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art historic savannah savannah

Savannah Art Walk September 2016

Art Walk Collage

Fall is almost here, and the season of the Savannah Art Walk kicked off on Saturday.  I have enjoyed the monthly art walk and I think it is one of Savannah’s best free art events.  However, this season they changed a few things that I think may be detrimental to discovering local art in Savannah.

First, let me start by listing the four main things that have changed.

  1. Last year, the hotel that hosted the opening reception has changed.  It was the Bohemian Hotel, and now it is at the River Street Inn.
  2. The Art Walk starts earlier.  It used to commence at 4PM, but now it starts at 2PM.
  3. The qualifications to enter the drawing has changed.  Last year, you had to get your Savannah Art Map initialed by 10 venues. Now, you have to make a purchase of $20 or more and show your receipt to enter the raffle. Since you have to purchase something to enter, it is no longer a drawing, but it is now a raffle.
  4. The closing reception is now at the terrace pool of the Andaz Hotel. It’s very nice and relaxing, and you still get to drink a few glasses of wine.

Second, I will go over what I like this season.  Changing the time to 2PM is a great idea.  I think it gives both locals and tourists to do something in the afternoon after brunch and before dinner.  It facilitates walking around and hanging out in historic Savannah for hours.  The earlier start doesn’t disrupt evening plans as the event ends around 6PM if you don’t stay for the raffle and closing reception.

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The terrace pool at the Andaz Hotel is lovely and you can dip your toes in the pool when it is warm, and sit around the fire when the weather gets cool.

Third,  the changing of the venue from the Bohemian to the River Street Inn would not be a big deal if the area didn’t feel as cramped. This can be remedied easily by actually removing some of the tables and chairs.  The  Spider Tea cocktail sponsored by El-Rocko Lounge may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoyed it.

Lastly, the most significant change is moving away from free drawing to essentially a $20 raffle. To enter the raffle at the end of the art walk, you must purchase something at one of the venues that it at least $20.  If the goal is to get more people to spend money at the various venues on the art walk route, then maybe this will work. However, I personally like to talk to many artists and look at their work. Going to at least ten places to get your  map signed made the art walk a game.  The gamification of the art walk was a major appeal. People actually enjoy getting their maps initialed by artist, gallery owner or store employee.  There are fifteen venues on the map that you can try to visit in three hours. It is very much like how people love to play Pokémon GO.   Now, the incentive is gone to go to as many places as possible.  It also makes it less likely that people will go farther away from the City Market and Broughton Street area.  Roots Up Gallery located on Liberty Street is a great folk art gallery is one that shouldn’t be missed.

I will continue to attend Savannah Art Walk, because I like talking to artists and seeing their work.   I just hope that the organizers make sure that the changes are aligned with the goals of the artists which is to get more people to see their art, and for people to have more fun.

 

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art historic savannah savannah

December Art Walk

December Art Walk Savannah

This is the fourth month in a month in a row that I have attended the monthly art walk, and I always have a great time. I didn’t win anything at the raffle, but I enjoyed checking out work from local Savannah artists.

I missed the trolley but since it was a warm night, I walked to the art galleries in downtown Savannah. The galleries I attended are Tiffany Taylor, Kobo Gallery and Roots Up Gallery/Meryl Truett and Friends. At Roots Up, I met artists Lisa Ocampo and Kristie Duncan.

I also browsed the City Market Galleries which houses several artists. I stopped by Carrie Kellogg, SNichols Art, Stephen Kashun , Sue Gouse, Sabree’s Authentic Gullah Art and Samantha Claar’s Gullah Living.

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art savannah

October Savannah Art Walk

savannah art walk october

The collage above features artwork from Dana Richardson, Samantha Claar and Anthony Gomez who were some of the artists featured in the monthly Savannah Art Walk. The monthly Savannah Art Walk is an event that Savannah locals should attend. It’s fun, free and there’s wine. It reminds me of going to Chelsea on Fridays in Manhattan for art opening or Final Friday in Over-The-Rhine in Cincinnati. If you go to at least ten galleries, then you will be entered into a raffle at the end of the night. There’s a some nice prizes, and  I won a print from artist Sue Nichols. Yay!

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art savannah

Savannah Art Walk

savannah art walk attendees

The second Saturday of the month is the  Savannah Art Walk.  The Savannah Art Walk is a fun monthly art event where local artists are featured in galleries and stores.  The welcome reception was held at the Bohemian Riverfront Hotel, a boutique hotel on Bay Street with views overlooking the river. Red and white wine was flowing and it is where you pick up the art walk map.  Hosted by artist and entrepreneur Tiffani Taylor, a few of the local artists were on hand to talk about their work.  Then the walk started.  You have three hours to visit as many galleries as possible. The more galleries you attend, the better because if you attend 10 or more galleries, you are entered into a raffle that takes place at the Andaz Hotel.   I did,  and I won a sample of L’Occitane products. [My hands have never been this soft.]

I was excited to attend the walk since I met Tiffani Taylor at the beginning of the summer.  It was great to walk around and meet new people, talk to artists about their work and learn more about Savannah.  I was especially impressed at the art at Kobo Gallery. Coincidentally, one of the artists is my neighbors, Dana Richardson.

Anyway, I had a blast, and I highly recommend attending Savannah Art Walk every month.  In the past, I thought about getting a master’s degree in arts administration,  so this is not coming out of left field. I enjoy art, and I was a volunteer at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati and an intern for an arts organization in college.  The art walk has also inspired me to curate a show of Savannah artists in New York. I don’t know how I can do it, but it’s possible.  I believe in infinite possibilities.