pARTake! pARTicipate! pARTy! with Ocean Springs Art Association!

Would you like to browse original artwork created by local Mississippi gulf coast artists?  I know you are in need of a beautiful painting, photograph, or sculpture to enhance your home living space.  Well, stop by and take a look.... The Ocean Springs Art Association is proud to invite you to their 41st Annual Fall Art Show & Sale, being held at the Ocean Springs Community Center on Washington Avenue in Ocean Springs.
Take a look behind the scenes as the members set up for the show.....and if you missed it....the opening night reception was a fun event!!!

Approximately 400 members in the 6 coastal counties have the opportunity to exhibit each year and this year almost 300 entries were hung and arranged in the community center with the Walter Anderson murals for a wonderful backdrop.

Sunday is the day artists submit work and it takes 30 to 40 OSAA members to assist with assessing the artwork for correct size, etc...and processing entry fees.

Even though, it is a long day....everyone is excited to see the artwork and visit with each other!

Vicky and Liz are serious about making sure all bases are covered!

It takes a special talent to carefully hanging and placing the artwork.......I love the bunny with hands!!

Beautiful pottery pear!!!

The colors are spectacular!!!

 Wonderful fall watercolor!!!  A winner in the show!!!

I love these seahorses and their big eyes!

The opening on Friday night was festive with flowers and decorations:

Great food.....

A little bubbly and wine to get the guests in the mood to purchase art!!!!

Happy bartenders provided great service to all attendees!!

You can still stop by to view and purchase art:  (You know you need to treat yourself to a special and original Christmas present!)
                                      Ocean Springs Community Center
                                       512 Washington Ave.
                                       Ocean Springs, MS
                                       Saturday Oct. 27 - Sunday Nov. 10
                                        10-4 daily, closed Nov. 5 & 6 for elections

Cruisin' the Coast..Ocean Springs Style!

Whew.....after a dry spell of blogging, I HAVE RETURNED!!!  And yes, as the front page of the local paper states OS was taken over by legions of classic cars and visitors for the 16th Annual Cruising the Coast.  I think all 6,000 cars showed up in Ocean Springs from Thursday through Sunday, judging from the traffic....but lots of interesting things to see and a good time was had by all.

Cars lined the oak shaded streets.

Want to look at an engine? these owners were proud to share!

Wow!!!  Curbside service

 I found the above truck rather interesting....claimed to be a "Rat Mobile" and the owner below is holding a toilet seat....I missed the story on this one, but just one of the unique "vehicles" I saw.

Looking for entertainment?  Afternoon music was provided every afternoon.  We caught "Vince Vance and the Valiants"  singing a song he wrote, "All I want for Christmas is You".......made me wish for cooler weather.....HA!

These ladies had the difficult task of judging the cars, good thing they were dressed to blend in with the crowd!!

There were lots of "celebrities" wandering around....Yes, that is Marilyn Monroe showing off in her famous dress!!  And believe it or not, Elvis made an appearance....

Thank you....Thank you very much!

 

These guys must be related to Guy Fieri.......notice the purple hair.....I guess the Louisiana cousins!!!

You could also purchase your very own T-shirt to verify your participation.......

Hungry?  Food and drinks were everywhere....from the local restaurants, to food booths set up all along the street!!!

Slice of pizza and a beer!

nice selection of treats!

Wow......great bargain!

hmmm.......Margarita or Mojito....no, someone was selling Mimosas...think I will head back there!

A few more specialty cars caught my eye..........

Pretty in Pink

Banana Yellow..........

Ambulance? Hearse?

I wanted this one........only the price tag shown on the car was Yesterday's price, not today's! 

I want to ride in a red wagon, too!

I spoke to this guy briefly about his experience with Cruising the Coast in Ocean Springs.  His response,
"Well, the cars are loud, the chicks are hot, and the beer is cold........as long as I can drag these old bones outta bed and into my car......I WILL BE BACK!!"

Beer + Tacos = Happy Hour Happy!!!

How many times have you been to a bar for an afternoon cocktail and wanted to get a little snack without getting in the car and driving somewhere else?  Well, now that the Beer House is open........it can happen!  The Beer House has been open a few months and is located at the south west corner of Mosaic Tapas Restaurant.  It occupies the spot where a small bakery was located and the space next to it formerly a ceramics studio has been converted to Senor Lopez, a taqueria..........to add to the mix....the area in front of the Beer House has a patio with chairs and tables and live music throughout the week....

Sit at the 10 person bar and sample from the huge selection!

Side room with cool tables

Happy customers

 With about 30 beer selections including the "high octane" beers, how do you choose?  Select from the menu or try a flight of beers.................

Take a look, four 5 ounce samples for 8 bucks.........and with names like "The Dirty South" and "The Dark Side"  you can drink your way across the USA and venture across to Europe...









Ok, I know all this beer drinking has you hungry..........there are a few munchies available to tide you over...

Now, let's pretend you did NOT go to The Beer House for happy hour, let's say you ended up there after your third cousin's sister's wedding and it is now close to 9:30 pm and you are starving.......(the wedding cake and punch just did not hit the spot).........take a look around.... SENOR LOPEZ is looking at you from the Beer House!!!  Whaaaa?    Tacos 8 feet from my beer?   And there's a door between the Beer House and Senor Lopez, (on the way to the restroom)....IT CAN'T GET ANY BETTER!!!!

Cute dining area for eat in or sit outside and enjoy live music while you eat!

As you can see from the menu below, you can design your own taco, burrito, salad or nachos.

Secret door way is behind the screen...leads to Beer House....

                    I chose the fish tacos with a side of chips and salsa.....pretty yummy!!!

Stop by The Beer House in Ocean Springs..............it is probably "Beer Thirty"  right now....for more information and a music schedule check out The Beer House, Senor Lopez and Mosaics Tapas Restaurant online at:
                                         www.oceanspringsplaza.com