I knew we were going to like the place when I saw these cool wooden instruments near the entrance.
A lovely gift shop in the lobby is where you pay the admission fee ($10/adults; $8/seniors).
First, we watched a video about Walter Anderson in a room off the lobby. It provides a great introduction to the life and work of Walter Anderson (1903-1965). Born in New Orleans, he spent most of his life on the Gulf Coast observing, drawing, and painting the flora and fauna of the region. The primary inspiration for his artwork was Horn Island, a barrier island 12 miles off the coast of MS, where he would spend a day or weeks immersing himself in nature.
Anderson married (Sissy) and they had several children. He suffered bouts of severe depression and was hospitalized multiple times in the late 1930s. He and his wife separated in 1947, but always remained close. During his life he was misunderstood and shunned, but today is recognized as a visionary and artistic genius. She took him to the hospital in 1965 where he died of lunch cancer.
On display there is a special exhibit: For the Love of Art: Private Collectors of Walter Inglis Anderson's Work. A 2018 calendar was created using photos of each piece (on sale in the gift shop for $20/per). Below are some of our favorite pieces:
Tallow Tree (Blockprint) Frogs (Watercolor on paper)
Bluejay Saucer (Ceramic) and Lion (Ceramic)
Flower Design Plate (ceramic) Allison (Ceramic)
The Swimmer (Oak)
Returning to the galleries, we loved this pottery that was thrown by Walter's brother Peter ((1901-1984) and decorated by Walter in the 1930s-1940s.
The Public Works of Art project hired hundreds of artists to paint murals throughout the country during the Great Depression. Walter received a commission to to decorate the Ocean Springs High School with murals. Below is one of the six panels he painted. Also shown from the same era is his Chesty Horse (ceramic) and Moon and Clouds (watercolor on paper) of the Oldfield Murals.
I really love both of these paintings (watercolor on paper), Spotted Crab and Turtle.
Below are two whimsical ceramic works (Walter designed the molds, too), Fairy Godmother and King and Queen on Horseback.
During the same period (1940s), Walter began creating linoleum block prints. The two shown here continue with the theme of fairy tales: Cinderella on Her Way to the Ball and Jack the Giant Killer.
Most of the linoleum block prints are of nature. Here are some of our favorites.
Deer
Wind, Wave, and Bird Blue Jays and Pines
Alligator Gar
In the last 15 years of Walter's life, he spent much of his time on Horn Island enduring harsh conditions on the deserted barrier island to be one with nature. This painting, entitled Horn Island, is oil on board.
He would row his small boat the 12 miles to the island, sometimes overturning it on the island for shelter. A face mask of him and the hat he wore for years is also on display. Walter was frequently seen about town during these years riding his bicycle. People found him to be very eccentric during his lifetime.
Walter expressed his artistic ability in designing and building some furniture, too.
Blue Jay Table Pelican Chair
When Walter split up with his wife, Sissy, he moved into and painted the Cottage at Shearwater (pen and ink).
A small room in the cottage, known as The Little Room, was kept locked and visitors were never allowed to see it. After his death, Sissy found the key and entered the room to discover the Shearwater Cottage Murals painted on the walls and ceiling. The murals represent a day at Horn Island from sunrise to sunset. The room was relocated to the museum and looks the same as it did at his death in 1965.
Many watercolor paintings, believed to be his favorites, were found in the trunk in the room.
We both found his work to be enchanting. His love of nature shines through every piece of artwork he created. I am so glad we learned about this painter and had the opportunity to see his work. We highly recommend a visit to this museum if you are in the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Lots of galleries, shops, and restaurants can be found in in the nearby arts section of Ocean Springs.
Website: www.walterandersonmuseum.org
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