This exhibition will mainly cover agricultural practices and beliefs in Burkina Faso and Mali, which are within the savanna and forest areas of the Western Sudan region (South Saharan). Most of these lands can be difficult to cultivate, to control, so the farmers in these regions have to continuously strike a bargain with the spirits of the uncultivated terrain. This happens through unique festivals, ceremonies, and agricultural societies, which will be the topic of this exhibition.

The wilderness is significant in many African cosmologies because it is the inverse of culture – so by describing its characteristics, the ideal characteristics of African society can be defined. Many communities are organized into three realms, the spiritual, the physical, and the in-between. The physical realm is the controllable realm – it is orderly, governed by laws, and includes cultivated fields and domesticated animals. The wilderness is beyond human control so it is unpredictable, potentially dangerous, but there are powers to be harnessed as it can also be a source of medicine, sustenance, and wisdom. This exhibition will present a brief overview of the beliefs associated with the wilderness and the agricultural practices that follow, to show how these concepts translated into social experiences and visible form through selected artifacts from the Savannah African Art Museum.

Silver Torah scrolls once smuggled past pirates glint in the heart of Savannah’s moss-lined streets. This self-guided audio tour unlocks secret stories and hidden corners that most travelers never find.

What bold act inside Congregation Mickve Israel rattled Savannah’s elite? Who left behind a cryptic message in the Juliette Gordon Low Historic District that still stirs unrest? Why did art students at Savannah College of Art and Design suddenly vanish after midnight in 1996?

Move through shady squares and sunlit facades as whispered scandals, lost rebellions, and eccentric legacies unfold at your every stop. Each turn brings a new clue or lingering question, revealing Savannah not as an old postcard but as a restless crossroads pulsing with intrigue.

Ready to hunt for the glint beneath the Spanish moss? Press play and let Savannah’s secrets pull you in.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah, Ga. dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present “Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah,” an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. The exhibit will run through January 31, 2027, showcasing original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.

Featured “Drawn to the Sea” artists include Lucy Bellwood, Avery Hick, Rich King and Sharon Norwood.

Lucy Bellwood, a professional adventure cartoonist based in Ojai, Calif., focuses on the Anne, the legendary vessel that carried James Edward Oglethorpe and the first group of English colonists to Georgia in 1733.

Avery Hick, a SCAD graduate and Level Ground Comics Executive Editor, explores life aboard the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, marking a bold turning point in maritime history.

Rich King—who has published five books about the ocean, including Ahab’s Rolling Sea: A Natural History of Moby-Dick, Ocean Bestiary and Sailing Alone—drew inspiration from the Pulaski, a luxury steamship that suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion off the coast of North Carolina in 1838, killing approximately 130 people. He is an accomplished author and illustrator who is based in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Sharon Norwood, a Jamaican-born interdisciplinary artist who lives in Savannah, Ga., takes a deep dive into life aboard the Wanderer, one of the last ships to illegally transport enslaved Africans to the United States. In 1858, more than 50 years after the transatlantic slave trade had been outlawed, the vessel secretly carried more than 400 captive Africans across the Atlantic, landing near the coast of Georgia and sparking international outrage.

In addition to the exhibition, there is a special “Drawn to the Sea” comic book available for purchase at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum Gift Shop. The comic book was designed and published by Lee Heidel, owner and managing partner of Neighborhood Comics in Savannah, and Tania June Sammons, curator at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.). Tickets are $17.50 for adults; $14.50 for students, seniors 65 , active-duty military and veterans; and free for children ages 5 and under. Discounted family and group tickets are also available. Additional information is available at shipsofthesea.org.

Bank of America’s Museums on Us program offers Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank credit and debit cardholders FREE general admission to 225 cultural attractions the first full weekend of every month.

For the past 25 years, Bank of America has provided access to some of our nation’s greatest cultural experiences and brought new visitors to partner museums. Use the Bank of America Museums on Us Location Finder tool to search for participating cultural institutions. With more than 225 Museums on Us partners across the United States, there is an option for everyone.
Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 (the first full weekend of each month)

Savannah
• Georgia State Railroad Museum
• Old Fort Jackson
• Pin Point Heritage Museum (Saturdays only)
• SCAD Museum of Art
• Savannah Children’s Museum
• Savannah History Museum

Georgia State Railroad Museum:
All aboard! It’s train ride season at the Georgia State Railroad Museum! Train rides run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Guests can hop on board Wednesdays through Sundays now through the end of July. Please visit https://chsgeorgia.org/georgia-state-railroad-museum/ for the yearly schedule.

Old Fort Jackson:
Old Fort Jackson is a National Historic Landmark in Savannah offering daily cannon firings and interactive programs for adults, kids, and families. It features historical weapons demonstrations and interactive programming for families. Daily cannon firings occur at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Pin Point Heritage Museum:
At the Pin Point Heritage Museum, located in the former A.S. Varn & Son Oyster and Crab Factory in Savannah, visitors can experience the Gullah/Geechee culture firsthand. For nearly 100 years, the community of Pin Point was quietly isolated on the banks of the Moon River just south of Savannah. Now, you can explore the refurbished museum complex and experience multimedia presentations, exciting exhibits, and unparalleled views of the marsh.

Savannah Children’s Museum:
Step right up for a weekend of circus-inspired fun at Savannah Children’s Museum! Young imaginations can take part in hands-on activities that encourage learning, exploration, and play. Savannah Children’s Museum features over a dozen exhibits designed to expand the imaginations of children including an exploration maze, a reading nook, and a sensory garden.

Savannah History Museum:
Located in the former Central of Georgia Railway Passenger Depot, Savannah History Museum takes you on a journey through time from Savannah’s earliest days to the present, with unique exhibits and interactive experiences for the family. Exhibits include an early 20th century steam locomotive, archaeological finds from Savannah’s Revolutionary War history, and much more.

SCAD Museum of Art:
Othiana Roffiel ‘The Sky I Keep’
Mexico City–based artist Othiana Roffiel (SCAD B.F.A., painting, 2012) presents luminous paintings exploring the interconnectedness of the human body and the cosmos. Rather than relying on direct references, Roffiel allows her mind–body connection to guide the work. Forms emerge from subconscious memory and imagination, creating a visual language that is both playful and profound.

Bank of America believes the arts have a unique ability to connect people and communities and help local economies thrive. Through Museums on Us, Bank of America provides its cardholders with free access to artistic and cultural experiences across the United States at celebrated institutions ranging from art, children’s and history museums to aquariums, botanical gardens, and science centers.

Those interested can use the Bank of America Museums on Us location finder tool to search for participating cultural attractions, understand any applicable Museums on Us admission protocols, and check with museums directly for their operating hours.

Present your Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain free general admission to any participating institution during the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of each month. Cardholders only; guests are not eligible for free admission. Program excludes fundraising events, special exhibitions and ticketed shows. Not to be combined with other offers. Museum participation varies.