About Susan Amann 

Susan Amann’s pottery is a mixture of hand built and wheel thrown pieces that transcend from functional forms to more sculptural works. She enjoys exploring raku, a 12th-century pottery-firing technique, in which fire and smoke are used in an 1800-degree raku kiln as a ceramic firing process. For Amann, raku provides the excitement of the unknown; “What will my piece look like when it comes out? Where will the flame dance upon my pot?” She is constantly experimenting with different raku techniques and describes the “hands on” process as “dramatic, risky, and very quick.” Amann’s production tends to be earthy and unpredictable. She couples her works with natural found objects and materials to compliment the characters of her pieces. There is an intimacy that develops as each piece evolves. Susan finds comfort in the challenge and idea “that what she loves doing and creating, will in turn take its place in someone’s life for them to enjoy, and thus, complete the circle.” Raku may trace its origins to creating the wares for Japanese tea ceremonies, but you certainly don’t need to hop on a plane to try it yourself. That’s because Amann’s pottery studio, Country Squire Pottery, in Somerville, NJ, can help you create the earthy tones and unique patterns that raku offers.

New Brunswick Art Salon 2018 – All Media: “Visceral & Visionary”

Pottery Studio Website: facebook.com/CountrySquirePottery/

Artist Statement

After graduating from Rutgers University in 1979 with a degree in Arts Education, I taught art for a few years before starting a family. I was fortunate to be a “stay at home mom,” which enabled me to not only raise my children from relatively close range, but also tout myself as a freelance artist. During that period, painting was my medium of choice. When my youngest was in high school, I found myself back in the ceramic studio. I opened my studio on W. High Street in Somerville in 2004. Being a potter can be quite a solitary endeavor, much different from my days of teaching art in the classroom. My desire to teach and be in the company of people, prompted me to open my studio to others. Holding adult classes and Raku / barrel firing workshops at my studio, offers the opportunity to inspire and be inspired!

My work is a mixture of hand-built and wheel thrown pieces that transcend from functional forms to more sculptural pieces.  I most enjoy exploring the Raku technique.  This “hands-on” process is dramatic, risky and very quick; producing unpredictable, earthy results.  I enjoy coupling these works with natural found objects and materials to compliment the character of the piece. Although difficult to part with sometimes, I like the idea that this part of me, this part of what I love to do, what I love to create, will in turn, take its place in someone’s life for them to enjoy; and thus, complete the circle. 

Exhibitions

Juried Gallery Shows:

  • Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ 2015 
  • Arts on Division, Somerville, NJ 2015 
  • Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ 2014 – Juror’s Award 
  • “A Fire Within” Exhibit, 14 East Main Street Gallery, Somerville, NJ 2014 
  • “Earth in Human Hands” Exhibit, 12 East Main Street Gallery, Somerville, NJ 2014 
  • Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ 2013 
  • Arts on Division, Somerville, NJ 2013 
  • Art Jam, Princeton, NJ 2012 
  • Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, NJ  2012 
  • Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton, NJ 2012 
  • Arts on Division, Somerville, NJ 2012 
  • Arts on Division, Somerville, NJ 2011 
  • Art Gallery, RVCC, Branchburg, NJ 2007 – Runner Up Best In Show 
  • Art Gallery, RVCC, Branchburg, NJ 2006 

Education

Rutgers University, Bachelor of Arts Education