Walter Anderson Museum of Art

Fascinating art museum showcasing the life and work of Walter Anderson. Well worth a special trip to Ocean Springs!

I'm not an artsy guy. I did not expect to like this, and I could not have been more wrong. Anderson's genius was on clear display. It is impossible to come away from here and not be impressed.

We added three hours to our drive to visit this museum, and we are so glad we did! We all loved the mural in the community center, especially the kids. And my daughter and I were very interested in the pottery. That was a part of his story that we didn't know.

I Was Driving Downtown Ocean Springs Mississippi....Now Area , Great For Families and Fishing

We were recently in Ocean Springs for our daughter's wedding at a beautiful local venue The Jackson Pearl, and this museum was on their venue list of "must see" experiences that we shared with the entire family. Feeling very grateful we took their advice as it was a wonderful short and peaceful walk from our accommodations, and was an afternoon filled with beauty and history. We highly recommend taking time to visit this incredible Museum to anyone visiting the area. Make sure to add time in your planning to enjoy the surrounding gardens, shops and bistros. We walked down the street to their local beach afterwards and soaked in a paint worthy sunset.

This is an incredible museum of amazing art. We so enjoyed learning about Walter Anderson's interesting life and career and seeing his work up close. I found his art to be not just beautiful but very moving. This collection is a national treasure. I can't wait to go back.

We went for a day trip and walked through the cute little quaint town of Ocean Springs. We made our way to the museum and it was absolutely lovely. The artwork and all of the stories combined. It was a wonderful experience.

A peaceful and educational way to spend an afternoon. Plentiful information on the artistic foundation of Ocean Springs concerning Shearwater and The Anderson's legacy. I like to think it's like taking a walk through a beautifully mad artist's mind.

What a complete and pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting such an amazing and comprehensive collection and tour. I highly recommend doing the audio tour. It's extremely well done and gives you such an incredible look inside of his life. The staff was incredibly friendly and it was an overall great experience.

I visited this art museum because a friend of mine had recommended going. She loves his work so I wanted to see it. The museum was very welcoming and the art in the gallery was amazing. Along with Walter Anderson's art there were other artists work in the gallery. There was photography and pottery and history. The museum is free they do have a gift shop and a gift shop. It is well worth the time to visit and see the beautiful art work.

One of the cultural spots that I was told to visit in Mississippi was the WAMA and it's one of the last stops on my tour of the Biloxi and Ocean Springs area. Walter Anderson painted pictures of animals, landscapes and coastal fauna all around this area. The museum was chartered in 1974 and dedicated in 1991. The main attraction is the immersive mural that covers all four walls of the 300 square foot Ocean Springs Community Center, which Walter "sold" to the city for a dollar. And he never cashed the check. The museum is of course a collection of his artworks and I lucked out today with a fantastic docent who gave me a lot of information about Walter's life and process. Like many artists, there was definitely something going on in his head and that differentness expressed itself as amazing artwork. I know that Yelp won't do the panorama picture of the community center very well, but it's worth the trip to see. I really enjoyed my visit and have a new appreciation for Walter Anderson. I will be looking for his unique style as I visit other museums. [Review 14178 overall, round number 1500 of 2020, number 69 in Mississippi.]

I have had this museum on my list of places to go for a long time. It only took Hurricane Ida to chase me out of New Orleans to an apartment with AC down the street to get me there! I was really surprised how large the museum is. And while there are many many Walter pieces, there are also things made by other family members. And the way they incorporate Anderson family art along with other artists is great. Congratulations to the curators for a great job! The exhibit Bearing Witness (through Feb 2022) was stunning. I loved the little room and just wanted to stand in the center and soak it all up. And in contrast the civic center was a breath of fresh air with its wide open space. While this was my first visit, it will definitely not be my last.

I have had this bookmarked for several years now. I just haven't been in the area until recently and I am so glad I came. Art by local artists, this is a relaxing place to walk around. Sculptures outside. Very unique spot. Reasonable price to get in, friendly employees and volunteers.

