Page 52 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Summer, 2025

DINING
Gazing upon the intricate, vibrant, and eclectic works of the illustrious artist Walter Anderson, his uncanny ability to awaken not only the mind but also other senses intrigues art lovers near and far. Enthusiasts can now indulge their dining palate after touring the Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) by taking a short stroll to the new restaurant, The Traveler!
This century-old house showcases an art-and-food- inclusive concept as a cafe and art space honoring Anderson’s adventurous spirit. Situated directly behind the jewel-box museum in Ocean Springs, The Traveler has been reimagined as a coffee shop and restaurant, a cultural and community hub, and an immersive contemporary art exhibition connecting Anderson’s legacy to modern craft and creative economy.
The Traveler’s hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with daily breakfast and lunch items. Highlights include biscuits from a local venue, The Greenhouse, freshly baked bread for sandwiches, and a Coast favorite, smoked tuna dip!
“We are spotlighting a lot of purveyors and talented culinary professionals around the region because the Anderson brand is about supporting locally sourced,” he said, adding there will also be special evening events
AN ARTISTICALLY IMMERSIVE DINING EXPERIENCE
with cocktails as well as local and traveling chefs in the kitchen.
Inspired by Anderson’s art and escapades across the world and within his own backyard, The Traveler opened last month as a living travelogue of this renowned human locomotion’s journeys. And although he was an unblinking artisan excursionist, drawn to worldly adventures, Anderson always returned home to Ocean Springs, leaving his artworks, thoughts, and ideas behind for generations to discover at the namesake museum. His story is told by artists and crafters who painted murals, designed furniture, and created tiles to add to his legacy. The Traveler is the newest addition to the City of Discovery’s Downtown Arts & Entertainment District. It will give visitors a relaxed chance to sip coffee among various artworks or take a stroll and explore the wondrous flower and herb gardens.
“We have about a dozen different contemporary artists who are represented both inside The Traveler and in the landscape,” Rankin said. “So, walking over there is not just about getting food and drink, but it’s an extension of the museum experience because there is art all around you.”
Some of the featured artists include Anderson’s daughter
52PLAYCOASTALMISSISSIPPI I SUMMER2025
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