About a month ago, I took a creative field trip to my hometown of Savannah, Georgia. I intended to visit a high school friend and recharge myself while gathering some new inspiration — and I always enjoy finding something new in a fond, familiar setting.
Come on a refreshing Savannah journey with me to find new inspiration of your own.
The Vault Kitchen
We began our creative field trip with lunch at The Vault Kitchen in Savannah’s trendy Thomas Square Historic Streetcar neighborhood. This chic Asian fusion restaurant specializes in creative plates and sits in the historic Bank of America building. The Bank of America was a staple in the Savannah community for over 50 years, finally closing in 2013.
Since the Vault Kitchen is located within the old bank, you can dine privately in the actual vault, surrounded by inspiring art made from the original safety deposit boxes. The bank itself was always one of my favorite landmarks, and I remember my delight going through the drive-through!
SCAD and ShopSCAD
Whenever I’m home, I stop to visit SCAD, my alma mater. I enjoy being continually re-inspired by the university which started my wonderful career.
Most of my graphic design classes took place in SCAD's flagship building, Preston Hall (now named Poetter Hall) on Bull Street. It was acquired in 1979 as the first SCAD building, and it dates back to 1892, when it opened as the Savannah Volunteer Guard Armory.
The Hall also contained SCAD's first library, which took over the original ballroom space on the second floor. I was always inspired by the library’s unique floor mural, which depicted books and bookcase imagery.
After strolling the SCAD campus, I stopped at ShopSCAD, the unique gallery-shop which exclusively features art and designs by SCAD’s talented artist community. I’ve always been especially fond of SCAD alumna Kathryn Riechert’s Posey Cuffs, so I added one to my growing collection. My new piece bears the phrase, "Everything will be OK," which is what my dad always told us growing up.
E. Shaver’s Booksellers
Our next stop was E. Shaver's Booksellers on Madison Square, which is home to several rooms of curated books as well as three beautiful cats. E. Shaver's was a favorite of my mom, Audrey’s; every Christmas, books from the shop were waiting for us under the tree. During this visit, I met and spoke with Jessica Osborne, the new owner, about life’s inspiration and the joys of living in Savannah.
Chocolat by Adam Turoni
This past spring, President Wallace gifted me with a wonderful “happy” gift of bee-shaped honey-filled chocolate bars made by Adam Turoni. They were so delicious that I was inspired to visit the shop myself.
Chocolat by Adam Turoni is a magical Chocolate Library designed by Alexandra Trujillo de Taylor. Chocolate truffles are cataloged next to encyclopedias, novels, and various works of art. Each bookshelf section is marked with an antique brass plate, and the contents are organized alphabetically. I was also inspired by the chocolate-making process, which I was able to witness in the open kitchen.
Slow-vannah
After hours of walking to find creative inspiration, we took a break by the pool at my friend’s home. It’s beautifully landscaped and surrounded by colorful flowers and palm trees. Savannah is a slow-paced city, and is often referred to as “Slow-vannah.” Trust me, you'll enjoy your visit even more if you allow yourself to relax while you’re in town.
Wyld Dock Bar
Since I'm a water sign (Pisces), I crave being near the water, so we stopped by The Wyld Dock Bar for a seafood dinner. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, it’s a waterside hangout.
I was inspired by the relaxing atmosphere, the smell of the salt marsh, the fresh breeze, and the boat docking action. It's a wonderfully inspiring place, completely in tune with its environment. I also appreciated the custom illustration and typography on their beautiful menu.
The Breakfast Club
We stopped by my favorite breakfast joint, the “World Famous” Breakfast Club, on Tybee Island, which is a barrier island just 17 miles from Savannah. Often called “Savannah Beach,” Tybee Island has been a popular vacation spot since the late 1800s.
We began our “legendary way to start the day” by getting in line outside of the restaurant (there’s no waiting list). In typical Savannah fashion, I saw someone I knew! While you can choose to sit in the dining room or at the counter, I opted for the latter so that I could watch the diligent and creative staff make my breakfast to order.
Ocean-Inspired Creativity
After breakfast, we took a long stroll on the beach to feel the sand under our toes and listen to the sounds of the water. The ocean induced a sense of calm, which helped us more easily tap into our creativity.
The relaxed ocean shores of Tybee Island can quiet your prefrontal cortex and make room for more imagination. You’ll be able to see things from a new perspective, since proximity to water invites a deeper understanding of the meaning of life. You may find yourself with insights that you hadn’t previously recognized. And even if you’re not looking for “deep thoughts,” the beach is the perfect escape for anyone who can benefit from a healthy dose of sand, sun, and seaside bliss.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Maybe you’ve been creatively inspired by my field trip. Maybe you’re ready to plan your own. You’ve decided to visit E. Shaver’s or find some truffles at Chocolat, or you’re eager to feel the sand beneath your own toes. Or maybe Savannah just isn’t “your thing.”
But no matter whether you’re eager to travel or currently favoring home, I encourage you to find ways to break up your routine. Try a new coffee spot. Drive in a different direction and observe what sparks your interest. New experiences of any sort, even if they’re small, build new neural pathways in your brain, meaning your creativity will naturally spark.