Exploring the Gulf Coast Arts

Homemade gumbo, picture-worthy sunsets, and seafront living are all notable features that make up the culture and beauty of the lower South. However, the Gulf Coast is home to more than just beautiful beaches and delicious seafood. The art scene of our beloved area is rich in talent and history. Notable artists such as Walter Anderson and George Ohr called the Mississippi coast their home and created stunning and memorable works of art. The prevalence of art in Southern life and culture is still thriving today, as so many local artists continue to produce exceptional creations.

 

Just minutes away from our gallery is the Walter Anderson Museum. This gallery shines a light on one of the South’s most famed artists and his work. Both an artist and philosopher Anderson’s interpretation of the world in his world revolutionized the art scene in the South. This museum highlights his most ingenious creations and dives deep into the life of this exceptional artist. In addition to Anderson’s pieces, the museum features other works by local artists.

 

https://www.walterandersonmuseum.org

 

Another nearby museum is the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, which pays tribute to the self-proclaimed Mad Potter of Biloxi George E. Ohr. A coastal native, Ohr was an expert ceramic creator who spent most of his life unknown by the art community. His pieces were seen as unconventional compared to the norms of other ceramic art created at the time. However, his eccentric and sincere work heavily influenced art in the 20th and 21st centuries, and he is now labeled as an early leader in the modernist movement. Ohr’s artwork, along with other local creators’ pieces, can be seen at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum.

 

https://georgeohr.org

 

If you’re looking to experience art that encapsulates life in the American South, the pieces in the Ogden Museum of Southern Art are just an example of that. Located in the Warehouse District of New Orleans, this museum pays tribute to the culture and art specific to the region. The museum was created in 1999 thanks to the donation of more than 600 works from the personal collection of New Orleans entrepreneur and philanthropist Roger H. Ogden. His collected pieces date back to the 19th century. Some of the notable artists featured include Will Henry Stevens and Benny Andrews. Other exhibitions include current local contemporary artists.

 

https://ogdenmuseum.org

 

A hop and a skip over the Mississippi Alabama state line will lead you to Mobile. This port city is filled with rich culture and is home to several wonderful museums, including the Alabama Contemporary Art Center and Mobile Mardi Gras Museum. The most notable museum, however, is the Mobile Museum of Art. This building is the largest museum across the Gulf Coast and features thousands of permanent pieces. Although the museum hosts work from all over the country and world, it is its special exhibition that makes this museum worthwhile. The MMoA spotlights local artists from Alabama and Mississippi in continuous Southern Masters exhibition series, including local gulf coast artists Ruth Miller and Pinky Bass. The local art in this museum is a testament to the expertise of Southern creators.

 

https://www.mobilemuseumofart.com

 

 

The history and beauty of the South have been well preserved and wonderfully captured within art. The talent of both and present coastal artists is worthy of mention and praise. We encourage you to take the time to visit any of these remarkable museums in addition to our gallery!