Sue Springer

Susan Springer has been drawn to the ceramic arts, including tile, sculpture, pottery and mosaics since the early 1970’s. Expanding the form and surface, creating unexpected combinations of edge, form and texture, continue to intrigue her as she works in her studio.

While living in the mountains of Illahe, Oregon, she continued the ceramic work, creating sculpture, tile and pottery while teaching at the local Community College. She began a course of Graduate study at the University of Oregon, completing a MFA in 1984.  As a thesis project for her Masters degree, she completed a public art commission for the City of Springfield, Oregon.  This ceramic relief mural is located in the Springfield City Hall and is titled, “Between the Rivers”

Moving to Ashland, Oregon in 1992, afforded an opportunity to open Illahe Tileworks, a custom tile production studio. A full line of handmade tile was developed which served clients across the country. In early 2008 a long held desire to combine a working studio with a gallery focusing on functional art came to fruition with Illahe Studios and Gallery in the historic Nininger building.  Originally built in 1899 as a general store, the expansive, light filled building allows her to work and greet visitors to the gallery.

Of particular interest is site specific public art, which creates an opportunity to design a beautiful, permanent  work for a specific location and client.  Springer has extensive experience creating educational mosaics, decorative murals and celebratory statements for many clients.

After closing the studio/gallery in 2015, Sue moved to Seattle and set up a studio concentrating on ceramic sculpture, in Pioneer Square in the GoodArts Building.  The primarily figurative sculptures reflect whimsy and unexpected combinations. They evolve in wonderful ways, hats appear, beads and buttons are found in secret drawers and niches, artist books might be found in a sculptural base.