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 dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present “Beyond the Plate: Sea and Sky,” an exciting new solo exhibition featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by Rob Strati, from September 25, 2025 through April 12, 2026.

“Beyond the Plate” will showcase new work by one of America’s hottest contemporary artists. Strati has recently enjoyed sold-out exhibits at Duane Reed Gallery in St. Louis and FREMIN Gallery in New York and has sold work to top international art collectors in New York, London, Hong Kong, Dubai and beyond. Strati’s art incorporates broken porcelain plates that have been embellished and adorned with creative details. The exhibition features the artist’s latest bold, kinetic mixed-media works and limited-edition prints as well as an ambitious site-specific installation that will be suspended from the ceiling of the Ships of the Sea atrium.

Strati’s latest series was inspired by a porcelain plate from his wife’s late mother, which accidentally fell and broke into fragments. In order to preserve the shards of the shattered plate, and the memory of someone vitally important to both him and his wife, the artist began working on his “Fragmented” series, using pen and paper to “explore the possibilities of things broken and the stories that can evolve from the pieces left behind.”

Each piece of Strati’s art starts with the breaking of a porcelain plate and takes approximately two weeks to complete. Although the artist is rigorous about his creative process, he always allows space for spontaneous ideas to emerge from the fragments. Over time, he has learned important lessons about art and life by creating new works of art from broken shards.

Strati describes his work as a “mix of chaos and control” that is constantly evolving. He hopes his upcoming exhibition at Ships of the Sea will inspire visitors to think about time, creativity and beauty in fresh, new ways. All of the art in “Beyond the Plate” will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.

ABOUT ROBERT STRATI: Originally from Boston, Strati grew up in Columbus, Ohio and earned a B.A. in History of Art from Ohio State University. His art has been exhibited at leading international museums and art galleries and has been featured in The Art Newspaper, Whitehot Magazine, Reclaim, Beaux Arts, Sculpture Magazine, Vice and The Village Voice. Strati’s work and “Beyond the Plate” will also be featured in ARTS Southeast’s fall issue of IMPACT Magazine in October 2025.

The Friends of Historic Jekyll Island’s 2026 online auction is March 6 – March 15. There are over 100 items in the auction catalog, including accommodations, sports activities, food & beverages, family fun, and adventures. The catalog will be available for viewing on March 1 at https://2026fohji.charityauction.bid/ and bidding starts March 6. The auction monies are used to restore and preserve historic buildings on Jekyll Island.

The Bank of America 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 in cities across the United States, there is an option for everyone.

Georgia State Railroad Museum:
Located in Savannah, Georgia State Railroad Museum is a beautiful National Historic Landmark located at the former Central of Georgia Railway Savannah Shops and Terminal Facilities. With a fully operational turntable, you have the chance to explore historic railcars, experience the handcar, and go on guided tours. Be sure to check the train rides that run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Schedules and locomotives are subject to change, please call ahead. (912) 651-6823

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 first hand. 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:
Located within the Central of Georgia Railway Carpentry Shop, 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:
Eva Jospin ‘Into the Woods’
In her debut U.S. museum exhibition, Eva Jospin demonstrates her creative magnitude and the unique nuance of her singular practice. The range of Jospin’s expression fascinates viewers with otherworldly appeal, from the sculpted forests and architectural follies she meticulously carves in cardboard to her richly embroidered landscape tapestries and her most intricate and delicate renderings. Now through June 7

Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 (the first full weekend of each month)

Learn something new this month with a visit to these and many more Museums on Us partners in Atlanta and across the country:

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

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.