My mother gave me a book about Savannah squares when we moved here in 2017. She has always said “look at your map” as I learned to drive growing up in Tennessee and traveled to Georgia. Reading about the Savannah Squares is one thing, but living here with the ability to visit the squares, collect colors and paint my observations has certainly been another. The Savannah Squares are drenched in green, my favorite color, so I easily embraced a classmates suggestion to paint a Savannah Square map in addition to a painting for each square. Research revealed kind acts from the past and in the present. Kind acts are symbolized through pattern and color. I knew the Savannah history would be a challenge yet found individuals that contributed to Savannah in being a better place for today.
The reference for this painting was an old map Savannah. I enjoyed painting on black background as I did in Washington Square. Also recalled my high school art teacher meticulously painting shrubs. Laying out the squares, suddenly became like the Crown Jewels. There is tiny imagery in a few squares like Tomochichi’s grave and Telfair Academy.
Franklin Square pattern is inspired by the feather motif on the Haitian soldiers’ hat. I carved a linoleum stamp to print on canvas in a radial pattern symbolizing each soldier on the battleground. Using the complimentary colors of green and red with the acknowledgment of service to secure Savannah land.
General Samuel Elbert persevered after war wounds and was known for his kindness in all circumstances. The Hotel Samuel Elbert in Elberton, Ga is named for him. Savannah’s Elbert Square is a manicured median near the civic center. Seeing the hydrangeas thrive in an overlooked spot and being a great floral motif for design, I selected Elbert Square to be the repeat pattern in refreshing pink and green for interior decor.
Ellis Square, near City Market, now a plaza for all to be together under the hot Savannah sun. A pattern of people in groups of three and five, free to be together between or on either side of a public space line. United in colorful bathing suits I still desire to keep adding bits of paint to this one because of the joy.
The prosperous and kind plan for community gardening by Oglethorpe was the area of Washington Square named for George Washington. A pattern of plantings reflect the current landscape. This painting is especially important to my practice in the shift of my color palette by starting dark and moving to light. I owe this shift to my SCAD professors with much gratitude.
Pulaski Square is a grand square of peace. You could have the entire square to yourself for a good stretch of the morning. The green and warmth of the sun streaming through will take you anywhere. A pattern of green boxwoods lead to streaks of pink, yellow and blue. This palette brings me back to a wallpaper that brought peace.
Whitefield Square is right near a senior citizen residence, so there are often afternoon conversations in the gazebo and newlyweds are often spotted here. I chose to focus on the architectural patterns of the gazebo supported by spring growth and leave space inside for the viewer to be here.
Oglethorpe’s first square in his plan to develop for Savannah. Marion’s flute playing carried to the tree canopy on my first visit to Johnson Square. Marion said his routine pattern of playing music goes back and forth from Johnson to Reynolds. His gift to the people resonated with me along with the colorful energy in the activity of Johnson Square. You can see Oglethorpe’s plan paid off to anchor community with civic, religious buildings along with space for gardening. I chose the perspective of a songbird in the tree canopy observing Marion.
Orleans Square painting is inspired by the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 and the gorgeous fountain in the center of Orleans Square dedicated to the German immigrants. Eighteen American blue frogs circulate the fifteen red Brittish frogs united in a radial pattern. Orleans Square is lush with greenery with several peaceful spots to sit around the fountain. Greenery is layered with green hues to reflect the dappled sunlight.
A monument to John Wesley, developer of the Methodist Church centers this pattern of overarchingw limbs at summer sunset. Reynolds Square has great places to break from the heat at the Olde Pink House and Lucas Theatre.
Taylor Square was named a year after I took a photograph of a pianist performing and not named while painting. The palette and symbolism Kerry James Marshall uses in his work inspired me to use river currents to suggest change, I painted a river current flowing under the community. I listened to “Stand Up” the theme song from “Harriet” film featured at SCAD film festival repeatedly and entirely while painting Taylor Square.
