Susan Springer has been drawn to the ceramic arts, including tile, sculpture, pottery and mosaics since the early 1970’s. Expanding the form and surface, creating unexpected combinations of edge, form and texture, continue to intrigue her as she works in her studio in Seattle's International District.

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While living in the mountains of Illahe, Oregon, she continued creating sculpture, tile and pottery while teaching at the local Community College. She began a course of Graduate study at the University of Oregon, completing a MFA in 1984.  As a thesis project for her Masters degree, she completed a public art commission for the City of Springfield, Oregon.  This ceramic relief mural is located in the Springfield City Hall and is titled, “Between the Rivers”

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Moving to Ashland, Oregon in 1992, afforded an opportunity to open Illahe Tileworks, a custom tile production studio. A full line of handmade tile was developed which served clients across the country. In early 2008 a long held desire to combine a working studio with a gallery focusing on functional art came to fruition with Illahe Studios and Gallery.  Subsequently moving to Seattle in 2016, she has devoted her time to ceramic sculpture, particularly ceramic figures commenting on the present world.