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Visions of Nature: The World of Walter Anderson

 

The Walter Anderson Museum of Art (WAMA) presents Visions of Nature: The World of Walter Anderson, February 15 - May 5, 2002. The opening reception will be held Friday, February 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Museum, 510 Washington Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS. The reception is free to members and guests of WAMA, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (MMNS) in Jackson, J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium, and The Nature Conservancy. There will be a charge of $5 for nonmembers. (left: Owl, watercolor, by Walter Anderson, circa 1950)

Visions of Nature represents a creative collaboration between WAMA and MMNS where the exhibition was recently premiered. Featuring over 70 Walter Anderson works highlighting the natural flora and fauna of Mississippi, the exhibition follows an Anderson journey from the Mainland, across the Mississippi Sound to Horn Island and also includes photographs of Horn Island by Ansel Adams Award Winning Conservation Photographer Donald Bradburn.

In and around the drawings, watercolors, and photographs peer the faces of raccoons, pelicans, crabs and frogs -- real ones! MMNS has provided specimens of the animals and birds of Walter Anderson, and suddenly the eye of the artist becomes even more incredible! At the opening reception guests can expect even more surprises.

Well-known local actor Wayne Stephens will portray Walter Anderson throughout the evening as he interacts with guests in typical Anderson fashion. The reception fare, too, will feature foods following the Visions of Nature theme.

Anderson described himself as "the artist who prefers nature to art." His environmental sensitivity and knowledge of different species make these works interesting to both the artist and the scientist, and to those of us interested in either. (right: Horn Island, black and white photograph by Dr. Donald Bradburn)

Visions of Nature is made possible by the following sponsors: ChemFirst, Yellowbook USA, Family of Walter Anderson. Organizations working in association with the museum for the exhibition include Gulf Islands National Seashore Park, The University of Southern Mississippi College of Marine Sciences, The J.L. Scott Marine Education Center and Aquarium, and The Nature Conservancy. Activities sponsored by these institutions will form an integral part of the calendar of events offered as ancillary programs of the Visions of Nature exhibition.

 

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