Page 110 - South Mississippi Living - October, 2016

Commemorative Festival Mug
STORY BY CYNTHIA DOBBS SUTTON
For years, Shearwater Pottery
has been creating limited edition festival mugs each with a different, unique design. Master Potter, James “Jimmy” Anderson designed the first festival mug in 1988.
“People wanted something to commemorate the festival,” said Beth Ashley of Shearwater Pottery. “We are honored to have the festival named after Peter Anderson so this was a way to give back
and offer something to those who attend.”
Each mug is designed by James “Jimmy” Anderson with an image or in most recent years, a memory that the Anderson family holds special.
This year’s mug, featured in colorful glazes, portrays Peter Anderson firing in the frit furnace and the year 2016 on the outside of the cup. The cup reads, “The 2016 Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts
Festival mug depicts Peter Anderson working at the frit furnace. A
frit furnace melts soluble glaze chemicals together with insoluble chemicals in a crucible from which it drips into water where it shatters and can then be ground to a powder in a pebble mill for use in the mixing of glazes.”
From 2011 to 2015, the mugs
were of Shearwater Memories. The memories take a look into the life
of the family of the Andersons.
The 2015 mug designed by James Anderson in memory of his late brother, Peter Michael Anderson, February 21, 1931 – April 12, 2015. Michael as the family called
him was the eldest son of Peter Anderson. He loved fishing, hunting, dancing, family and Shearwater Pottery. He is missed by all of us.
The 2014 mug designed by James Anderson is dedicated to Patricia
Grinstead Anderson, known as Pat to her family, friends and visitors to Shearwater Pottery. Pat was Peter’s wife and managed Shearwater Pottery for over 30 years. Pat’s natural grace and genuine cheerfulness may have been as good for business as Peter’s wonderful pottery of which she was his most supportive admirer. Pat was also known for love of her church, making the best sandwiches for going out
on the boat or on picnics and serving Sunday dinners to the family and guests. Pat died 1973 and is still missed by family, friends, and visitors who still come to
the Shearwater Showroom with
treasured memories of her. And, the 2013 mug where the
design recalls Peter Anderson on a Wednesday afternoon bringing wildflowers or fall leaves to the Showroom to perhaps show off his pottery, or maybe just for customers to enjoy the same natural beauty that he did.
Designed specifically for the festival, these commemorative pieces can only be purchased at the Shearwater Pottery booth during the two-day festival on November 5 & 6.
Previous years’ mugs can be viewed at Shearwater Pottery and the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce.
110 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • October 2016 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net