Savannah has an impressive art scene that extends far beyond the university’s campus. Around here, locals, tourists, collectors and students are all participants in this art affair. Consisting of more galleries and artists than anyone can remember, the Savannah scene likens to an amusement park — you can’t see everything in one go, but you can try.
And the Art March is good starting point.
The First Friday Art March has been under the direction of Desotorow, Inc. since July and aims to organize local artists and businesses into a monthly showcase; this month’s showcase was on Sept. 6.
Showcases are held between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on, you guessed it, the first Friday of each month.
“Turnout has been steadily increasing,” says Astoria Jellett, the funding and development assistant at Desotorow Gallery. “Businesses involved in Art March have been improving their participation, ensuring they have something — new art, live music — every month. Desotorow has been doing something new, too: instead of renting the gallery on a weekly basis, we are now giving ‘Exhibition Fellowships’ to select artists who have submitted proposals to us.”
Jellett says that the fellowships are helping to increase the quality of the gallery’s exhibitions, and has allowed young artists exposure and the opportunity to show their work for free. Marketing included.
Recent SCAD painting graduate Hayden John’s exhibition, “Manifest,” was displayed in the Desotorow Gallery and was a representation of the talent in the Savannah area. The exhibition consisted of bright circular compositions, striking painted panels of glass and a large painting.
“My current body of work is purely based on raw imagination and the beauty behind the handcrafted,” John said in his artist’s statement. “Skewed and superstitious compositions are developed through automatic actions and involuntary processes. By using bold color, my paintings present an over-imposing nature that demands attention in any space.”
Other stand-out works were displayed at the Foxy Loxy Print Gallery and Café. Provided by Maldoror’s Frame Shop & Rare Prints Gallery, the “As Above, So Below” exhibition is “a collection of antique prints exploring the relationship between the microcosm and the macrocosm…” A deck of tarot cards was also a part of the exhibition.
Also part of September’s First Friday Art March was the Indie Market, where local artists and vendors sell anything from vegan soap to wallets and bags. Perhaps the most interesting vendor was The Bowmaker’s Daughter, whose nifty bowties were selling for only $15.
Not too pricey for a snazzy look.
For those looking to find some creative inspiration, or to experience Savannah’s artistic culture outside of the classroom, the monthly First Friday Art March is a surefire way to check out a great deal of the city’s art in three hours.
