In honor of Black History Month, let's talk about Savannah Black Artists that impact.
“Keep In mind I’m an artist so I’m sensitive about my shxt” - Erykah Badu
What is art? Well, that answer is subjective. To me, art is whatever you can create with your head and imagine with your soul. The next question is, what is an artist? That is subjective too. To me, artists tend to be the unsung heroes who have the courage to manifest their emotions into the physical. We all have a little artist in us, but there are some that just shine above the rest.
Here are some of my favorite Black artists in Savannah (In no particular order):
1. Nae'Keisha Jones
Nae'Keisha Jones is an illustrator and writer from Colorado, based in Savannah, Ga. She
graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a B.F.A in Illustration with a minor in Creative Writing.
Destiny: “ What role do you see yourself playing in the Savannah art scene?”
Nae’Keisha: “ I want to present myself as inspiring, approachable, and share my journey of the actual art process. I want to share things like how to submit art for shows, and why it’s important to be a member of different organizations such as the Jepson Center and Friends of African American Arts. It’s something that I didn’t know when I started.”
She isn’t just sharing what she knows but continuously learning from other artists as well. That’s why she started her social media campaign called Canvas Chats. Canvas Chats isn’t something extravagant, but real. She shares the beginning, in between, and lows of what it means to live an artist lifestyle. Canvas chats aren’t meant to be scary but to be transparent in her journey as an artist while celebrating the little moments. It is truly encouraging for people and a reason she is one of the Savannah Black artists that impact.
Her work has been featured in the Connect Savannah, Savannah Morning News newsletter “The 912”, Starlandia fence Project, and Telfair Museum FAAA Small Works Exhibition just to name a few. She is an advocate for creating visual stories for her community to enjoy and inspire positive change. She has created a fun and lighthearted web series on Instagram called Canvas Chats that shares her creative journey with the public while inviting others to create with her.
Though her work has been featured in many places and she has been commissioned to do multiple murals for the city, Nae’Keisha is still boots to the ground on sharing her work. “ I started by going into coffee shops or anywhere that I saw art featured and asked the manager how do I get on the wall?”
If you don’t know already, make sure to support Nae Keisha's upcoming showcase Color Me Inspired from Feb at the JEA Art Gallery.
Artist Interview
“I want people to see themselves in these pieces and be very vibrant. There are a variety of subject matters featured but, of course, there are a lot of black representation, black women, and black men”. At least 30 pieces honoring Black History Month. Alongside her work, she will be featuring other art pieces created by the JEA youth. Among the work, her newest venture of a limited-edition home decor collection will make its official debut. This show was created for people to engage with the artwork and get back into the essence of why people create.
Destiny: “ What do you want people to feel from your work?”
Nae”Keisha: “ Do things that protect your peace.”
2. Sonja Robinson
This artist here is as fly as can be. Located inside City Market Savannah, is the studio of Sonja Robinson.
“While exploring myself after my father‘s tragic death, I have found my gift of creativity. Not bound by one single technique or medium, I create with endless possibilities in the attempt to captivate my viewer and evoke the limitless world of art.
I use Art as the freedom to express myself without judgment and as a therapeutic tool to deal with the daily stressors of life. By shedding my life’s traumas and continuously working to become the best version of myself I have found art to be a healing tool and I offer my knowledge and services to anyone who may find a benefit of healing and creatively expressing themselves through the arts.
To be called an artist is a blessing, but to be able to reach and uplift the youth through my therapeutic paint sessions, showcasing my artwork in private residences, public spaces such as boutique hotels, salons, hospitals, and corporate buildings throughout the country is truly a dream come true and what I’d consider being favored by the most high.” - Sonja
Sonja has also extended her art therapy beyond just healing herself but the community as well. Her mindful paint sessions have been helping the youth of Savannah’s underserved communities to have an outlet to express themselves. Not just focusing on the art itself but what it means to meditate and become intentional. “ I do believe we are all frequency”. To support Sonja, a Savannah black artist that impacts, in her venture of helping children from all over Savannah but specifically the Yamacraw area you can donate to her GoFundMe. These funds are being used to buy art supplies and rent the spaces for the art healing to take place.
3. Xavier Hutchins
Xavier "Zay" Hutchins is a visual artist now living in Savannah, Georgia. He studied Visual and Fine Arts at Savannah State University, where he learned many different mediums of art from printmaking to photography, but the medium that he’s drawn to the most was painting with acrylics. In 2011, he won the award for Artist of the Year of the university. After graduating in 2013, Zay spent a few years tattooing, where he used some of what he learned from that craft along with his inspirations from music, social-political issues, life experiences, as well as using different elements from many historic art styles to ultimately create his own unique and vibrant style.
Artist Interview
“I was the kid that doodled in the corner of his notebook, but I didn’t see a way of making consistent income until I got into college and started tattooing. Through learning how to become a tattoo artist, I learned how to paint”- Zay.
