Second Saturday Art Walk, December 2024

12/5/2024

December 14, 2024

For more than 30 years, the monthly art walk has become one of the most popular events in the region. Old Town stays lively all day, with many merchants and restaurants offering specials.

The pace picks up from 4–7 pm, when gallery openings and live music keep the streets humming with activity.

This Second Saturday
is supported by

December's Hot Spots are Thorny Oyster, 104 N. Beach Boulevard; S. Kohler Design, 112 S.Second Street; and Hancock County Historical Society, 108 Cue Street. Read more about these featured businesses below!

- By Kirby Rhodes and Dena Temple

Editor's Note

We want to apologize to Dragonfly in the Bay, one of November's Second Saturday hot spots. We erroneously listed Thorny Oyster as a November hot spot in its place, but that was not correct; Thorny Oyster is a December hot spot. We hope you will take advantage of Dragonfly's amazing grab-and-go meals and catering services this holiday season, which includes breakfast items, charcuterie, entrees, dips, h'ors d'oeuvres, and much more. Give yourself a break and support a local business!

Dragonfly in the Bay
131 Main St., Suite C | (228) 344-3104
Hours: Tu-Sat 9 am - 3 pm

Thorny Oyster
104 North Beach Blvd., BSL | (228) 688-0401
Hours: Tu 5-10; We 5-9; Th-Sa 11-10; Su 10-2

Thorny Oyster is a renowned dining destination in the heart of Old Town Bay St. Louis. Housed inside the Pearl Hotel, it is known for its elegant aesthetic and coastal charm.

Upon entering Thorny Oyster, guests will take in the classic and intentional design and décor. With high ceilings and a rich color palette, the atmosphere is unique and comfortable. The most eye-catching feature of the restaurant is the open kitchen, where patrons can watch as their meals are meticulously prepared.

Executive Chef Jeffery Hansell’s dedication to food and his restaurant is apparent in every aspect of the Thorny Oyster. Chef Hansell himself designed the restaurant, from the bold wallpaper to the gilded accents. Growing up on the Gulf Coast, Hansell always wanted to enhance his community, and his commitment is reflected in the creative menu and overall dining experience. His goal was to create a welcoming environment that would appeal to everyone, whether they were coming in to celebrate a special occasion or coming in from a long day on the water.

Thorny Oyster’s menu draws inspiration from a range of sources, including the low-country style of North Carolina, Louisiana, and Spanish and French influences. A seafood-heavy menu features options such as clams, mussels, lobster, oysters, and crab, making it a must-visit for seafood enthusiasts.

Experience why Thorny Oyster is the ultimate seafood dining destination by visiting this Second Saturday. Celebrate their Hot Spot status with live music and savor Chef Hansell’s creative menu, which highlights the Gulf Coast’s diverse seafood offerings in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

S. Kohler Design
112 S.Second Street, BSL | (228) 342-7232
Hours: M-Sa 10-5; Su 10-3

Housed inside Century Hall, S. Kohler Design offers a bounty of locally made items.

Born and raised in Bay St. Louis, Sharon Kohler and her husband, Ron, a U.S. Air Force veteran, started S. Kohler Design in 2017. Their business started with the design and meticulous construction of wine bottle wind chimes. Over the years, their business has grown and evolved into so much more.

The couple specializes in glass, wood, and stainless-steel etching and engraving. After only five short years, Sharon and Ron opened a store bay on the third floor in the Shops of Century Hall.

Visit S. Kohler Design this Second Saturday to wrap up your Christmas shopping. You can find something for anyone as they offer items like cigar box clocks, purses, trinket boxes, 3-D wall art, and art from fellow local artists.

Hanock County Historical Society
108 Cue Street, BSL | (228) 467-4090
Hours: M, Tu, Th, F 10-3; W 10-5; Sa 1-3 (closed 12-1 M-F))

The Hancock County Historical Society (HCHS), located in the Kate Lobrano House, an 1897 shotgun house located at 108 Cue Street in downtown Bay St. Louis, is one of the most important depositories of historic material on the Gulf Coast.

Charles Gray, who served as executive director of the organization until his death in 2022, was instrumental in growing the membership of the organization to almost 1,000 and finding ways to engage the community. In 2021, the group launched its first Cardboard Boat Race, a fundraiser that turned out to be wildly popular. The organization’s cemetery tours are always well-attended, also.

Also in 2021, HCHS premiered its first documentary, “Connections Matter: An Oral History of the People & Places of Hancock County, Mississippi,” The documentary was the brainchild of HCHS board member Virginia Olander, a professional musician and composer from New Orleans. Part of the grant that funded the project was used to create a video kiosk at the HCHS headquarters. Here, visitors and members can select segments to watch from a video menu, including parts of "Connections Matter."

Copious amounts of information are available through the Society’s ever-expanding website, where the cache of digitized records available for research increases every day.

Through the efforts of volunteer researchers, writers, computer aficionados, organizers, and “boots on the ground” folks, the Society continues to add to its collection. Many local and New Orleans families have donated records and images, which are scanned for archival and research purposes. Personal materials, including private letters, tell stories and even provide details on very personal matters. No matter what the letter, album, or image, may contain, that information is made available to the public.

On Saturday, December 14, from 4-6pm, the Society will host an open house featuring Lois Wilson, who hand paints designs on oyster shells and creates other items from shells. Come enjoy eggnog and cookies while watching a slideshow of vintage photos of scenes from around Hancock County.