheville, NC
2007 – ACC-SE Spotlight Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Wood Fire National Exhibition, NCECA, Louisville, KY.
The Art Faculty Exhibition, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
Con-Functionality, Solo Show, USC Sumter, Sumter, SC.
2006 - Wood Fired Works from the Clemson Anagama Kiln, Blue Ridge Art Center, Seneca, SC.
International Orton Cone Box Show, NCECA, Portland, OR & Baker University, Baldwin, KS.
2005 – Clay On The Wall, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Clay Cup X, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.
The Art Faculty Exhibition, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
2004 – A Notion Of Function, Thesis Show, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA.
Professional Crafts Studies, Arrowmont School or Arts & Crafts
and Penland School of Craft
BS, Computer Science, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NCECA (www.nceca.net)
Southern Artistry Registry (www.southernartistry.org/Susan_Grier)
Come To Leicester Artists (www.cometoleicester.com)
Potters Council (www.potterscouncil.com)
WORKSHOPS & LECTURES PRESENTED
The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC – (Glazing & Cone 6 Firing Tips)
North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC – Slide Lecture & solo show
Brevard College, Brevard, NC – Visiting Artist & solo show
Midlands Clay Arts Society, Columbia, SC – 2-day Throwing Demo
The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC – 2 sessions “The Ultimate Drinking Vessel”
Anderson University, Anderson, SC – Visiting Artist
Meredith College, Raleigh, NC – Visiting Artist
Furman University, Greenville, SC – Visiting Artist
Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC – Lecture “Marketing in the Crafts”
UNC Asheville, Asheville, NC – Visiting Artist
USC, Columbia, SC – Visiting Artist
CURATOR/JUROR
“Points of Departure: Vessel Forms from the SC State Art Collection”, Opening September – October 2008 at The ARTS Center, Clemson, SC. Curators talk, additionally the concurrent show “New Works” for expanded view of participating artists. The show traveled to the Aiken Center for the Arts, Aiken, SC in December 2008 – January 2009. (www.southcarolinaarts.com)
“Clemson Anagama Invitational Wood Fire Show”, Opening December 2008 – January 2009, Anderson County Arts Center, Anderson, SC. This show was preceded in November by an Invitational Wood Fire Event in the Clemson University Anagama Kiln including Clemson Faculty & students plus area ceramic artists & potters.
“Wood Fired Works from the Clemson Anagama Kiln”, Opening October - November 2006, Blue Ridge Arts Center, Seneca, SC. Featuring works from the first 4 firings of the Clemson University Anagama Kiln.
Juror in February 2010 in selecting student art works for inclusion in The Laurel Magazine, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC.
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Nominated to Southern Artists Registry by SC Arts Commission
Selected Alternate, Craft Fellow 2009, SC Arts Commission
COLLECTIONS City of Columbia, South Carolina, SC
University of South Carolina at Sumter, Sumter, SC
SELECT EXHIBITIONS
2010 – Fly Asheville, Group Exhibition, AVL Regional Airport Gallery, Asheville, NC.
Invitational participant to SC Arts Gala, Columbia Museum, Columbia, SC.
2009 – Junctions+Surface+Meaning, Solo Show, Brevard College, Brevard, NC.
The Art Faculty Exhibition, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
The UpState of Clay Invitational, Pickens County Museum, Pickens, SC.
2008 – International Orton Cone Box Show, NCECA, Pittsburg, PA & Baker University, Baldwin, KS.
South Carolina Juried Art Show, The State Museum, Columbia, SC
Clemson Anagama Invitational Wood Fire Show, Anderson Co Arts Center, Anderson, SC.
Fly Asheville, Group Exhibition, AVL Regional Airport Gallery, Asheville, NC
2007 – ACC-SE Spotlight Exhibition, Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts, Gatlinburg, TN.
Wood Fire National Exhibition, NCECA, Louisville, KY.
The Art Faculty Exhibition, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
Con-Functionality, Solo Show, USC Sumter, Sumter, SC.
2006 - Wood Fired Works from the Clemson Anagama Kiln, Blue Ridge Art Center, Seneca, SC.
International Orton Cone Box Show, NCECA, Portland, OR & Baker University, Baldwin, KS.
2005 – Clay On The Wall, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Clay Cup X, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL.
The Art Faculty Exhibition, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
2004 – A Notion Of Function, Thesis Show, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.
Strictly Functional Pottery National, Market House Craft Center, Lancaster, PA.