Suzanne Kleese-Stamps
Suzanne Kleese-Stamps is a dedicated clay artist, potter, print-maker, vintage treasure hunter, and lover of a handmade life. She creates wheel-thrown, functional pottery using stoneware clay. Her studio and gallery are located on the backroads of western Georgia.
A Proud Maximalist
I would describe my aesthetic as ‘maximalist’. Though I may admire the grace of minimalism, I gravitate toward the barely controlled chaos aesthetic. I’m enamored with organic patterns and juicy colors that speak of the lushness and abundance found around the South. Things can’t help but overgrow here because of dewy mornings and wet summers under hot skies. I love watching dark storms roll in and roll by, while drinking from a big mug that will hold me through the whole spectacle. This is what I strive to capture in the work I make. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Experienced
I studied Art Studio and Art History, receiving my BFA from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. During my studies, I turned my attention from painting to find a passion for three-dimensional art and expression. My first ceramics course was under potter and professor, Stephen DeSole. I learned all aspects of the art from hand-building to sculpting but found my groove in throwing pottery on the wheel.
After graduation, I continued studying ceramic studio operations and more advanced throwing skills from the program offered by the Callenwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta, GA. In 2016, I established my personal studio to create functional production pottery and custom designs.
Involved
I have served on the Board for the Newnan-Coweta Art Association and Southern Hands Artist Studio Tour. I am also a member of the Blue Ridge Mountain Art Association, and a gallery shop artist at Macon Art Alliance. Most recently I have joined an artist co-op in Carrollton, Georgia operating the Blue Door Gallery.
Promoting local and regional art and artists is a keen interest of mine. I believe the creative arts are a direct reflection of the community from which they flourish. When art becomes an integral part of a community or region, a healthy culture and standard of living takes root.
Invested
My interest in the art and pottery of the Arts & Craft Movement of the early 20th century influences my work today. As a collector of art pottery, living with pieces from this era has led me to explore more modern interpretations of the design and glazing techniques, making them relevant to our functional objects today.
I specialize in functional, beautiful hand-thrown pottery including dinnerware, travel mugs, and sculptural pots. All my pieces are handcrafted, one at a time, using traditional methods.