Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs founded by Peter Anderson in 1928

The Peter Anderson Festival takes place this weekend. Today, we are honoring its origins.

Master Potter Peter Anderson founded Shearwater Pottery in 1928 and today, the studio keeps his heritage alive as the Anderson family owns and operates it. Jim Anderson said, “He just said to practice doing it over and over and over and learn from your mistakes. Of course, you could watch him and see the forms he was making and how he used his hands and his work ethic.”

The son of Peter Anderson, Jim Anderson began perfecting his craft in his 20s while working on pottery with his father. “To be honest, we didn’t know he was special then. It seemed normal to produce that much and be that good at everything and now we know that he was special.”

Peter passed away in 1984. Now, the business is kept alive through his descendants. His son, Jim and grandson Peter can be seen throwing clay in the workshop. “Growing up around it, I didn’t know what it’s like to not.”

For 93 years, the Andersons have been throwing, glazing, and firing pottery at Shearwater.

For 43 years, Ocean Springs has held the Peter Anderson Arts and Crafts Festival in his honor. Peter’s daughter Marjorie believes that if he could see the festival today, he would be more than content. “He had a twinkle in his eye and you would know that something made him very happy. I think that you would have seen that blue eyed twinkle.”

Shearwater Pottery will not have a booth at the festival this year because of COVID precautions, but they will still be selling handmade Peter Anderson Festival Mugs in their showroom.