Ocean Springs: Arts, History, Charm
Story and photos by Allison McCrory
Looking for art and discovery and Southern warmth all in an easy day trip? Head west to Ocean Springs, Mississippi, a less than two-hour drive from Pensacola.
Southern Living honored Ocean Springs in its 15 Most Adorable Small Towns. USA Today trumped that by ranking it first in their 10 Best Coastal Small Towns.
What’s all the hoopla about? Like most compelling sites, words don’t capture the charm. But it could be the beautiful walkable downtown, or the friendly vibe, or the coastal attractions (minus the crowds) or the art scene inspired by a rich family history.
One of the town’s greatest attractions is the art and legacy of the Anderson family. The work of brothers master potter Peter Anderson, watercolorist Walter Anderson and ceramicist and painter James Anderson, infuse Ocean Springs, inspiring its nickname, “Art Hub of the Gulf Coast.”
ANDERSON ART DEFINES OCEAN SPRINGS
Be sure to check out the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, which displays the middle brother’s work but also offers a window into an eccentric soul. The nearby community center features the murals Anderson painted in 1951 as a gift to his beloved town. Considered Mississippi’s greatest artist, he was compensated $1, and the town came close to painting over them before eventually embracing the works as a treasure.
Other Ocean Springs Anderson jewels are Realizations and Shearwater Pottery.
At Realizations, silk screened prints designed by Walter Anderson can be purchased or ordered. Wearable art, books and decor abound.
Venture into Shearwater Pottery showroom and workshop and you just might encounter Peter Anderson’s 89-year-old daughter Marjorie, who has had a hand in the business for most of her life. Shearwater is nestled in 22 acres of wooded property overlooking the Mississippi Sound. The Anderson brothers’ mother, Annette, an artist herself, purchased the property in 1918 with a vision of creating an artists’ colony. Her vision took generational roots that thrive today! Peruse Shearwater’s museum pieces and modern works to take home as well as the natural beauty of its surrounding woods and water, which inspired much of the Anderson art.
The Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival is an annual event that last year attracted about 150,000 patrons enjoying the works of 400 artists. This year’s festival will be held Nov. 8 and 9.
SHOPPING, MUSEUMS & EATERIES
While the Anderson family is Ocean Spring’s claim to fame, the town boasts much, much more.
The walkable downtown is filled with quaint shops, boutiques, antique stores, galleries and eateries. Coastal Magpie, Hillyer House, Ocean Springs Mercantile, The Beatnik, The Hemingway and Poppys are a few must-sees.
Stop for a bite while perusing downtown at The Lady May where the crab cakes are a patron favorite. Another Ocean Springs culinary staple, Phonecia Gourmet, offers made-from-scratch Middle Eastern cuisine. Be sure to bring your own alcohol! For a historic lunch or dinner setting, check out Aunt Jenny’s Catfish Restaurant. The restaurant is housed in an antebellum home overlooking Historic Fort Bayou. Sunsets peek through the outstretched branches of 400-year-old oaks. Aunt Jenny’s fare is just as expected — Southern, comforting and delicious. While you’re at Aunt Jenny’s why not visit Julep Room Lounge? This cellar lounge and music venue is said to have been a frequent stop for Elvis Presley.
Need a break and some energy to sustain your shopping/perusing marathon? Enjoy a java pick-me-up at Bright Eyed Brew Co. Creations like Lavender Cream and traditional favorites like the Americano are among the menu offerings, as are homemade waffles. Visit French Kiss Pastries for an extra-special sweet indulgence.
EMBRACING THE NATURAL WORLD
Unlike bigger cities where galleries and shops are long distances from the natural world, Ocean Springs’ culturally rich downtown is just blocks from its beaches.
Check out Front Beach, home to gorgeous sunsets and the longest mosaic in Mississippi at 120 feet. The Bridge Mosaic Mural is a tribute to Mississippi’s rich natural beauty.
If blueways are your thing, launch a kayak at Ocean Springs Harbor at the east end of Front Beach. Explore the harbor with its iconic shrimp boats and resident pelicans. To keep the adventure going, bid adieu to the harbor, paddling past the Shearwater Pottery property and arriving in Biloxi Bay. Or head the other direction to Davis Bayou and Marsh Point.
Kayaks and stand-up paddleboards are available for rent from Wild Flier or Paulou’s.
If a hike is more your vibe, you’re in luck! Ocean Springs is home to many. Fontainebleau Nature Trail, Mississippi Sandhills Crane, Twelve Oaks Nature Trail, Gulf Islands Seashore Davis Bayou Area and CCC Overlook Trail are a just a few.
