Souper Mudfest 2023 to feature local potters at annual Bay St. Louis event

BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. (GULF COAST WEEKEND) - It’s one of the most popular events of the year in Old Town Bay St. Louis, and this year promises to be bigger than ever.

The Souper Mudfest Second Saturday Artwalk will take place March 11, 2023. And it happens rain or shine, because what’s better on a cold, rainy day than a bowl of hot soup?

Here’s how this unique event works: You buy a handmade bowl from a participating, local potter for $25. With it, you get a wristband, and a list of local merchants who will be serving up free, gourmet soups throughout the evening. Just show your wristband, and hold out your bowl.

This year’s offering includes an eclectic mix of more than 750 ceramic soup bowls handcrafted by 10 artists from across Hancock County. The collection is composed of both wheel thrown and slab built soup bowls in a wide range of styles, glazes and colors.

Here is the artist lineup for Bay St. Louis Souper Mudfest 2023:

  • Steve Barney, Bay St. Louis (200 bowls)
  • Joby Bass, Bay St. Louis (30 bowls)
  • Nina Cork, Bay. St. Louis (30 bowls)
  • Marc Currier, Bay St. Louis (60 bowls)
  • Judy Lee, Diamondhead (100 bowls)
  • Cynthia Mahner, Bay. St. Louis (30 bowls)
  • Julie Nelson, Kiln (30 bowls)
  • Georgia Reeves, Bay St. Louis (50 bowls)
  • Thomika Segar, Bay St. Louis (30 bowls)
  • Dale Simmons, Waveland (200 bowls)

The bowl counts above are approximate, and represent what the artists hope to have finished by March. The bowls will be on sale 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, March 11 in Old Town Bay St. Louis. Again, they sell for $25 each and vendors can accept cash or credit/debit cards.

The ambitious undertaking is a joint effort between the Old Town Merchants Association, Hancock County Tourism, and the local artist community. Organizers said one longtime favorite artist, Regan Carney, will not be participating this year as she is recuperating from recent surgery. The artist community wishes Regan a speedy recovery and looks forward to her return for next year’s event.

Gulf Coast Weekend Staff

Gulf Coast Weekend Staff

The Gulf Coast Weekend staff is dedicated to showcasing the people, places, and things that make the Mississippi Gulf Coast unique and wonderful! We'll tell you about all the great restaurants and things to do in our area to help make your weekends better.