Nestled on one of the many picturesque hillsides surrounding Naples Village, Paul and Suzanne Frazer create art from that which nature provides: earth, water, minerals and fire. The couple, who has been creating unique ceramic sculpture and pottery for over twenty years, are recent additions to the Naples Community having just celebrated their first year in the area. Both natives of NY, the couple returned to their roots to fulfill their dream of being dedicated to their family and their artwork.

Originally from Wayne (North Rose)  and Chautauqua County (Brocton) respectively, the couple met at Buffalo State College in the early 90’s while they studied in the ceramics program and earned their Degrees in Art Education and Design. Upon graduation, the two spent the summer as Artists in Residence at Artpark in Lewiston, NY, where they lived a life centered in the arts, teaching classes to children and adults, creating, observing and learning from the other Residents and guests of the program. Summer’s end took the couple to Pennsylvania where Paul enrolled in the Masters of Fine Arts Program in Ceramics at Edinboro University.

With the support of his new bride, who learned the ropes of gallery retail, Paul obtained his MFA and spent the next ten years teaching in higher education. He served as Director of Clayspace, the Erie (Pennsylvania) Art Museum’s Community Ceramics Studio for three years while maintaining a private studio for constructing large-scale ceramic sculpture on commission.

He also served as an Adjunct Instructor of Design at Buffalo State College and Adjunct Instructor of Fine Art at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. The last four years Paul spent as an Assistant Professor of Fine Arts teaching Ceramics and Sculpture at Lakeland College in Ohio as well as serving as the Fine Arts Gallery Director for the College.

Paul’s award winning work has been featured in the international ceramic art periodical, Ceramics Monthly and he has exhibited his work in various juried and invitational shows throughout the country in addition to numerous commissioned pieces for private collectors in the Northeast.

Paul and Suzanne’s work showcases a diverse selection of modern utilitarian forms and classically inspired sculpture. The Artists’ unique approaches to clay provide them with unlimited variety as they work both collaboratively and individually in the studio. Using the finest porcelain, their wheel thrown vessels bear the soft ripples and swirls the potters hands leave behind. Other wheel generated forms are treated with modern industrial imagery which put a unique spin on the familiar. Handbuilt porcelain and earthenware pieces are substantial, yet delicate. Ceramic pedestals, supporting sculptural lamps and vessels are themselves accomplished works of art.

Their studio, equipped with both electric and propane fueled kilns provide the Frazer’s with a wide range of firing techniques. Currently, the two artists are focusing on high firing in oxidation and reduction atmospheres for their functional and sculptural ware. In the future, they plan to add pit and raku firing back into their repertoire (two techniques which sparked their interest in the ceramic process as undergraduate students) as they continue to convert their studio and surrounding property.

Paul & Suzanne Frazer

Frazer Studios

215 Clute Road

Naples, NY 14512

585-374-6265