SAVANNAH, Ga. – Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah, Ga. dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is honored to present “Celestial Seafarers,” an exciting, multi-media outdoor experience featuring nautical-inspired light and sound installations by 11 visionary local artists on Thurs., Nov. 5 and Fri., Nov. 6 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The two-night-only exhibition will take place after dark in the museum and the inspiring gardens at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, located at 41 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd in Savannah, Ga.
Designed to offer moments of enchantment, wonder and discovery, “Celestial Seafarers” will be awash in waves of light and sound, presenting multiple site-specific, experimental art installations. Attendees are invited to experience two luminous evenings where art, exploration and maritime imagination converge beneath the stars.
The theme for the third annual “Celestial Seafarers” event is “Voyage of the Seven Seas.” For millennia, the Seven Seas have inspired myths, legends and literature across civilizations around the globe, symbolizing the spirit of adventure and the quest for exploration. Drawing inspiration from epic maritime voyages, “Celestial Seafarers” will celebrate the mystery and adventure of life at sea through a contemporary lens.
“The Ships of the Sea garden is magical after dark,” said Molly Carrott Taylor, Executive Director of Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. “Guests will enjoy a completely different vibe at night.”
Inspired by the spirit of discovery that guided sailors across the world’s oceans, “Celestial Seafarers” invites guests to journey through immersive installations of light and sound, conceived by some of Savannah’s most talented artists. This event will transform the historic Scarbrough House and the largest private garden in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District into a living canvas of radiant installations, ambient soundscapes and captivating performances for two exciting evenings.
Drinks will be available for purchase. All proceeds from “Celestial Seafarers” will benefit Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum programming.
“This year, we’ll have more light and sound than ever before,” Taylor added. “We are so excited to welcome local residents and visitors to join us for ‘Celestial Seafarers’ on November 5th and 6th and to enjoy an immersive art and maritime experience specially created by talented local artists.”
“Celestial Seafarers” artists for 2026 include:
Joshua Alexander – Joshua Alexander creates fixed, mixed and multi-media works concerned with the tactile, metaphorical and poetic layers of energies often overlooked amidst our sheer volume of daily obligations. His aim is to highlight these perceptions and their myriad interpretations, exploring a range of energy states, including abundance, scarcity, flow and stagnation.
Shae Benezra – A sound designer and musician from Brooklyn, N.Y., Shae Benezra creates original work for films that have been featured at the Cannes Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival. Prior to focusing on sound full-time, Benezra worked as a studio assistant to MacArthur Fellow Josiah McElheny in New York. He is also a drummer and songwriter in the Savannah-based band Basically Nancy.
Greg Finger – Greg Finger is a digital artist specializing in interactive multimedia installations, who has exhibited interactive works and public art installations in the United States and China.
Marcus Kenney – Originally from Louisiana, Marcus Kenney has exhibited his multi-media work in museums, institutions, galleries and art fairs internationally, including Tel Aviv, Paris, London, Montréal, New York, Boston, Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Miami and Portland. His work has been featured and reviewed in Art in America, New American Painting, Artpapers, New York Times, Boston Globe, ArtVoices, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, New York Art Magazine and Art News.
Kevin Kirkwood – Kevin Kirkwood creates small-scale conceptual installations as well as acrylic paintings. He has shown his work across the United States, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; The Museum of Contemporary Art in Atlanta; The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art in San Luis Obispo, Calif.; and the Lowe Art Museum in Miami, Fla.
Abigail Portner – Abigail Portner is a production designer, illustrator and filmmaker who is best known for her collaborations and whimsical set designs for Animal Collective. Her love of theater, music and children’s shows led to an interest in making large-scale sculptures and set designs. She also directs music videos, draws illustrations and creates video content for bands including Lucius and Andrew Bird.
Kristopher Maedke-Russell – Kristopher Maedke-Russell is a performance and installation artist who focuses on hand-made, practical effects and video hardware, using techniques derived from the American light show scene that emerged in the 1960’s. His compositions employ kinetic elements and additive color mixing to expand the boundaries of household materials and obsolete technology.
Allen Peterson – Based in Atlanta, artist Atlanta Peterson makes metal sculpture for outdoor installation as well as drawings and collages on paper for indoor exhibition. He makes art that repeats forms, shapes and ideas in an attempt to map the mental landscape. He has exhibited his work throughout the U.S. and abroad and teaches public art in the Master Craftsman Program at Kennesaw State University.
Todd Schroeder – A professor of painting at The Savannah College of Art and Design, Todd Schroeder focuses on painting, drawing and object-making, often working with print media. He has shown his work internationally and has been featured in numerous group exhibitions. His work has been reviewed in The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Time Out/New York and ArtPulse.
Matt Toole – Matt Toole is a sculptor and metalworker whose practice centers on cast iron, performance and large-scale public works. He has spent decades exploring the sculptural and performative possibilities of fire and molten metal, creating innovative work drawing on both traditional foundry processes as well as contemporary environmental influences.
Matt Van Rys – An art educator who teaches digital communications at SCAD Savannah, Matt Van Rhs is the Co-Founder and Motion Designer at Pläd. He excels at projection mapping, experiential installation and interactive projection art and is an experienced commercial designer.
General admission tickets (ages 18+) are currently available for $22. Student tickets are $15 per person on Student Night on Thursday, Nov. 5 with a valid student ID. Tickets for children ages 17 and under are $10. Ships of the Sea members at the Yacht Level and higher receive two complimentary “Celestial Seafarers” tickets with their membership.For tickets and additional information, please visit shipsofthesea.org/celestial-seafarers.
ABOUT SHIPS OF THE SEA MARITIME MUSEUM:
Founded in 1966, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is dedicated to celebrating and preserving Savannah, Ga’s maritime legacy. The museum is housed within the William Scarbrough House, a stately Greek-Revival residence designed in 1819 by acclaimed architect William Jay for William Scarbrough, the first president of the Savannah Steamship Company. The museum features nine galleries showcasing ship models, paintings, and maritime antiques, and has the largest private garden in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District. Today, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum serves as a testament to Savannah’s rich maritime legacy as well as its bright future. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.)
Learn more: shipsofthesea.org or 912.232.1511
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