top of page
Celestial_Seafarers_028.jpg

PAST EVENTS

Highlights from Past Events at Our Maritime Museum

From moonlit museum nights to community art auctions and garden parties with fire dancers, past events at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum have brought unforgettable energy to Savannah’s cultural scene.

 

Whether you explored tattooed history at Sea of Ink, dined under the stars at Supper at Sea, or posed for festive photos with Santa Eddie, each gathering blended maritime heritage, local artistry, and community spirit. These signature Savannah events captured the imagination of guests from near and far.

 

Scroll through the highlights, relive the memories—and mark your calendar for what’s coming next at one of the city’s most unique event spaces.

SUPPER AT SEA

Supper At Sea_Art_GLawson_-131.jpg

SUPPER AT SEA

3.14.25

Set in the gardens of Ships of the Sea and illuminated by candlelight, Supper at Sea was an intimate dinner party-meets-art auction inspired by the sea. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal, specialty cocktails, and the chance to bid on original works by local artists—all in support of future museum exhibitions and community programming.

Supper at Sea will return in 2026! Stay tuned for details.

Curated by Katherine Sandoz

The evening was curated by Savannah-based artist and creative consultant Katherine Sandoz, whose vision brought together the themes of art, community, and the maritime spirit. Her thoughtful approach to the artist lineup and event atmosphere shaped Supper at Sea into an experience both reflective and celebratory.

Participating Artists​

Each artist crafted a one-of-a-kind piece in either ceramics or fiber, exploring themes of the sea through texture, form, and storytelling. These works were auctioned during the event, with proceeds supporting future exhibitions and community programming at the museum.

Click on each artist’s image below to view their artwork and learn more about their creative process.

SSMM_ANDERSEN_headshot_ADAMKUEHL_24.jpg
SSMM_anderson_headshotoption2_nathanialryanthompson_24.jpg
SSMM-Anton-pic2.jpg
Lisa Bradley Studio Image (1).jpg
braziel_studioheadshot.jpg
IMG_1027.HEIC

Joshua
Alexander

Trish
Andersen

Ivy
Laurel Anderson

Lesley
Anton

Lisa
Bradley

Rebecca
Braziel

Meta
Carr

SSMM_cookson_headshot_25.jpg
SSMM_glusica_headshot1_2025.jpg
KatieHagen_headshot.jpg
Jennifer Huskey headshot.JPG
SSMM_Jensen_headshot_2025.JPG
SSMM_Mack_headshot_24.jpg
headshot_sharon .jpg

Tricia
Cookson

Katie
Glusica

Katie
Hagen

Jennifer
Huskey

John
Jensen

Samantha
Mack

Sharon
Norwood

IMG_7962.JPG
sandoz_oct24_emmacreightonhopson_headshot.jpg
SSMM_tankersley_headshot_24.jpeg
SSMM_Waller_headshot_25.JPG
Anne Weber Callahan - Headshot .JPEG
IMG_1276.JPEG

Alexis
Javier Perez

Katherine
Sandoz

Abagail
Tankersley

Kirby
Waller

Anne
Weber Callahan

TIMA

SEA OF INK

shipwreck.jpg

SEA OF INK OPENING NIGHT PARTY

9.19.24

We opened the exhibition in true tattoo-parlor-meets-maritime fashion: with a full-blown nighttime celebration that brought the museum to life. Guests wandered the exhibit after hours, browsed exclusive artist-designed merch, and danced under the stars to a live set from our house DJ. Food trucks lined the garden paths, and a mystical ambiance spread through the evening.

The evening featured a live performance by the Stardust Pixxies, a troupe of ethereal aerialists and fire dancers who mesmerized the crowd with sea witch–meets-celestial energy. Guests lined up for tarot readings with local mystic, Eoley Mulally, participated in a tattoo contest celebrating the body as a canvas for nautical narrative, and danced to a live DJ set by Jason B. James.

 

Many also got the first look at the Sea of Ink: Savannah Maritime Tattoos exhibit, mingling with tattooed individuals featured in the show. Savannah’s local community came out in full force—cheering on friends, family, and hometown legends

SHIPS IN THE DARK

10.11.24 | 11.8.24 | 12.13.24

Ships in the Dark was a three-part after-hours series that invited guests to experience the Sea of Ink exhibition in a whole new light—or lack thereof. Held on select Friday evenings, each event blended tattoos, storytelling, drinks, and community vibes in a relaxed, come-and-go format. With rotating themes and creative guests, Ships in the Dark became a favorite way to explore the museum after hours.

The first evening featured a TEDx-style panel hosted by featured artist Jimmy Butcher, where tattoo artists from the exhibition shared stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives on their craft. The second event set a more atmospheric tone, with a live set by guitarist Andrew Sovine and food from local culinary pop-up Sixby. The final gathering brought a festive twist, as guests posed for holiday photos with Santa Eddie—a beloved, tattooed local and exhibit participant—while browsing artist-designed merch and sipping seasonal drinks. Each night offered a unique mix of creativity, conversation, and celebration.

WAVES OF WONDER

Bradley-13 of 24 Diamond Causeway.jpg

WAVES OF WONDER OPENING NIGHT

6.5.24

Waves of Wonder was a special exhibition that showcased original works by recipients of the Artists, Writers, and Scholars (AWS) Program, a grant initiative supported by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. This multi-sensory experience brought Georgia’s coast to life through paintings, sculpture, photography, sound, and storytelling—each work offering a fresh perspective on our ocean, marshes, wildlife, and coastal heritage.

 

Designed to amplify artistic voices and deepen public appreciation for Georgia’s marine environments, Waves of Wonder expanded the maritime conversation beyond ships and tattoos, inviting visitors to consider the beauty, complexity, and culture of the coastal landscape itself. It was a powerful reminder that the sea inspires not only ink and legend—but also wonder, stewardship, and storytelling.

CELESTIAL SEAFARERS

celestial_seafarers_bg.png

CELESTIAL SEAFARERS

5.22.24 & 5.23.24

Hosted on National Maritime Day, Celestial Seafarers was an immersive nighttime event that illuminated Ships of the Sea with light, sound, and creativity. Local artists transformed the historic house and gardens into a glowing dreamscape, blending contemporary technology with centuries-old architecture. While a gentle nod to the stars acknowledged their role in guiding sailors at sea, it was the artists themselves who became the true constellations of the night—each installation casting its own light across the museum grounds. Celestial Seafarers offered guests an unforgettable evening where history met innovation, and Savannah’s maritime legacy shimmered in an entirely new way.

 

The experience will evolve once more this fall—returning as Ghost Voyage on November 13 & 14, with haunting new light installations and spectral stories rising from the deep.

Participating Artists​

IMG_3060_edited.jpg
Celestial_Seafarers_004.jpg
Celestial_Seafarers_002.jpg

Joshua Alexander

Greg Finger

Marcus Kenney

Celestial_Seafarers_019.jpg

Kevin Kirkwood

Celestial_Seafarers_026.jpg

Kristopher Maedke-Russell

Celestial_Seafarers_028.jpg

Will Penny

Celestial_Seafarers_024.jpg

Abby Portner

Celestial_Seafarers_033.jpg

Todd Schroeder

Celestial_Seafarers_006.jpg

Matt Van Rys

bottom of page