Anita Gardner likes to play in the mud! She has lived in southern Utah since 1953. As a child she was surrounded with plenty of red clay to make into mud pies, pinch pots, and little sculptures.

Anita was introduced to ceramics at DSU in the late 60’s. She discovered she had a knack for centering clay on a potter’s wheel. She found the medium exciting and fulfilling, creating to her heart’s content. While atDSU, Anita met a senior student named Irma Thomas. They became greatfriends. Irma eventually developed her own home pottery studio. It was then that Anita started to dream about having her own studio; just as Irma did.

After retirement from her rewarding career in early childhood development in 2012, for the next few years she purchased all the pottery making equipment she needed. With the help of her brother Steven, also a talented potter with his own studio, they made a wedging table and he taught her how to fire her kiln.

Inspiration for her work comes mostly from nature and the beautiful southern Utah landscape that surrounds her. Within her environment is an endless variety of colors, patterns, textures, shapes, and forms, which become evident in her creations. Other inspirations come from her visits to art museums in Paris France, New York, California, and DC.

As a student Anita combined her first and last name, signing her pottery“freemanita.” Fifty years later, she has seven wonderful grandchildren andone great-granddaughter. She now proudly signs her work Gramanita. Of course, Anita still likes to play in the mud, but her creations are now fired in a kiln instead of baking in the Southern Utah sun.