The humble chair has much in common with most politicians: Neither inspires a great deal of thought unless unduly rigid, overly soft or when they’re conspicuously absent from view. In commemoration of the Telfair Museums exhibits, The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design and Sitting in Savannah: Telfair Chairs and Sofas, South explores the history and origins of the chair featuring some of Savannah’s most ardent art supporters posing with their favorites.

Recently, Savannah was chosen as one of the top cities in America for art. And, it’s no wonder. With places such as SCAD and the Jepson Center upping our artistic game, Savannah is becoming a powerhouse in the art world. Some of the best places to see Savannah’s artistic side, however, are the hidden gems and unknown galleries around town.

Liz Sheffield-Hayes

Telfair Museums celebrates its 33rd Annual Ball, Bash, and Art Auction event Saturday, February 23, at the Telfair Academy and Jepson Center. A highlight of Savannah’s social scene, the Telfair Ball is open to Director’s Circle members and the Telfair Bash is open to Telfair members only. The Bash has fittingly been dubbed “La Dolce Vita,” or “The Sweet Life,” and both ball and bash will continue the celebration of the exhibit Offering of the Angels with the theme Bella Firenze. All proceeds from tickets and auctions will benefit the Telfair’s outstanding exhibitions, educational programs and acquisitions.

Luca Signorelli painting photo courtesy of Telfair Museum

The holidays are finally here! Looking to add some holiday cheer to your calendar this weekend? South has you covered with some of the most festive events taking place throughout the Lowcountry. These family-friendly events are sure to fill you with joy and happiness, the kind that is brought by the magic of the holidays.

By Kayla Griffin

You don’t need to go to Milan, Paris, or New York to enjoy the arias and ariosos of Opera. On October 27, in celebration of National Opera Week, VoicExperience will be bringing some of the best of American Opera to Savannah.The event, An American Songbook Concert, will include music from everything from Broadway to opera and feature composer Carlisle Floyd. Concert goers will enjoy scenes from some of his most famous works such as Susanna, Of Mice and Men and Wuthering Heights, introduced and directed by the 86-year-old composer himself.

Images by Andrea LaGrow

Gray’s Reef is one of the largest, near-shore, “live-bottom” reefs in the southeastern United States and is located just off the Georgia coast. Every year the Gray’s Reef Ocean Film Festival brings awareness to the protected area, whose value as a natural marine habitat is recognized nationally and internationally. The organization kicked off their event with the film Turtle: The Incredible Journey at the Telfair’s Jepson Center.

Performed by the Owens Thomas House interpreters with Connect Savannah’s Editor-In-Chief Jim Morekis as President James K. Polk, the film tells the story of the former president’s dinner with the Owens family during his 1849 visit to Savannah. Much like the popular PBS series Downton Abbey, Dinner with President Polk gives viewers an opportunity to witness an evening from the varied perspectives of the men, women and enslaved staff of the household—all within the Owens-Thomas House, the historic setting in which the events took place. The film is produced by Telfair Museums and Cosmos Mariner Productions.

Tania Sammons, Curator of the Owens Thomas House and Telfair Museums’ Decorative Arts, discusses the current quilt exhibition on display in the Jepson Center.  Museum Admission, Free to Telfair members. telfair.org

Last night The Jepson Center was transformed into Rick’s Café Américain during Savannah Dance Festival’s Casablanca fundraiser featuring world-renowned dancer Gerri Houlihan, Co-Dean of the American Dance Festival.

Images by Connie Gomez

South Magazine celebrated its 6th anniversary at the Jepson Center Saturday night with a release party for its Feb/Mar issue featuring the arts. Three levels of the museum were filled with guests who were treated to dance performances, sketches and a fashion exhibit by Savannah Arts Academy students. The black tie affair brought out Savannah’s finest including platinum-selling country star Billy Currington and Project Runway All Star April Johnston. Dramatic red lighting illuminated the soaring marble walls and highlighted dancers posed on pedestals dressed in red and black tutus. Savannah Arts Academy award-winning designer Grant Flinn’s gown made entirely from recycled material was modeled by Carolynn Heebner.

Images by Connie Gomez