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The expansion project was paid for through a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. The Jackson County Board of Supervisors contributed $18,000 to this project and will be at the event to present WAMA with the check.

Along with unveiling the expansion WAMA will be celebrating the opening of two new exhibits. In the main gallery, Dusti Bongé: The Lion Roars explores the work of Dusti, a contemporar and close friend of Walter Anderson. On display in the new galleries will be Painting People: The Social Art of Walter Anderson, which features many works never before exhibited.

Charter Bank is proud to be a sponsor of the WAMA project.  We invite you to join us in celebrating The Walter Anderson Museum of Art in their latest unveiling. You can visit WAMA on Washington Avenue in downtown Ocean Springs.

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Five years ago, we rolled up our sleeves, sat at the table with people from our neighborhoods, our churches, our schools and we began to build a better bank.  The blueprint was simple… to give our community what they wanted, while operating in tumultuous economic climate.  We set our vision to measure our success, not by corporate standards, but by our customer’s standards… your standards.

Although the days of making loans by handshakes and IOU’s are in the past…we still offer the same friendly smile, the same sincere handshake, and the same desire to help you achieve your dreams.

Charter Bank made a promise to measure success one-to-one, and five years later we celebrate because of your trust.  We opened our first office in March of 2008 in Biloxi – and you came.  Followed by three additional branches; Pascagoula, Ocean Springs, and Gulfport – and you came.  In response to your trust, we acquired T. Graham Mortgage, Inc.  to help you find and safely finance the home of your dreams.

Five years ago, we believed that our friends, neighbors, and community should be able to trust their bank… the way we used to.  Today, you have given us five years of success for which we are grateful.  And we are more committed than ever to maintaining your trust.

Now, we invite you to celebrate with us, as you are the measure of our success. Watch for our five year celebration this March at the location of your choice.  We look forward to continuing to work with you over the coming years.

Watch for upcoming announcements about our 5 year anniversary celebrations!

For more than 30 years, the Peter Anderson Festival has celebrated the art and craft of local hands and area artisans.  Attracting vendors from all across the region, the festival has become a focal point of appreciation and fellowship.  Ocean Springs, Mississippi shuts down its historic downtown streets and makes room for thousands of coastians and visitors to roam freely through the street.  Meandering between vendors and stately oaks, there is beauty found in the natural scene and the created art.

Each year, the festival coordinators opens up a friendly competition between the artisans.  And the winners for the 34th Annual Peter Anderson Arts & Crafts Festival have been announced. This year’s “Best of Show” presented by Blue Moon went to Paul Kuhn and Van Outlaw of Hartford, Alabama for their European style metal work. The “Mississippi Press Award of Excellence” was given to Michael Fagen of Pensacola, Florida for his mixed media 2D fine art.  The “Award for the Creative Arts” was given to Brian and Paige Greer of Falkville, Alabama for their handcrafted jewelry made with coins. Each winner received a framed poster with Shearwater tile and monetary award.

Whereas, we are all excited for every entrant, we are most proud to congratulate our very own Kelly Nitz of Ocean Springs, winner of the “Peter Anderson Legacy Award”, for her wheel thrown and hand painting pottery.

We at Charter Bank, are proud of the rich heritage our cities have to offer.  We not only celebrate the successes of our citizens, but we celebrate the successes of our greater Gulf Coast – which we are proud to call our home.

Britney recorded the third longest women’s jump in Olympic history which was over five inches longer then the second place finisher.

To achieve the status of “Best in the World” is a remarkable feat but at Charter we’re even prouder that Britney dedicated her victory to the people of the Mississippi Coast and hoped that her win would inspire continued rebuilding still necessary following Hurricane Katrina.

Congratulations Britney from your friends at Charter Bank.