Modern Art and Stuff

Before we moved to Savannah, we knew pitiably little about the city. I don’t think we expected the romantically Southern vision of genteel ladies and well-heeled gentlemen, drawling their speech and speaking wistfully of the Confederacy. But streets dominated by pink-haired girls and hipsters with ironic mustaches? We weren’t expecting that at all! In other words: we had no idea about the existence of SCAD.

We were shocked during our first week here. Art students are everywhere, almost eclipsing the number of tourists. And definitely eclipsing the “Southern Belle” contingent. The hipster ratio has got to be as high in Savannah as in Williamsburg, NY. Yesterday I saw five kids with green hair, I swear to God.

SCAD was only established in 1978, so is a relatively new entity in Savannah. But, man, has it made its presence felt. The college has been instrumental in the purchase and restoration of innumerable buildings, doing more than its share to help re-beautify the city. With a sky-high tuition, and strong student population of over 10,000, SCAD is using its deep pockets for good, rather than evil.

The college turns out some great talent, too, as a peek in at the SCAD Shop on Bull Street will confirm. We went recently, and found so much innovative artwork… it could have been a museum, and honestly put the Jepson Center to shame.

SCAD boasts a strong foreign population; its student body represents over 100 countries, and there are branches in France and Hong Kong. All in all, we came to appreciate the influence that this influx of artistic (and mostly rich) youth has had on the city. Cool eateries, a hopping nightlife and a hip, urban vibe in a historic, conservative region. None of that would be possible without it.

shopSCAD Website
Location on our Savannah Map

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Ireland Blog

I’ve said it before, but it’s really true: in Savannah, every time you step out of the house, you’ll see something bizarre. Every single time. Here’s another random collection of images from around this odd, photogenic city.

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Make a Living with Antiques

I found myself in the middle of a fevered dream. Alone on the third floor of a house on Monterey Square, I knocked about a room filled with antiques. Chinese vases, broken beds. Faded photographs in golden frames with faces I faintly recognized. I climbed steps to the fourth floor and looked out a broken window at the nearby Mercer-Williams House. I shuddered. It was cold and in my haste to back up I stumbled, putting my foot into a hole in the floor, and narrowly avoided a crash into a warped, full-length mirror. “Time to wake up, Mikey”.

But this was no dream. I really was inside this store. This abandoned mansion filled with unbelievable antiques. I’ve never seen anything like Alex Raskin Antiques at 441 Bull Street.

Alex Raskin has been in the Noble Hardee mansion for 25 years, and has spent most of that time filling it with finds made at auctions around the world. We went inside knowing full well that we couldn’t afford to buy anything, but just wanting to see the house. Paint is peeling off the walls and windows are broken, but the dilapidation adds enormously to the charm. The guy working allowed us to wander around at our leisure, and the sheer vastness of the place won us over immediately.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but don’t hesitate to visit if you’re in the area. The antiques are amazing, expensive, and the eerie feeling inside this historic, deteriorated house is unmatchable.

441 Bull Street
(912) 232-8205 ‎
Location on our Savannah Map

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