About Marianna Gardenhire

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I began my love affair with pottery and sculpting in the mid nineties. 

After a few years, I decided to combine my two passions:

sculpting & food equality.  After graduating, The Culinary Institute of America,  I was fortunate to work in a number of amazing restaurants throughout the bay area, with amazing chefs, farmers & creators. 

 In 2012, my husband & I opened a small restaurant, Backyard, along with an organic garden, charming bees, and herding chickens.  

Over the 9 years we were open, we were fortunate to have received many accolades, including Slow Food Snail of Approval, California Small Business Award and Michelin Guide's Bib Gourmand (all 9 years we were open!).  Though our paths have changed a bit, my husband is now a culinary teacher and I am a private chef, moonlighting as a pottery artist, we continue to stay connected to our roots: humane, ethical & sustainable practices.  

That brings me to today.  

My passion for pottery was reignited in 2017, and I have been hooked ever since.  There is no where else I would rather be than in my studio, creating.   

My pottery is inspired by my garden, the restaurant life, snorkeling 

and the beauty of art in nature that is all around us.  

I tend to make functional pieces, made to be used everyday, as well as sculptures and garden totems.  Most of my glazes are food safe, unless otherwise specified.  I am always thinking in seasons - 

how food will look, will be presented on my pieces, 

how  flowers will lay in a vase, 

or how a sculpture will sit in a garden. 

My art studio is solar powered, residing in Sonoma County, 

where I have been creating art, in some form, for over 16 years.

 I hope you enjoy my pottery as much as I enjoy making it.