A top-notch small scale museum. Walter Anderson's range as an artist is unparalleled. His contribution to the community center through his outstanding mural is second to none. Come visit this museum, you will not be disappointed.

Go. Just go. You won't regret it. I love this museum and everything about Walter Anderson. His art captures the soul of the gulf coast.

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in Ocean Springs is a one-of-a-kind experience. Normally, artists settle on one or two mediums for their expression in art. Yet, in my opinion, Walter Anderson crossed all artistic boundaries. His art boasts painting on canvas and wall murals; wood sculptures; block prints; carvings; sketches; and botanical drawings and writings. The museum pays homage to his broad array of art forms and even includes a narrative of his life and times. With his early childhood in the Garden District of New Orleans (in 1903), the richness of life near the river and lush foliage largely influence his art. I was particularly fond of his brilliantly colorful paintings of southern indigenous people and the whimsical murals he painted (in 1934) for the city of Ocean Springs. Of note, the museum campus features the "Little Room Murals" which is a beautiful backdrop for weddings and other venues. As I learned at the museum, these murals chronicle the transition from night to day throughout the synthesis of plants, animals, and brilliant colors. One museum guide even shared with me that Walter Anderson's wife had also painted part of a bird in one of his wall murals. Such a beautiful expression of love and art!

A must-see for anyone visiting from out of town. Once you hear Anderson's story and take in his artwork, you'll be wondering why he isn't a nationally-known household name. Admission is reasonable for the extent of the experience. Take the time to watch the introductory video, as it will give you context for what you're about to see. Note: There is a separate shop where you can buy additional prints of Anderson's work, beyond what's available in the museum's gift shop. This is worth checking out if you enjoyed the art. They offer prints from Anderson's original blocks, hand-painted by local artists.

The museum is a must see in Ocean Springs. The price is affordable ($10) and there is so much to see. The story of Walter Anderson is so unique and the museum captures his work and history.

Went to this museum with the family on a special free admission weekend. Going on a regular day the prices are very reasonable. This is a staple location to visit to learn more about the Gulfcoast and it's history. Located in the middle of downtown Ocean Springs this museum was a great place for family day. Heads up you have to park in the street to be able to get to the museum. The good thing about this place is that it's not so big that it is overwhelming for you if you have have small children like me. There is a small art room for children. It had pieces of the local wildlife and animals to the area and a large stand up chalkboard. They also had a small video room where they played a historical video on Walter Anderson. My favorite part of the museum was the colorful "magic room." It was Anderson's private area and was said to even be off limits to his wife and children. I love museums and exposing my kids to art and culture. Be sure to check it out next time you are in Ocean Springs!

Interesting place, but not worth the cost. Two of the galleries were taken down and being repainted. They were the galleries we especially went there to see. I sure wish someone had informed us before we paid.

Every time I visit my grandfolk near the Back Bay in Gulfport/Biloxi, I try to explore the area a little more and learn about my family's lives and experiences in the area. A couple of visits ago, my mom showed me some of her favorite old haunts in Ocean Springs for the first time. One of the highlights of the trip for me was seeing the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. Walter was truly an interesting man, a real "outsider artist." There is a truly unique vibrancy to his paintings, showcasing his very absorbing and fresh perspective on the world around him. His drawings and renderings of various local wildlife (particularly from Horn Island) encouraged me to drag my family out to one of the barrier islands... we finally agreed on West Ship Island... and it was amazing to see the black dolphins (or were they porpoises? heh?) and large hermit crabs... that completely recalled his artwork. My visit to this museum was truly fascinating and enlivened my cultural experience on that trip to the Gulf Coast... I've since returned to the Museum while in the South visiting my grandfolk. Highly recommended.

The tour guide knew a lot about the museum and paintings. This was an interesting tour and I believe the kids learned a lot. For individuals who love art, this is a must. The safe is very helpful and knowledgeable.

