The December 7 Event Will Celebrate the Unique Creations of the “Mad Potter”
MERIDIAN, Miss. (November 19, 2019) – The Mad Potter of Biloxi will be spotlighted during a special day of recognition December 7 at Mississippi’s Arts + Entertainment Experience (The MAX) in Meridian. George Ohr and his artistic pottery will be celebrated for Mississippi Day, which spotlights a featured community.
The event will feature discounted admission prices, free refreshments and a special Make + Take workshop for kids. Admission will be $5 for adults, $1 for youth ages 6 to 17, and kids 5 and under are admitted free. Member patrons of The MAX will also be granted free admission.
Ohr was a Biloxi native known not just for his pottery, but also his striking appearance and eccentric persona, likely the origin of his “Mad Potter” nickname. He sported an 18-inch long mustache and spent much of his time creating pitchers, pots, and vases he called “mud babies” that were twisted, warped and glazed with wild colors.
For decades, Ohr’s pottery sat in a garage behind a Biloxi gasoline station, but his work is hailed today as ground-breaking abstract sculpture, and his pieces are rare and extremely coveted among collectors. He is also the namesake of a museum on the Mississippi Gulf Coast dedicated to his life and work.
“The complex genius of George Ohr produced some of the most amazing pottery works,” said Stacey Wilson, Curator of Exhibitions at The MAX. “His work was not fully appreciated during his lifetime, but we are proud to honor his artistic legacy with this special event.”
Visitors can also experience other immersive exhibits within The MAX, which showcases the global impact of Mississippians on music, literature, art, entertainment, and cuisine. The MAX honors Mississippi’s creative legacy and inspires the next generation of creators through a unique experience of interactive exhibits. The MAX celebrates the Mississippi roots of some of the world’s greatest arts and entertainment icons — like Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, B.B. King, Faith Hill, Sela Ward, and Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson), just to name a few.