The fact that I knew nothing about Walter Anderson was a fault that was corrected today. This museum is a gem! It is absolutely beautiful and parts of this man's genius will have you shaking your head. The museum is built next to the Ocean Springs Community Center so that they can allow visitors to look at what he did in the 1930s as part of a WPA project. For 1$ he painted murals around the entire room. The estimated value of these murals today is 30 million. Anderson's demons also created his genius. See the film depicting his life before you go through the museum and it will help you appreciate his art. The room from his cottage that was unlocked after his death and moved to the museum is just breathtaking. After this visit, drive to Shearwater Road to go through his family's wonderful pottery.
The history, the film of his life .. All were great! Beautiful works of art! Will go again even if I have seen it several times! It's worth coming back to see!
This little museum is a must for any art lover. Walter Anderson was brilliant and reclusive, and his works are like those of no one else. As others have said, do a little reading before you go in order to fully appreciate the artist and his family who have made sure that his legacy is maintained appropriately. The museum houses rotating collections of Anderson's works, but one constant is the small room, painted on every surface, that was not seen until after his death. That room alone is worth the trip. One especially nice feature is a phone number that you can call while in the museum and enter codes that correspond with different exhibits to learn more about them. The price of admission goes toward keeping the museum and the equipment necessary to preserve the works operating, and it is worth every penny. After visiting the museum, you may also be interested in visiting Shearwater Pottery, which was owned by Walter Anderson's brother, Peter, and is still operated by his family
We were unfamiliar with Walter Anderson before this visit. Wonderful introductory film, a beautiful space and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing so much of his work.
Great setup of the Anderson art. Great location so you can walk to other areas of downtown Ocean Springs. Beautiful area.
If you like Walter Anderson's work, you will love this museum. It is located in a repurposed train depot. It has lots of original work and plenty of items for sale.
$10 dollars per person, is over priced. Some of Walter Andersons' art can be seen up front. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! You be the judge!
We had been to Sheerwater Pottery in the 1980's. We became acquainted with the Anderson family who was operating the pottery and watercolors. The artist had a separate room he went to for rest and artistic expression.The works from that spot have been relocated very effectively into this museum on this quiet street just a block from many shops that now make up a very charming town.The $20 for the two of us felt like both entrance to a fulfilling experience and a contribution toward this very finely finished and displayed museum.We would love to return. The modest gift shop has thoughtfully selected items at good prices. We hope this will continue to grow and thrive. Do not miss the murals covering all of the walls in the adjacent community center. It is magical. The artist was paid $1. This was his choice. A letter is on exhibit in the museum along with furniture this hard working and devoted man made.Most impressive!!!!!
Before we visited Ocean Springs, we had never heard of Walter Anderson. We had stopped in the Anderson family run gift shop the previous day, so had learned a little about him. The museum celebrates his genius, his art, and his eccentricities, which were many. We happened to attend on a Sunday when they were having some sort of Dr. Seuss event for kids and we were waved right in without paying the customary entry fee (reasonable). We spent quite a bit of time with a volunteer at the museum who is a knowledgeable FAN of Anderson and learned much more about the man and his art. One of the highlights of the museum is a mural that Anderson painted in the community center attached to the museum. This mural depicts the history of Ocean Springs and was painted by Anderson for $1.00 as a gift to the city. The mural is now insured for $31 million according to our volunteer. If you are in Ocean Springs, go! You will not be disappointed.
Extensive exhibit and wonderful video on Walter Anderson in a beautiful new building. A bid pricy for senior citizens .