International experiences influence Snyder’s artwork

Local ceramics and pottery artisan Susan Snyder brings European inspiration to the windows of the By Hand Gallery, Oliver Winery, Blue Moon and WonderLab.

During her senior year in 1992, the IU ceramics major and Italian minor studied abroad in Faenza, Italy, a bustling ceramics town, Snyder said.

“I got on the train and was blown away by the ceramics there. It’s a small town at around 70,000 people, but at the time they had over 100 ceramics studios,” Snyder said.

Snyder said she received an 1,100-hour ceramics program in Faenza, coming at a cost of only a few hundred dollars with the rest being paid for by the Italian
government.

“The program was fantastic,” Snyder said. “I learned not only about throwing on the wheel and making molds and the Italian history of art, but also about Italy in general if I ever wanted to live there.”

After finishing her studies in Faenza, Snyder ventured back to her native Bloomington to pursue teaching workshops at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center.

In 2006, fresh from being featured on HGTV’s “That’s Clever” for her work, she and her husband decided to move to Aberdeen, Scotland.

“When I moved to Scotland, I became active in the Scottish Potter’s Guild and ended up being the secretary of that group,” Snyder said. “It was great being able to get involved with different communities of artists there.”

Moving back to the States in 2009, Snyder continued her studio work along with
teaching workshops. She said she appreciates the strength of Bloomington’s artisan community.

“I think Bloomington is a great community for the arts,” Snyder said. “I also feel very lucky that I was also able to be one of the founding members of Local Clay Potter’s Guild. It was the idea of my dealer to invite a couple artists to help her get it started and it’s been wonderful to see how that organization has grown.”

Along with building relationships with artist organizations around town, Snyder said she enjoys the personal rewards of teaching her workshop students.

“I love the creativity, and ceramics is also very relaxing,” Snyder said. “I think when you’re throwing on the wheel, it’s very centric and helps you to become centered. I enjoy sharing that with students, letting them relax and be creative, explore different
techniques.

“It’s fun to see them accomplish things that they never thought they could do. That’s very rewarding.”

Snyder said if she were to offer advice to those seeking a successful arts career, she would recommend studying the business aspects of artwork.

“It’s important that if someone is interested in a career as an artist to also understand the points of having a business background,” Snyder said. “Part of it is creating and making the work, but it’s also important to be aware of promoting the business and managing the business.

“There’s a balance, it’s not just the doing.”

Follow reporter Olivia Williams on Twitter @obwillia.