Venerable multidiscipline ND artist Charles Grantier. Works are in collections at UND and Mandan Historical Society. Was an important figure art education and WPA art projects, and in the development of ND's pottery industry.

Charles “Happy” Grantier (b. 1909, Williston, North Dakota) was a versatile North Dakota artist whose career spanned fine art, ceramics, and art education. A graduate of the University of North Dakota’s art program, he studied under prominent ceramicist Margaret Kelly Cable and went on to become a designer at Dickinson Clay Products Company (Dickota Pottery), later serving as state supervisor of the WPA/Federal Arts Project ceramics program from 1939–1942. Grantier also taught art and helped foster local art communities, including involvement with the Mandan Art Association. His ceramic works are held in institutional collections such as the University of North Dakota and the Mandan Historical Society Museum,
UND Scholarly Commons.

Work Significance:
Baka House is a rare example of Grantier’s work on paper. While Grantier is most frequently documented for his ceramics and pottery designs, works in watercolor, oil, and other graphic media are far less commonly cataloged in public collections and historical records, making surviving examples like this particularly notable.

Mandan History
Historical Context:
Grantier’s artistic practice was shaped by his deep engagement with North Dakota’s artistic and educational communities in the early–mid 20th century. His leadership in the WPA ceramics program places him within the broader framework of New Deal arts initiatives that supported artists and brought art to public audiences during the Great Depression era. �
ndpcs.org

Provenance & Collection Note:
Part of the Leno Family Collection, Baka House contributes to documenting the diversity of Grantier’s artistic output beyond ceramics and provides insight into his work as a painter and draughtsman. Institutional holdings of his work include pieces at the University of North Dakota Art Collections and the Mandan Historical Society Museum.