When you walk in, hanging up high -- just beyond and above the absolutely rad lobby -- are a worn out skiff and an antique bike. The bike Anderson rode from Mississippi to New York. And the boat he rode out into the Gulf to soak up its colors and rhythms so that he could transfer them to canvas and wall. This was quite a man. His art is vibrant. A kinetic melding of tribal Incan angles and cheerful Main Street colors -- mostly used to portray people plowing -- through air, a moment, water, anything. I've never seen such interesting use of wakes. From boats. And from the human soul. And the fellow once did something splendid that crystallizes him and his spirit... a moment of poetry caught in a simple deed. The poor man was a tad nuts, apparently, but also very willful, and after a stint in a mental facility, he'd decided he'd had enough and knit blankets together so that he could escape out a window. Now, that in and of itself is not so unusual. Kind of a garden variety prison break. But what he did next was the grace note: as he rappelled down, he stopped all along the way and sketched farewell murals of free birds on the prison walls as he descended. Beautiful moment. In truth, it's now one of my favorite collections of art. This guy Anderson is a champ. And wait until you see the community center he did. I won't explain. You just have to go there. The whole museum is being reinvigorated by the skilled museum Director, Rosemary. You want a dosage of grace and charm? Visit her. PS - in addition to charm and skill, Rosemary possesses moxie and business savvy. After my visit, Rosemary met me in the gift shop and shared a bit more of her passion for the museum and the mechanics of supporting it -- e.g. how much of the proceeds from the gift shop go toward the museum, etc. I left the museum with memories and visions... and an expensive necklace.

This artist is amazing. He became "one" with nature and his surroundings. Very informative signs all around the museum and a video which follows walter Anderson around on his island trips-- all making for a personal look inside this interesting mans life.

LOVE this museum...This was my second experience here and it only got better. Spacious, with lots of natural light. Open, Airy space. Great layout and presentation of his works.The first time I was here over 10 years ago and it was a pleasant experience. Kind of cramped and dark I thought though at the time. Great Local, Southern artist that has some beautiful water colors depicting southern life and the Natural beauty of it's Creatures.

One of my favorite museums here on the coast. You get the pleasure of learning about an incredibly interesting artist and step inside his mind.

I really appreciate this JEWEL of a museum. It beautifully showcases Walter Inglis Anderson's art, plus some of his family members'--all in a clear chronology that tours you through his life stages and styles. The very very special jewels, in my opinion are: 1) the town hall whose walls were all done by him and 2) his magic room that was his retreat, off limits to even his wife and children. I've been here about 7 times. It's worth a detour to visit!!

After driving 9 hours from KENTUCKY on Feb 13th to spend a Valentines weekend in beautiful Ocean Springs, we arrived at the Museum on Sunday, Feb 14th to find a hand written note posted on the door "CLOSED TODAY FOR A VALENTINES PARTY". The hours posted on the door state Mon-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm and Sundays 12:30pm-4:30pm. The website states "The Museum is closed New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day." There also was NO posting on the museum website "Events" tab that the museum was going to be closed on Valentines Day.... Several people were there decorating for the event and were very rude as we entered the opened doors to ask questions about being able to purchase posters or an item from the shop. They couldnt get us out of their way quick enough... My husband planned this "bucket list" trip for me MONTHS in advance. Needless to say, after YEARS of wanting to tour the museum because of my LOVE for my state of Mississippi, Mississippi artists, and just anything Mississippi, I will NOT be back. Chose one only because ZERO was not an option.....

I found myself lost there many times. I loved that lost place. I'd rented a cottage on the water in ocean Springs for a few years to hide from the crowds and pace. Walter Andersons life and works soothed my soul on many occasions. I bought all the books, lots of Shearwater Pottery and proudly strolled the beach with his cat t-shirts. Anyone out there that hasn't gone to this magical place, book it and go. I hope you feel the magic I felt every time I stepped into any of his special spots. Myrl T