ARTS Southeast is bringing accessible creativity to the streets with Art on Bull block party

One consistent complaint heard about Savannah is the small art scene.

Of course, there are plenty of artists in City Market and on River Street, but their artwork tends to be geared toward tourists. It isn’t as if there aren’t plenty of artists in Savannah creating outstanding and out-of-the-box work. It’s just that there isn’t usually as big of a spotlight on them.

Sulfur Studios has been working hard to change that by offering affordable studio space, exhibitions, educational programs, and artist residencies funded by ARTS Southeast. The mission continues with the second annual Art on Bull block party and exhibition on Friday.

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Emily Earl, Board Vice President & Executive Director of Sulfur Studios, said, “We learned a lot through our first [Art on Bull] fundraiser. This one is going to be bigger and better.”

There will be a live puppet show from Saw the Wheel, blues music from Alia Torres, and drag performances from House of Gunt. Not one to shy away from pushing the artistic envelope, Sulfur Studios also asked Kris Russell of Light Music Visuals and DJ Don Saffron to collaborate on a combination of music and projections.

Russell said, “I’m mostly going to be improvising using organic and video gear.”

Russell’s background is in printing and digital work, but for this art performance he said he’s pulling inspiration from what’s going on outside of his brain instead of inside it.

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“I started with projections doing liquid experiments; everything from 60s psychedelic light shows in the UK, San Francisco, and New York to newer, more chemistry-based techniques. It’s kind of all over the place.”

Those aren’t the only things going on that night. There will be plenty to see inside the studio as well. “In the main gallery, we also have a huge show called ‘Look.’ That is our survey of Savannah arts,” said Jon Witzky, Exhibitions Director for Sulfur Studios. “It’s an amazing group of Savannah artists. I’m super proud to be able to host it.”

Those artists include names covered by Do Savannah before like Maxx Feist, Tafy LaPlanche, Tobia Makover, and Phil Musen as well as quite a few others. Much of their work is also available for purchase.

While Art on Bull is a fundraising effort, much of it is still free. “There are tickets for food and bundled for things like a special t-shirt or magazine, but to come to the event, it’s totally free,” said Earl.

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Witzky explained that making art accessible is what ARTS Southeast does. “That’s a huge part of our mission: to give an art experience to anyone and everybody.” Fundraisers like Art on Bull ensure that that continues to happen. “Everything should be free and open.”

Art on Bull is also the release party for a biannual arts magazine called “IMPACT” dedicated to elevating Savannah artists and the art scene. “The first issue is a little over 100 pages,” said Earl.

“I think we have an absolutely amazing art scene in Savannah, and I think it’s really important, especially for people who maybe aren’t artists to really pay attention and think about what kind of amazing things artists bring to a community,” said Witzky. “Our community is really eccentric and fun, and it’s because of that.”

Earl added that ARTS Southeast has been getting support from the community in the form of their host committee that’s open to anyone to join. “Our host committee members are doing what Jon [Witzky] is talking about and really supporting the arts in Savannah.” Those include Victory Plumbing, Vantosh Realty Group, and Starlandia Art Supply.

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The second annual Art on Bull block party and exhibition descends on 39th Street between Bull Street and Desoto Avenue on Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. For more information, go to SulfurStudios.org.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah GA events: Art on Bull fundraiser for ARTS Southeast