eMail contact: [email protected]
Web-site: www.indigopotterystudio.com
Instagram: @indigopotterystudio
Facebook: facebook.com/indigopotterystudio/
Suzanne Kleese-Stamps is a studio potter who currently works and lives in Carroll County Georgia with her husband Ken of 34 years. She studied Studio Art and Art History and received her BA in Fine Arts from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA. She studied ceramics and studio art under potter and professor Stephen Forbes DeSole and was hooked on the range of art expressions afforded by the medium. Suzanne says, “I learned all aspects of the art from hand-building to sculpting, but found my groove in throwing pottery on the wheel.”
Suzanne’s career after her studies took off in a corporate environment where she worked her way up the ladders of IT leadership in Delta Air Lines and Home Depot. She dedicated over 22 years leading technology teams implementing major projects such as the first ever self-check in kiosk system for the airline, and the first customer care call center for Home Depot. In 2010 she left the corporate world and joined her husband in their family business. During these years, Suzanne and Ken raised a family of three wonderful daughters, Eleanor, Audrey and Catie.
Suzanne still continued pursuing her art studies during this time. She enrolled at the Callenwolde Fine Arts Center in Atlanta to gain more experience in ceramic studio operations advance her throwing skills. She also continued her studies in 3D surface design techniques in Abiquiu, New Mexico at the Ghostranch; and in Farmington, PA at the Touchstone Center for Crafts; as well as in Brasstown, NC at the venerable John C. Campbell Folk Art School. In 2016, she established her home studio to create functional production pottery and custom designs for local businesses. She opened her wholesale pottery production business, Indigo Pottery Studio, in 2021. Her work is currently represented in galleries and shops located in Georgia, New York, Alaska, North Carolina, Vermont, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, Connecticut, California, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Her current endeavors include working on the board of the Carrollton Artist Guild towards organizing art events in the city as well as being an active artist member of the Blue Door Gallery co-op in the city.
Suzanne has exhibited her work in regional and national shows such as:
Fire & Ice show in Macon, GA- Fired Works show in Macon, GA.
- Perspectives Pottery Invitational in Watkinsville, GA
- Artisans on the Square Celebrating Clay, Greensboro, GA
- SIP A Ceramic Cup Show in Savannah, GA
- Dirty South Cup Competition in River Oaks, LA
- 3D Off-The-Wall Show in Blue Ridge, GA
- Makers Collective Exhibit in Blue Ridge, GA
Her pottery can be found locally at Gilleyweeds on the square in Newnan and she is on permanent stock at the Blue Door Gallery of Carrollton, GA, and the Arts Alliance Gallery of Macon, GA. She specializes in creating functional, beautiful hand-thrown pottery including dinnerware, travel mugs, and sculptural pots. All her pieces are hand-crafted, one at a time, using traditional methods.