Amy Schnitzer

Bio

Amy Schnitzer is a New York City-based potter. She rediscovered pottery in 2010 upon making a career change and taking a 6-month work hiatus. Not only did her new local studio community embrace her, but the clay became a new and exciting medium to work with. She quickly shifted from years of hand-building to wheel-throwing and has been working at the wheel ever since.

In March 2020, with the global pandemic closing down businesses all around her, including her studio, she bought a wheel and set up her own make-shift, at-home pandemic pottery studio. She has since built her own business that includes creating, showing, and selling her work as well as helping other makers promote and sell their wares.

Gas reduction, salt, and wood are the ways in which she prefers to fire her work due to the rich colors and textures, and unexpected results. She works with 5-8 different clay bodies at any given time because they produce vastly different results. Her pottery is functional — meaning it’s meant to be used. She focuses on form, which is key to functional work because handles need to be comfortable, lids need to fit, and bowls and plates need to stack.

Artist Statement

Inspired by Japanese stacking spice jars, these one-of-a-kind, stacked ceramic pieces are functional works of art, made from 4-5 separate wheel-thrown pieces of stoneware. They are inspired by the world around us. The outside tells a visual story about an element or elements of our surroundings while the inside of each jar presents a surprise. Each jar features a different and unique combination of glazes or materials, such as Murano glass, wood ash, or gold luster, that are meant to delight the viewer as s/he uncovers and peers into each one.

Exhibitions