I developed an interest in playing in the mud as a child, and in my early teens I discovered through high school art classes that working with clay was intensely satisfying.  A three year intensive program as a Ceramics major at Sheridan College School of Art & Design in Ontario furthered my skills and interest. I made Smithers, British Columbia my home shortly afterwards and it has remained my home base on and off in the years since. 

I am interested in creating work that is unique, tells a story and brings beauty and pleasure into everyday life and rituals. My inspirations come from nature, my life-long love of rivers and oceans and many years of living in northern British Columbia.

I enjoy making both functional and sculptural work.  My work is formed with a range of hand building techniques and wheel-work. Clay is a malleable and seductive material that invites exploration. When I begin a piece, I start with a general concept; the nature of the material invites playful interaction while developing the final form. In my recent work I am exploring a wide range of surface treatments, working with coloured slips and underglazes and printing techniques at both the greenware and bisque stage.

EXHIBITIONS

July - August 2021 Skeena Salmon Arts Fest, Terrace BC

July - August 2020 Skeena Salmon Arts Fest, Terrace BC

March 2019 WILD, with painter Kaaren Soby, Smithers Art Gallery 

October 2017 Closer Than They Appear, with painter Kaaren Soby, Terrace Art Gallery 

2013 Clay, Beyond Function, group show, Smithers Art Gallery

2012 Art/Move/Ment, group show, Smithers Art Gallery

2011 Unorthodox Elements, with painter Kaaren Soby, Smithers Art Gallery, Smithers, BC

2011 Spottery, Members Show, Potters Guild of BC, Vancouver, BC

2009 The Lunchbox Show, Centennial Gallery in conjunction with Lunchbox Theatre, Calgary AB, group                  exhibit, Calgary Clay Arts Association

2008 100 under 100, Smith & Co. Design Group, Calgary, AB

           Trunk Show, Cooper Hall, Calgary AB

1976 Clay Works, Toronto, ON – honorable mention, Juried Show, Ontario Crafts Council

1971 Student Exhibition, Burlington Public Library, Burlington, ON

RESIDENCY

February - March 2020 - Medalta, Medicine Hat, AB

EDUCATION

1973-76 Ceramics Major, Sheridan College School of Design, Missisauga, ON

1975 NCECA International Ceramics Conference, Philadelphia, PA

1973 Banff Centre, International Ceramics Symposium

 TEACHING

2016 to present - Susan ClaySmith studio courses

2012 to present -  Smithers Art Gallery Spring & Fall Workshop Series

1986-88 Smithers Alternate School, student support worker, art instructor in photography and darkroom, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, layout & design etc..

1977 Introductory Ceramics Course for Adults, Stewart BC