With the art scene growing in Savannah, there are still not many places and platforms for artists of all forms to showcase their work. “ There needs to be more opportunities and platforms for everyone to be able to express themselves and be artists or creatives” - Zay. That’s why Zay has created what is known as Super Sundays. Super Sundays is a space where local artists can display their art and introduce themselves to the art community. This is just one of the things that makes him one of the Savannah Black artists that impact.
His art gives a sense of upliftment. A lot of his art has concepts of embracing who you are as a person and loving yourself and others.
You can catch Zay’s mural work around Savannah with Startland Yard and the Enmarket Arena being two prominent spots.
4. Spitfire Poetry
This isn’t just a singular artist or a group, but a movement. I got to speak with the dope, Jive English, of Spitfire Poetry. Spitfire was created by Renaissance and Clinton D. Powel in the early 2000s. This pioneering literacy and art group was created to give black creatives and others a place to gain visibility and share their art. Though this was a big undertaking for just two people, they were able to work with schools and programs such as the Deep Center to help kids of all creeds find their voice and share it with the world. Unfortunately, the world lost a great soul when Clinton passed in 2010, but the spirit and the energy of Spitfire were still strong with Renazanace "Rez" and the many fires they had already ignited in the students and artists in the Savannah community.
Needing to keep the dream going, Clinton entrusted Marquise Williams to carry Spitfire forward. Not only has Marquise been pushing forward with the baton as the Director, but expounding upon the vision to make it become more. “Though he may seem behind the scenes, our leader is very much active and putting in the work required to grow. He’s the beginning of our pipeline” - Jive English. “Our art scene in Savannah has amazing diversity. You get to meet people that have different perspectives and see there are not just hip hop artists or spoken word but amazing instrumentalists, Black Rock and Roll artists, and more. The art scene is as vibrant as it could possibly be”- Spitfire Curator, Jive English.
Spitfire's goal is to become a staple in the community in a way that every artist knows that they offer a launching pad for anyone who wants to get connected to the local art scene. Their ideas come from and represent the community they serve and stay true for the years to come. They are and find Savannah Black artists that impact.
Artist Interview
Destiny: “What role does art play in the development of an individual?”
Jive: “ Art is the science of exploration. It’s how you find yourself. It’s how you self-check. When I’m writing, I ask myself if I actually believe what I’m saying. Art is integral to yourself. People who really investigate their art are digging inside themselves and finding out who they are”.
Even people who aren’t artistically inclined are still consumers of it. If you listen to music, buy paintings, or even just admire them, you are connected to the arts because they speak to you and help you see yourself better.
Jive, a poet himself, currently and will continue to be the curator of Spitfire. “ A Lot of people in the community say that I throw the oop. I’m constantly looking for people and keeping my ear to the streets to stay connected with the current and up-and-coming artists for these events. I am the liaison between Spitfire and the community. We want to make sure we see the community and the community sees us” - Jive English. Spitfire is not just hosting great shows, but creating a platform that lets artists shine in the best light possible. They grow when the community grows, an integral advocate for Savannah’s artists and creating a different type of generational wealth for the kids in our community. They are more than just a group of people, but dope artists pioneering a movement.
5. Sabree
With her studio located in City Market, Sabree and her art washed me in color. This is another one of the Savannah Black artists that impact. These vibrant story-filled paintings pull at you before you even hit the door. Sabree tells the history and way of life of the Gullah people through her art.
The origin and history of the Gullah culture started from West Africa when the Africans were traded into slavery. With strength and survival, the Africans mixed their heritage with the low country cultures of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida coastal areas.
“Sabree explains that she felt the need to expose these images to the world. Her style can be best classified as Expressionism because of the bold brushstrokes, vibrant lash of colors, crossed-sectional patterns, sometimes featureless individuals, bright-eyed little girls, and boys. She is painting a legacy of mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, friends, and the Gullah people's way of life.” - About Sabree
I can truly say I felt a sense of belonging when I walked into her studio. As her painting of Goddess Oshun greeted me with a feeling of love and protection, Sabree took her time in explaining the meaning of the Goddess to the Gullah people. Sabree is a great storyteller and If you get a chance to visit her studio, make sure to take Oshun with you.
The Takeaway
There’s more to Savannah’s art scene than what has been shown. Our artists and creatives don’t all have spaces located in the tourist district but they take up space in their own way. Savannah doesn’t lack the creative talent, but we lack the platforms. Though there are plenty of artists and creators alike here, these artists here made their own platform before one was given.
Thank you to all the artists who took time out of their day to speak with me and show the most authentic version of themselves for us to share with our community. You are all more than worthy of being a Savannah black artists that impacts. In my best Tupac voice, “ you are appreciated.” Your art extends beyond the canvas, mural, or mic but has planted seeds into the community that your story is worth being told. No matter what people say, art is a form of wealth.
Check out the Savannah Local Maker's while you're here!
Artist playlist:
Nae’Keisha:
Dance With Somebody Whitney Houston
We Don’t Talk About Bruno - Encanto
Zay:
RIP Young - Isaiah Rashad ft. Project Pat & Juicy J
Jive:
Nobody - Nas
Collide - Earthgang
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