Savannah’s ARTS Southeast Revitalizes Local Art Scene with Community Engagement and Innovative Exhibitions

Savannah’s Art Scene Comes Alive with ARTS Southeast

In the heart of Savannah, a vibrant hub for the arts is bustling with creativity and collaboration. Welcome to ARTS Southeast, a local gem that’s as much a gallery as it is a community gathering place. Founded in 2014, this two-story brick building located in the lively Starland District serves as a welcoming home for artists and art lovers alike.

A Community Hub for Artists

Jon Witzky, the program director, is passionate about fostering an inclusive space for the artistic community. “We really want to be a central hub for the arts community here,” he shares enthusiastically. Along with co-founder and executive director Emily Earl, they continue to expand the vision laid down nearly a decade ago. With a mix of creativity and hard work, they work tirelessly to keep the art scene thriving.

Exhibitions and Residencies

Stepping inside ARTS Southeast, you’re greeted by the Ellis Gallery, which hosts fresh exhibitions every six weeks featuring talented artists based in the Southeast. The gallery also boasts a supporter gallery curated by the talented textile artist, Samantha Mack, showcasing the rich diversity of local artistry. But that’s not all—this creative haven provides 26 below-market-rate studios for artists, including a coveted spot dedicated to the ON::View Artist Residency. This month-long program offers artists free accommodation and a workspace to explore their creativity.

In recent months, the residency welcomed a mix of unique artists. In September, the talented Kansas-born and New York-based filmmaker Byrdie O’Connor focused her lens on women and queer stories. October brought in New Zealand artists William Franco and Miki Seifert, who together founded an exciting artist collective known as With Lime. Their performances and installations deftly bridge the intersection of culture and technology. Witzky believes that “the residency brings people from around the world to Savannah so that there can be a cultural exchange. It’s great for everybody.”

The Power of Community and Culture

Not only is ARTS Southeast a gallery, but it also doubles as a shop for locally-made goods by artists and writers. And if that wasn’t enough, Witzky and Earl also produce Impact, a culture magazine that features prominent voices in the art world. The latest issue, released in October, showcases a captivating interview with Jeffrey Gibson, a celebrated artist who represented the U.S. at the Venice Biennale.

Each month, the community comes alive during the First Friday events— a fun and family-friendly street fair filled with vibrant performances, live painting events, and sometimes even a local fortune teller offering a glimpse into the future. They’ve instituted the creative Drive Thru Art Box, a public initiative that invites art appreciation in the parking lot of Green Truck Pub, famed for having the best burger and fries in town. Can it get any better than that?

Facing Challenges with Resilience

The heart and hustle of Witzky and Earl shine through, especially when faced with challenges. In June, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis made headlines by cutting $30 million in funding for arts and culture institutions, prompting a rush for resilience. “Arts and culture are what make civilizations great,” Witzky notes passionately, emphasizing the importance of supporting these vital initiatives.

A Bright Future Ahead

On a bright note, ARTS Southeast has recently secured a Georgia Council for the Arts Bridge Grant, ensuring they can sustain their programming into the future. Exciting exhibitions are on the horizon, too! A collaborative exhibition with Gallery 2424, featuring multidisciplinary artist Will Penny, is already generating buzz.

As Savannah continues to burst with creativity, Earl declares, “Savannah is really bubbling with this intense creative energy right now. You can feel it across the art scene and the music scene and the food scene.” And it’s evident that ARTS Southeast is fueling this burgeoning creativity, making Savannah a truly remarkable place for art lovers everywhere.