The Mississippi Gulf Coast is renowned for its art pottery, being the home of George E. Ohr, "the…read moreMad Potter of Biloxi." Today, the most well-known art pottery comes from Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs, across Biloxi Bay from Biloxi. Founded by the family of local artist Walter Anderson, they continue to produce both decorative and utilitarian pieces, including what appear to replicas of designs created by Walter Anderson himself. The glazes are mostly soft earth tones and cool hues of celadon, jade, and periwinkle. Shapes tend to be simple, toeing a fine line between rusticity and modernity. Sadly, the details on many of the mass-produced figurines (the curled fish, the woodpecker-handled mug, the doves) are virtually non-existent now, likely from overuse of molds that have been worn smooth.
I'm not exactly sure why Shearwater continues to produce the figurines of workers with jet black skin, bright red lips, and white eyes and teeth (these stereotypical representations would usually be referred to with a term beginning with the letter "J"), often carrying sacks of cotton or dressed as a mammy. I'm far from politically incorrect, but even I was taken aback by these ― especially in the overwhelming quantity stocked here. I'm sure there is some significant history to these figurines, but still, perhaps Shearwater might consider discontinuing this line.
The items are not cheap: A coffee mug will cost $20-$22. Small vases are $48-$60. A hand-painted replica vase in a Walter Anderson design? That will be $700. There are a few unique pieces tucked in here and there that one really must keep an eye out for, like the two-tone horse figurine decorated in an Ancient Greek-inspired motif for less than $30. Perhaps most importantly, Shearwater Pottery's showroom is still pretty much the only place to buy their product: They're entirely Luddite, writing up receipts with pen and paper. Don't expect to make purchases via internet from Shearwater; the showroom is pretty much the only way to get their products.
Whether or not Shearwater Pottery's product is worth the price is entirely subjective: I have seen some art pottery in the Biloxi area for comparatively "better" prices, and some for what I would consider much more ridiculous prices, too. (My parents thought the $50 I spent on an eight-inch decorative owl I gave them was pretty insane.) As far as the yankees and West Coasters go, Shearwater Pottery does have a combination of time-worn pedigree, artistic connection, and relative obscurity that should give their wares proper snob appeal. If one can overlook the profusion of racially insensitive ceramics, it's worth considering a visit to Shearwater Pottery on any visit to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
