Page 75 - Play Coastal Mississippi - Winter, 2026

works depict Coastal life, from curious animals to mythic voyages, and remain a testament to Anderson’s lyrical imagination—and his dedication to the community. In fact, Anderson painted these murals for the grand sum of $1, a check he never cashed.
Another well-known Anderson, Walter’s brother, Peter, founded Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs. Though Walter shied away from the limelight, he contributed widely to the potter’s designs and decorated forms. Their bond underscores how art and family, nature and craft, wove together across the Anderson legacy.
It’s impossible to discuss Walter Anderson without mentioning his beloved Horn Island, a barrier island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. For years he voyaged there in a small rowing skiff,
sometimes rigged
with a sail, carrying nothing but his art supplies and an open heart. On Horn Island, he lived simply and observed deeply, painting delicate watercolors of birdlife, currents, and dunes. The skiff hanging in the halls of the Walter Anderson Museum pays homage to these journeys.
Back in town, art lovers can visit Realizations, the charming shop run by the Anderson family that carries Walter’s legacy into daily life. Located in the historic L&N Railroad Depot, it offers handcrafted silkscreen prints, textiles, pottery, jewelry, books, and more— all bearing Anderson’s iconic designs. Many of the block prints are silk- screened by hand, and painted prints are hand-watercolored by local artists.
A short stroll from the museum is The Traveler Café, a cultural hub inspired by Anderson’s journeys. Housed in
a century-old building behind the museum, it serves breakfast and lunch drawn from his travels, as well as offers catering and special pop-up events. Here, visitors sip coffee from Shearwater mugs, wander through contemporary art exhibitions, and linger in a green courtyard of native plantings and public art installations.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art feels less like a traditional museum and more like a living, breathing tribute. It honors the artist’s unrestrained curiosity, his communion with nature, and his gentle, inward spirit. Whether you lose yourself in a mural, wander into the Little Room, browse the gift shop, or sip coffee at The Traveler Café, you walk away touched by the quiet poetry he found in each shell, bird, and wave.
The Traveler Café | Coastal Mississippi & RPF Media
Walter Anderson Self Portrait | Walter Anderson Museum of Art
COASTALMISSISSIPPI.COM
WINTER 2026 I PLAY COASTAL MISSISSIPPI 75
WHERE CREATIVITY BLOOMS
Visit Mississippi is proud to celebrate its participation in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade with a vibrant float titled “Mississippi: Where Creativity Blooms.” This visual symphony celebrated the state’s rich artistic legacy and featured a stage wrapped in artwork inspired by Walter Inglis Anderson, adding a whimsical and colorful touch.