Launching Savannah’s Art Scene: Founders of the Savannah Art Club

One hundred years ago, the Savannah Art Club (now known as the Savannah Art Association) was founded to “develop art appreciation in individuals and further art in the community.” The group still exists today and is the oldest art association in the state of Georgia. From its inception in February of 1920, the Savannah Art Club quickly rose to become a site of major support for Savannah artists, helping to pave the way for the vibrant arts community that flourishes in Savannah today.

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Savannah Art Club, Telfair presents this exhibition of work by and about the founding members of the club, including local favorites such as Lila Cabaniss, Anna Hunter, Mary Comer Lane, Juliette Gordon Low, Christopher A.D. Murphy, Hattie Saussy, Margaret Gray Thomas, Emma Wilkins, and others. Savannah paintings by visiting Savannah Art Club teachers William Chadwick and Eliot Clark demonstrate how leading artists of the day took inspiration from Savannah during their time as visiting instructors.