Ocean Springs, Miss. – Walter Inglis Anderson: Everything I See Is New and Strange, which debuted at the Smithsonian Institution’s Arts and Industries Building on September 25, 2003, and which was on view to critical and public acclaim until January 11, 2004 to an audience of more than 300,000 people will return to its place of origin in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, where it will be presented until September 18, 2005. This exhibit, which marked the centennial year of Anderson’s birth, was the largest solo exhibit ever to feature a Mississippi artist at the Smithsonian Institution, and placed Anderson squarely upon the national stage.
The reception will take place at the Walter Anderson Museum on Thursday, June 2, from 6 – 8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
Following equally successful exhibits at the Dixon Gardens and Galleries in Memphis, Tenn., and the Ogden Museum of Art in New Orleans, Louisiana, where it was among their best attended shows, this comprehensive overview of Anderson’s work will be installed at the museum in Ocean Springs, the tranquil town which houses the museum dedicated to Anderson’s creations, and where he spent the overwhelming majority of his time. Inspired by the flora and fauna of the Mississippi Gulf Coast as well as by its inhabitants, the paintings, watercolors, drawings, prints, furniture, pottery and sculpture that this most prolific of artists created in this locale serve as stunning evidence of his love for the region and his insightful renderings attest to his enormous skill as a draftsman as well as colorist.
“We are delighted to welcome the Centennial exhibit home,” said Marilyn Lyons, executive director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art. “This exhibit was conceived here, and after the excitement of the Smithsonian debut, it is a pleasure to showcase this beautiful body of work for the many art and nature lovers who were unable to attend the Washington, D.C. exhibition.”
This retrospective of the artist’s work is an overview of the diverse subjects and places that Anderson observed, experienced, and recorded; it will include the Smithsonian exhibit in its entirety. The key works that will be featured represent some of the finest examples of Anderson’s artistic versatility: two of the six large W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration, Federal Arts Programs, of the 1930’s); oil on panel; Shearwater pottery; linoleum block prints; and an Arts & Crafts display. Washington Post senior art critic Paul Richard, in his review of the Centennial Exhibit, stated “I walked in and was amazed”. The venerable critic compares Anderson’s works to the creations of Vincent Van Gogh.
“It was very rewarding to curate the Smithsonian Centennial exhibit, which represented a unique opportunity to display the talents of Walter Anderson”, said Patricia Pinson, Ph.D, curator of the Walter Anderson Museum. “This homecoming, which resonates so strongly in this community, is therefore especially fulfilling.”
April Newlin and Dr. Donald Bradburn will sign Newlin’s debut book, Horn of Plenty: Season in an Island Wilderness which contains the photographs of Dr. Bradburn, an award winning conservation photographer. Newlin, the recipient of a Florida Press Association Award for Outdoor Writing has authored an enlightened history of Anderson’s beloved island, which has been much anticipated by nature lovers and art aficionados. Dr. Bradburn was one of the earliest and most staunch supporters of Walter Anderson’s work. This book is their premiere collaboration. For those who wish further education about this subject, Dr. Bradburn will offer a slide show and lecture. Ms. Newlin will also be available to answer questions.
The following day, on Friday, June 3rd, Dr. Pinson will conduct a gallery walk of the exhibition, which is open to the public.
The Walter Anderson Museum of Art is located at 510 Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs.
For further information, please call (228) 872-3164.
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