Sometimes you discover an unexpected jewel just a hop, skip, and a jump from your neighborhood.
When exploring the area of Bay St. Louis, a beach community located across the bay from my home in Pass Christian, MS, I recently stumbled upon a folk-art exhibit nestled on the second floor of the town’s historic L&N train depot, which survived Hurricane Katrina. Here, you’ll find an extensive display of folk artist Alice Moseley’s paintings, which span over 25 years of creativity and share a lifetime of wisdom.
Although Moseley didn’t start painting until the age of 65, after teaching English at both the middle and high school levels for years, her acrylic canvases embody individual stories that convey memories and messages. One precious painting, Until Today I Thought I Was Just Folks, depicts two heavenly directions for both pets and folks at Alice’s and her husband, Mose’s, home in Enid Lake, MS, just south of Memphis, TN.
It is the one painting Moseley refused to sell because it not only depicts their home and her painting studio but also pays homage to Joe, Mr. Moseley’s bird dog, who died shortly after her husband passed. The artist shares the story behind her painting in a video interview displayed at the museum: “Joe thought he was folks,” she explained. Likely, most of our dogs share the same opinion! You can view her paintings, watch the interview, and discover treasures from her home at the museum. Though the exhibit is free, donations are certainly appreciated.
Whether you’re a fan of folk art or not, it’s hard to ignore the lessons that flow from Moseley’s work. Her paintings, described as Southern and rural, take you back to a simpler time. There’s as much to be learned from the titles of Moseley’s paintings as to be learned from her aphorisms. She approached life with a lovely sense of humor, a significant characteristic given that the Great Depression severely altered her privileged upbringing. One of her sayings struck a chord with me as I toured the museum: “If you can see something funny in it, you’ll get through it.”
Amen, sister. Amen.
When an artist waits this long to discover her true passion, she has a wealth of experiences to express. You’ll step into Moseley’s world when you visit; that’s how endearing her paintings are, reflecting many different seasons of life, often with a whimsical touch. In fact, Moseley reportedly began painting to help manage her stress as she cared for her aging mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Perhaps her legacy is a message of continuity and commitment—do something each day that you absolutely love. Since Moseley lived to be 94 years old, I think she’s on to something!
Plan a visit to Moseley’s Folk Art Museum in Bay St. Louis. It’s easy to do if you’re taking the new Amtrak Mardi Gras route from New Orleans to Mobile, with its first coastal stop in the Bay. I guarantee one thing: you’ll leave the folk-art exhibit feeling refreshed with a new perspective. Shifting one’s mindset to pursue a sweet and simpler lifestyle might be the best advice anyone could offer during these chaotic times.
