The Walter Anderson Museum opens a new exhibition, "A Succession of Flowers," on June 2, 1997. This exhibition reflects Anderson's lifelong appreciation and reverence of natural beauty of the Gulf Coast in his depiction of both wildflowers and cultured blooms from southern gardens.

Flowers such as day lilies, azaleas, and pansies are featured in large and small watercolors, and elegant line drawings of zinnias will also be displayed. The magnolia is exhibited in many stages of life, from a brilliant red seed pod to a full blossom. More than 100 works will be on display, which may inspire both artists and gardeners to create boldly.

In 1930, Walter Anderson wrote to his then-fiancee, Agnes Grinstead, of his plans for a cottage garden after their marriage: "It wouldn't be so hard to plant a garden of wild flowers so that there would be something growing all the time." Anderson, an adventurous gardener, often painted the flowers he grew and wrote of his admiration of their beauty and power: