Her vision, in clay

Potter Marlene Nelson wanted to make and sell 1,000 ceramic mugs and use the proceeds to finance a library for Kethani township in South Africa. Her death from cancer didn’t end the project, thanks to friends and fellow potters at Harvard’s Ceramics Program who kept her dream alive. Guest of honor Episcopal Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, also a potter, will speak briefly at tomorrow’s “1,000 Mugs for South Africa’’ Pottery Show. Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. Mugs are $25. Parish of the Messiah, 1900 Commonwealth Ave., Newton. 617-527-8505. www.1000mugs.org