Joe Szutz

My introduction to art came through photography, a creative medium that still enhances my engagement with the forms and perspectives that inspire my sculptural work.   

I’ve made three-dimensional art for over 25 years.  From representational and stylized subjects from nature, I gravitated toward pure form, abstract compositions of shape, mass, negative space, texture and surface lines.  That orientation toward abstract design characterizes my work today. 

Clay has been my primary medium since 1995, and I have been fortunate to learn from some notable ceramic artists.  My first teacher and inspiration was Debra Fritts of Roswell , Georgia , an artist with work in several galleries nationwide, including Lowe Gallery, Atlanta , Blue Spiral, Asheville , North Carolina , Chase Gallery , Boston , and Pacini-Lubel Gallery, Seattle .  I have also worked and studied with Robert Piepenberg of Ann Arbor , Michigan , an award-winning artist, teacher and author, whose work is exhibited and collected internationally. 

Other classes and workshops that have added to my growth as an artist are:  two weeks at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina with Montana ceramic sculptor Richard Notkin (Garth Clark Gallery, New York City), including collaborative sessions with Julia Galloway; shorter workshops with Michigan artist Mark Chatterly (Longstreth-Goldberg Art, Naples, Florida), North Carolina sculptural ceramist Michael Sherrill (Ferrin Gallery, Lenox, Massachusetts), and Georgia potter Rick Berman; 16-week classes with University of Michigan ceramic artist John Leland (The Sculpture Center, Cleveland) and Ann Arbor, Michigan potters Kate Tremel (founder, Good Dirt Gallery and Ceramic Arts Center, Athens, Georgia) and Tanya Rudenjak.

Awards and Exhibits:  “Best in Show” for Headland, Roswell Visual Arts Center (GA) 2004 annual all-media art show;  gallery exhibit, U-M Health System Gifts of Art program, 2007.