Susan DeMay

NEWS

Explore techniques for glaze application through dipping

Explore techniques for glaze application through dipping This workshop, held at the Appalachian Center for Craft from July21 through July 23, explored techniques for glaze application through dipping, pouring, resists, nozzling and sponging. The demonstrations covered glazing for inside walls of bowls, flat plates and outside surfaces of taller forms. Discussions of glaze qualities, such as fluidity, viscosity, transparency, and opacity, were incorporated into discussions of form. Students brought their own bisqued ware and explored the various techniques demonstrated. Several firings were done during the weekend and the results got better and better.

Susan DeMay is the 2022 recipient of an award given by her undergraduate university, Eckerd College.

Artist Talk by Susan DeMay '77 The Jim Crane Art Alumni Award was created in memory of Jim Crane, a beloved Art professor at Eckerd College. It recognizes an alumna/us who has demonstrated significant achievements as an artist, leadership in visual arts education, and contributions to the creative arts.

In conjunction with being given the award, Susan gave a lecture at the Cobb Gallery on campus. The talk covered many stories of her youth leading to her entrance to the College, memories of her years in the Visual Arts Program and the Education program there, mention of the degrees that come after and highlights of the career that followed. The PowerPoint presentation included numerous images of her work through her life time as a developing and eventually successful artist.

NEW WORK FOR 2023

Visit the Leaf Gallery and Floral Gallery

Susan DeMay

Artist's Statement

Susan DeMay produces functional and decorative stoneware pottery and other artistic forms, such as wall works, sculptural vases, and tile projects. She maintains a studio, Made by deMay, in Smithville, Tennessee with the help a number of assistants. Her work includes a production line of tabletop wares as well as a series of art pieces. All clay work uses colorful glazes with a variety of surfaces, put together to create rich, expressive palettes and distinctive designs. Each series has evolved from many years of working with electric kilns fired to cone six.

Off the Beaten Path Studio Tour 2022

The studio tour in Dekalb and Cannon counties came back after the pandemic – it came back in style and in full force! This year’s event was my best ever. A steady stream of new and old visitors meant that there was never a dull moment. At times the studio was teaming with people in every corner. While bargains were had by many, unique and special pieces were carried off by long-term fans and new buyers.

Both my guest artist and I had a great time talking to people about our work. Some guests came all the way from Nashville just to come to our stop and to support our event. And both Donna Rizzo and I were pleased with our sales.

I set aside an area of work for one of my favorite charities: The Dekalb Animal Shelter. I donated 40% of the sales in the section for this service to animals, and was able to raise $250 for the shelter for their supplies. When I delivered the check they said they needed cat and kitten food. They must have bought out Walmart’s inventory because when I went to get catfood for my feral cat, there was no catfood on the shelves in the pet department!

The works in this section were classroom demonstration works, experiments, seconds and older works. I am so happy that I could give back with these unusual and unique works. I may provide a similar section next year, though I won’t have classroom demonstration works anymore since this last spring I finally retired form my many years of college teaching.

I was pleased to show off my studio renovations at the tour: a lot of new shelving, nice white-painted display areas with added lighting. I have additional renovations planned. Come and see my great studio!

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