My wife is a traveling artist. She does 15 or 20 shows a year in the eastern states and occasionally my schedule will work out where I can tag along. This show in Savannah was one that I was able to make. It had been years, I don’t want to say how many, since I had the pleasure of a brief interlude with this wonderful city. Normally I will assist in the set up of her booth and will stay very much in the background unless she needs me to spot her for a break. I have no expectations that I can converse about the nuances of her art and technique as well as she can and I am always relieved when she returns. I am much more comfortable reading a book or newspaper behind the booth or visiting and taking in the rest of the show. A spousal working weekend break as it were. I’m a photographer and a break is fine but there were too many opportunities calling out, so this is my small slice of Savannah in and around the festival.
Early Friday morning 70 artists begin the logistical task of unloading their tents and work and proceed to create a 10 foot by 10 foot environment to sell their wares, much like bazaars in faraway and colorful locales. So for a weekend these artists become shopkeepers that not only entice with wonderful art but also get to interact with their potential patrons. All are accomplished artists and many do these festivals full time, for some traveling all across the country. By Sunday they pack up and head to the next show or back to their studios to produce more work.
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Savannah is one of great old cities of the South. Full of history and with a vibrance that is an amalgamation of long time residents and young students from SCAD and several other colleges. A true pedestrian Historic District with over 20 park squares and a downtown that has maintained founder James Oglethorpe‘s original town plan from the early 1700‘s. The Telfair Museum, one of the oldest public museums in the South, has been the sponsor of this art festival for 20 years.
© 2026 David Luttrell