Our Gardens

"I am fascinated by what inspires artists, and how that inspiration influences their art. Just as the development of a child results from both nature and nurture, so too the development of an artist results from both environment (nature) and life experience (nurture).

​One piece of the “environment” that has shaped my development as an artist is, quite simply, my geography. Because I live in Logan, I have had the unique opportunity since 2008 to work with clay pipe from Logan Clay Foundry. Since an artist often creates from nothing, to begin a sculpture with a pipe is an unexpected variation in process. This ability to start with sturdy height transformed the way I create sculptures. My sculptural pieces explore the relationship between the organic beginnings of the clay giving way to the machine-made extruded pipe, which is in turn stretched, bent, and transformed back into an organic form. The outdoor theme of my pieces harkens back to the outdoor nature of the clay body.
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My “life experience” teaching ceramics at Logan High School has led me to seek out hand built ceramics that are appealing and accessible to high school artists. Through this exploration, I have discovered a love for the endless possibilities of hand built ceramics for both their varied textures and their altered irregular forms.
I am grateful for both the “nature” and the “nurture” of my journey as an artist. It is through these influences that I have been able to develop in unanticipated but enjoyable ways."       ~ Megan Anzalone