Trailblazing Hands: Susie Abramovitz's Quiet Revolution in Pottery

Susan “Susie” Abramovitz is a 72-year-old ceramic artist hailing originally from Youngstown, Ohio. After leaving her position as the head of the ceramics department at Case Western University, Susie embarked on a journey to establish her own artistic haven and has never looked back. In 1974, she founded Rock Riffle Run Pottery in Athens, Ohio. However, the whims of land sanctions led her to relocate her studio to the serene countryside of Shade, where she has been shaping clay and dreams for the past 39 years.

Susie's studio, crafted from two trailer garage kits, stands as a testament to her resourcefulness and commitment to her craft. As the owner and creator of Rock Riffle Run Pottery, Susie has dedicated her life to the art of ceramics since the tender age of 18 in 1969. Her journey began at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where she majored in ceramics, followed by a transformative year in Maine, refining her skills amidst the rugged landscapes.

Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio, pets her dog Sparky, 17, while posing for a photo by the entrance to her studio Rock Riffle Run Pottery in the unincorporated community of Shade, Ohio, on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Abramovitz

Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio, uses a ribbon tool while throwing a soap dish on the pottery wheel at her studio, Rock Riffle Run Pottery, in the unincorporated community of Shade, Ohio, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. "These

Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio paints extra terracotta garden markers while working to fulfill an order at her studio Rock Riffle Run Pottery in the unincorporated community of Shade, Ohio, on Monday, November 20, 2023. "I ne

Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio takes a look at two mugs she made from stamps of the original and updated logos of the PawPaw Festival after removing it from the kiln at the end of the first firing at her studio Rock Riffle Ru

Notes from past orders cover a post as Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio, takes a coffee break from working on her pottery at her studio Rock Riffle Run Pottery in the unincorporated community of Shade, Ohio, on Wednesday, Novem

Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio walks up the grassy slope towards her house with her dog Sparky after leaving her studio Rock Riffle Run Pottery in the unincorporated community of Shade, Ohio, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. "S

Susan "Susie" Rhea Abramovitz, 72, of Youngstown, Ohio, waves to her neighbor Kenneth “Kenny” Meeks, of Shade, Ohio, outside her house at the end of a workday in the unincorporated community of Shade, Ohio, on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Abramovitz

Despite a successful tenure as the head of the ceramics department at Case Western University, Susie yearned for creative independence. In pursuit of her artistic vision, she opened her own pottery studio, where she could shape clay according to her own muse. The birth of Rock Riffle Run Pottery marked not just a physical relocation but a symbolic move towards the freedom to create authentically.

Now entering what may be her last active decade as an artist, Susie grapples with the delicate balance between winding down to savor her silver years and managing the demands of her business that has been her lifeline for nearly four decades. Childless and widowed, Susie finds companionship in her loyal 17-year-old dog, Sparky, who keeps her company amidst the whir of the potter's wheel.

Susie’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the pursuit of artistic independence. Her hands have molded countless pieces, and her spirit continues to fire the kiln of inspiration in the heart of rural Southeastern Ohio. As she navigates the challenges of her dual roles as artist and business owner, Susie remains a beacon in the community, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape she has chosen to call home.