Saucier native shares artwork ahead of 46th annual Peter Anderson Festival

SAUCIER, Miss. (WLOX) – At the Peter Anderson Festival, visitors will get a taste of beautiful artwork created by painters, potters, and artists from across the southeast — many of which are from the Coast.

That includes Saucier native Saucier artist Elizabeth Huffmaster, who has been painting for most of her life. She is preparing to show her work at the 46th installment of the annual event, which she’s appeared for over 20 years.

“It’s a chance for me to connect with my customers,” she explains. “A lot of people I only see once a year at the Peter Anderson Festival.”

Huffmaster developed a skill for drawing when she was 7 years old. That’s when her parents enrolled her in private art lessons.

“I loved it,” she described. “Piddled with it all through high school and a little bit in college.”

She went on to get a degree in graphic design, but after her son was born with disabilities, she became a stay-at-home mom. Her connection to painting grew deeper.

“I turned my hobby for art into what is now a pretty busy career,” Huffmaster added.

Huffmaster has won the festival‘s Blue Moon Art Project several times. Her work is again featured on the event’s official poster. A walk into her shed brings surprises sprinkled with watercolor.

“I‘m going to end up selling out of my ornaments [and] most of my note cards and Christmas cards, so it’s a pretty lucrative event for me,” she noted.

The Peter Anderson Festival is the largest arts festival in Mississippi where artists and food vendors from across the country visit. Huffmaster hopes to stand out among the many vendors there.

“The longer you do something, the better you get at it,” she said. “I‘m really happy when someone comes by and says, ’You know, I bought this piece and I look at it every day. I just love it.’ That makes me feel good.”

For more on the event, visit www.peterandersonfestival.com.

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