Enjoy the many murals of Savannah
Even before the Savannah College of Art and Design stepped into the art scene, art in Savannah flourished. But over the last decade especially, bland brick buildings and functional façades have transformed into art pieces, signs of encouragements and community outreach opportunities. Artists have collaborated with small businesses, big corporations and everyday townsfolk to breathe life and creativity into Savannah’s historic buildings and paint the city better and brighter. However, finding the many murals of Savannah might require venturing a little off the beaten path, past the Historic District.
Montgomery Hall Mural
50th Street and Montgomery Street
On the face of SCAD’s Montgomery Hall building is an explosive mural by artist and co-founder of Savannah Art Walls, Matt Hebermehl. The four-part mural welcomes students and visitors alike with its vibrant colors and chaotic movement. Every art lover and design junky walking into the doors of “Monty” gets a touch of inspiration before crossing the threshold to create their own art.
Kayak Kafe Midtown Mural
66th Street and Paulsen Street
Kellie Walker’s spotty and Islamic-art inspired mural was made in conjunction with Kayak Kafe in Midtown. A once beige brick wall was brought to life with Walker’s bright geometric shapes. A SCAD alumna, Walker returned to Savannah from L.A. not only to bring life to the block, but also bring the Latin and Caribbean flavors being served inside the restaurant outside.
West Broad Street YMCA Mural
1110 May Street
In a collaborative effort, students of the West Broad YMCA art program teamed up with Mike Williams, Jose Ray and Matt Hebermehl to liven up the center with a mural that tells the stories of the children that attend The Y. The childlike and innocent art that covers the space narrates the life of the little one’s who come to the YMCA and gives a pulse to the once forgotten West Broad Street.
40space Mural
40th Street and Drayton Street
Local artist and DJ Jose Ray brought his brush down on 40Space giving it a touch of a Savannah scene by painting woman lounging under Spanish moss, reading a book. A languid yet lively scene, Ray depicts Savannah through its favorite medium: art. Ray leaves his artistic mark on the oak tree with his tongues and drips.
Miracle on 34th Street
34th Street and Reynolds Street
Emergent Structure’s E.34 Greenhouse has been a staple in the community since 2013. SCAD alumni Lydia Batchelder and Justin Montan, along with three local student artists Jeffrey Stevens and Calin and Cameron White, collaborated with The Dream Campaign in an effort to build a better Savannah and hope to the area.
SAFE Lee Mural
Desoto Avenue and 39th Street
Tommy May, the man behind the SAFE Lee brand, adorned the wall of his pre-existing Lee O’Neil Gallery with a painting of two profiles. The gallery, owned by May and his girlfriend Gwen O’Neil, was open from September 2015 to late June 2016. May, a SCAD photography alumnus collaborated with a friend and also SCAD graduate, Brian Chegini, to deck the wall of the gallery with contrasting red and blue colors and his infamous brush strokes and characterizing design technique. Although the gallery is no longer there, the mural remains.
Jewish Educational Alliance Mural
5111 Abercorn Street
A 43-foot wall was no match for Cierra Selby. Selby, who is not actually an artist, bound together with local artists so they could leave their mark on their community and aid organization like the Jewish Education Alliance. Selby gathered more than 60 people to pay tribute to the Jewish concept of “Tikkun Olam,” the “repairing of the world,” through social action and justice.
Mary Lacy Mural
41st Street and Whitaker Street
Vermont native and national artist, Mary Lacy, swooped into Savannah with a new project in mind. Lacy, in collaboration with Art Rise Savannah and locals, created a 13-by-40-foot mural depicting four native Georgia bees. Painted in February 2017, the mural is something to look out for during your next visit to Savannah.
No Man’s Land Mural
1930 Montgomery Street
Savannah local artist, Maggie Hayes painted a tribute piece in memory of Jack Johnson titled, “The First Black Heavyweight Champion.” As part of her No Man’s Land exhibition at Welmont Gallery, Hayes explored masculinity through various artistic mediums in her work. Hayes’ first ever work of such a scale hangs on the north wall of the Welmont for all to see.
Edgewater Trace Apartments Mural
10714 Abercorn Avenue
Katherine Sandoz’s mural is located on the Southside at Edgewater Trace apartments. The Mural depicts land, skyscapes and waterways of the city. Sandoz was commissioned to create a camouflage scene to enhance the residents’ experience. The mural calls attention to the already existing beauty of the Lowcountry’s landscape.
Leonard Miller Murals
Various locations in the Historic District & on Tybee Island
A talk of the town, the late and great “Sandman,” no mural list would be complete without Miller. Encouraged by friend and award-winning interior designer Jane Coslick, Miller began to experiment with painting garage doors and wall art as opposed to his usual sign painting. Miller is known for his signature script on buildings and businesses around town. His legacy remains and hints of his work still live throughout Savannah. Unfortunately, most of his work has faded away over the years, or been destroyed.
The Beauty Of Plant Riverside
400 W. River St.
Mural painted by Niki Zarrabi in Savannah Georgia for the Plant Riverside District of Savannah, owned by the JW Marriot. Flowers are all Georgia native flowers chosen to complement the history of the Southern culture.
