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e ‘Living’ t of Peter Beer s

at

Nervous Ne ie’s Jams & Je ies

By Dawn Lamoureux-Crocker

Phot s courtesy of Peter & Anne Beerits

Peter Beerits has been making sculpture for many
years in a repurposed general store that he rescued.
Tucked in the woods off Sunshine Road on Deer Isle is the location of Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies. What you may not realize
is that this is also the location of an imaginary town called Nellieville. Created by artist Peter Beerits, Nellieville’s quirky sculptures
come to life through various mediums and themes. Peter’s “found object” sculptures are an imaginative use of discarded materials.
An average person might consider the chosen medium junk, however, Peter’s creative mind has assembled a life work of buildings
and interactive sculptures creating his very personal fantasy land that covers the wooded area around his home and shop.

Upon graduation of art school, Peter and his wife, Anne began Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies as a way to supplement their income.
Today Nervous Nellie’s makes up to 300 jars a day during the busy season. Two cooks assist in the production and their head cook
has been with them for 25 years. Their jar label is distinctive and eclectic, depicting a red cartoon bird running with a spoon. Their
jam is absolutely delicious and they offer a variety of flavors such as Blue Razz Conserve, Sunshine Road Marmalade, Strawberry,
and of course, Maine Wild Blueberry.
Peter said that as a kid he always imagined he would be a famous artist with
his own gallery. In a sense, his dream has come to fruition. His outdoor
“gallery” occupies the five acres that house scores of sculptures and rescued
and created buildings that make up Nellieville. Although he indicated that
the metal pile at the dump is “less fruitful” these days, people often give him
things and he also travels around to find pieces that will finish his projects
perfectly. Many of the buildings in Nellieville are constructed from wood
that came from a 200-year-old sawmill near Bath Iron Works. Wood of
that age is a rare and precious commodity. The fascinating history of the
re-purposed material is given new life by the artist.

“The sculpture park is child friendly. It is a great delight for kids, and they
can interact with it on their own level,” Peter said. “I love to see the joy it
brings to children.”

While visiting the sculpture park, one will find a Wild West town, a castle,
a church and over 100 sculptures dotted through the property. There is a
three-story wizard’s tower that was built specifically for a play called
Avalon: the Rise and Fall of Camelot that was performed through the
Stonington Opera House. The exhibit is not yet open to the public but
expects to be in due time.

The Guardian Night stands at the portal to the Grail Castle.

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