SHIPS OF THE SEA MARITIME MUSEUM
LOCATED IN THE HISTORIC WILLIAM SCARBROUGH HOUSE AND GARDENS
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
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.
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Joshua
Alexander
Trish
Andersen
Ivy
Laurel Anderson
Lesley
Anton
Lisa
Bradley
Rebecca
Braziel
Meta
Carr
Tricia
Cookson
Katie
Glusica
Katie
Hagen
Jennifer
Huskey
John
Jensen
Samantha
Mack
Sharon
Norwood
Alexis
Javier Perez
Katherine
Sandoz
Abagail
Tankersley
Kirby
Waller
Anne
Weber Callahan
TIMA
SEA OF INK
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
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
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
Joshua Alexander
Greg Finger
Marcus Kenney
Kevin Kirkwood
Kristopher Maedke-Russell
Will Penny
Abby Portner
Todd Schroeder
Matt Van Rys
OUR FAMILY DAYS
FAMILY DAY AT SHIPS OF THE SEA
Our Family Days invite the community to connect with Savannah’s maritime heritage through creativity, learning, and play. Each event transforms the museum and gardens into a lively space where families can explore hands-on art projects, meet local partners, and discover the many ways the sea continues to shape our city.
These free community events are designed to inspire curiosity, celebrate coastal culture, and encourage the next generation to explore the vital maritime careers that keep Savannah’s port thriving. Whether crafting, learning, or simply enjoying a day in the gardens, families are invited to return again and again — discovering something new with every visit.
Family Day will return in 2026! Stay tuned for details.
WAVES OF WONDER
6.29.24
Waves of Wonder Family Day invited guests to explore the beauty of Georgia’s coast through art and imagination. Inspired by the Waves of Wonder exhibition, this event featured live artist demonstrations, hands-on creative stations, and sensory experiences that celebrated coastal life and marine discovery.
VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY
11.24.24
Guests embarked on a true voyage of discovery through art, history, and imagination. Inspired by the Sea of Ink: Savannah Maritime Tattoos exhibition, families explored hands-on creative stations like scrimshaw crafting and sidewalk chalk art, while tattoo artist Pat Crump guided young artists through the art of illustration. Community partners filled the gardens with interactive booths celebrating local culture and maritime heritage — transforming the museum into a lively port of creativity, storytelling, and connection.
SET SAIL FOR ADVENTURE
5.18.25
In celebration of National Maritime Day, families set sail on a journey through Savannah’s seafaring history at Set Sail for Adventure Family Day. Inspired by the legacy of the SS Savannah—the first steamship to cross the Atlantic and the vessel once owned by William Scarbrough, for whom the museum’s historic home was built—this free community event brought maritime heritage to life through creativity and play.
Guests created their own messages in a bottle, explored ocean-themed art stations, and learned how innovation and imagination shaped life at sea. Community partners joined in with hands-on activities that celebrated navigation, storytelling, and discovery—transforming the museum and gardens into a harbor of adventure honoring Savannah’s proud maritime legacy.
SPLASH ON THE HIGH SEAS
7.20.25
Families made a splash at Splash on the High Seas Family Day, a water-themed adventure hosted in partnership with Safe Kids Savannah – Memorial Children’s Hospital. Designed to keep kids cool while learning about sun and water safety, the event turned the museum gardens into a lively harbor of hands-on fun.
Safe Kids Savannah led the way with engaging activities on lifejacket use, safe boating practices, and sun protection, combining education with play. The highlight of the day was the energetic “Man the Buckets” game, where families worked together to race against the clock in a test of teamwork and coordination. It was a day of laughter, learning, and community spirit — celebrating Savannah’s connection to the sea and the importance of staying safe while enjoying it.
