Exhibition-Shearwater at 80 November 28, 2008

This exhibition celebrates eighty years of creativity and production of an historic American crafts site and facility. In 1918 Annette McConnell Anderson bought 24 acres at the mouth of the Biloxi Bay in Ocean Springs and named it Fairhaven. She planned for the location to become a studio and art colony for her family and the community, and in 1923 the family moved there from New Orleans. Around 1926 -1928 son, Peter Anderson became interested in pottery, built a brick wood-burning kiln and Annette bought the late George Ohr’s kickwheel at an auction. Together with his father, Peter started up Shearwater Pottery in 1928. After learning from his father beginning in 1966, Peter’s son Jim took over the position of master potter and was joined by his own son Peter Wade in 1999. Mac’s daughter Adele and Peter’s children Patricia Anderson Findeisen and Michael followed their fathers as decorators at Shearwater. Peter’s daughter Marjorie Anderson Ashley has long been the business manager for Shearwater Pottery, overseeing the showroom and authenticating old pieces.