Page 36 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2015

ARTS wall comes to life
THE REEF
story by Susan Ruddiman photos by James Edward Bates
Asuccessful restaurant entrepreneur and a passionate marine artist have combined their talents to create one of the largest outdoor murals in Mississippi. Since late spring, images of sea life have been created under the touch of artist Marty Wilson on
the north wall of The Reef Restaurant on Beach Boulevard in Biloxi.
“We wanted the restaurant to stand out from every other one that’s on the beach,” said Rob Stinson, executive chef and owner of The Reef. “And we didn’t want it to be
Mural
tacky.”
Stinson has been a fan of Wilson and his art since he
opened his first restaurant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2002, so he didn’t hesitate asking for the artist’s help. “When Marty and I discussed the mural, we knew it
would be a huge undertaking,” Stinson said. “It was monumental,” Wilson agreed.
The north wall of The Reef is around 180 by 70 feet. Basking in a sea of clear blue waters are marine life found in the Gulf of Mexico — yellow fin tuna, bottle nose dolphins, mahi-mahi and more. Wilson added his
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