Wright Square is the site of a granite stone for Tomochichi who negotiated a treaty that gave Oglethorpe the land that became Savannah. The reflection of Tomomchichi being in the corner of the square initiated the idea to have him fading in the background with the feather leaf like pattern repeating over him as footsteps walking through the square.
Liberty Square is currently a manicured median in front of the Court House off Montgomery Street. The modern building with rectangular windows peeping between the four tall palms reminded me of Miami, so I focused on the clean simple color and pattern.
The design for Telfair Square is inspired by Mary Telfair, heir to the family collection donated its entirety to the Georgia Historical Society. Mary Telfair’s kind contribution became the first public art museum in the South. My walk produced a collection of colors found applied to an architectural floral motif in a repeat pattern that gives a nod to women paving the path in the industry of art.
In 1865 the Mayor of Savannah presented a unanimous preamble of resolutions. One of the noted resolutions was for Savannah to receive provisions from Boston. General Warren, did not have a direct connection to Savannah, so I picked up in the pattern of kindness from historical research and connection of the east coast towns. The prosperity of the people reuniting in the Christian spirit of recovery and hope is symbolized in the current of oysters and great fortune we have with each other in each pearl.
Troup Square is charming with an armillary sculpture at the center and shady spots to sit. I put Myers Drinking Fountain at the center with the Unitarian Universalist Church in view to recognize the pattern of balance of inclusion that brings value to the people within the Savannah community. Our pups Mardi and Tux were more than happy to pose for Troup Square!
Chippewa Square has an energetic vibe with multiple points of interest and location along Bull Street. The charge of energy softens in the evening and on Christmas Eve. We attend the open-to-all invitation of the First Baptist Christmas Eve Service to sing with congregation on the front steps for the community. Oglethorpe’s plan continues to play a part in the lives of the present.
Crawford Square on the east side offers a basketball ball court and a gazebo. There is a stretch of colorful homes noted in the color panels on left. This square was once segregated but now inclusive to all to gather or shoot hoops. Art educator and basketball superstar Patrick Ewing’s book In the Paint was in my mind for inspiration and connection to Washington DC. I think a lot about the similarities of Savannah & DC.
Nathaniel Green is from Rhode Island and was a huge aide to George Washington. The dedicated monument to Green is at the center of Johnson Square. Green Square was once the heart of the African American community. The present stained glass windows of the Second African Baptist Church inspired my palette for Greene Square.
In Chatham Square there is a sundial dedicated to Louis Burke Toomer, African-American leader, bank founder, and realtor, was born in Savannah in 1897. The sundial quote that inspired this composition of intertwined symmetrical trees, “Grow old along with me the best is yet to be.”
The Davenport House sits on the northeast corner that was saved by the Seven Sisters of Savannah. These pioneering women saved much of Savannah. Their acts inspired my work to stay true to the patterns of Columbia Square in the brick, lush greenery, fountain and pattern of tour bus rounding the corner.
Madison Square is bathed in beauty, history and architecture. Patterns of foundation layout the textures, landscaping and the ends of two canons collected from a walk. Domestic disturbance caused the lives of Molly and Matilda Sorrel to be short so their cameos in the canons appear among other symbolism of life and color as camouflage.
Lafayette Square is a beautiful square with great points of interest in each direction. Our first St. Patrick’s Day parade was spent in this square. Sunset color settling upon Lafayette named for Marquis de Lafayette, a spirited general of George Washington.
Monterey Square is on the line of crown jewels along Bull with Johnson Square, Wright, Chippewa, Madison and then Monterey. Each of these squares offer much in beauty and history. My decision was to focus on Congregation Mickve Israel that stands on the east side and faces Monterey. The glorious repetition of pointed arches and pinnacles to support a path to Higher Ground in gothic style spoke to me in the plan for all to be in the past and present. The warmth and smooth surface of the yellowed stone edged in white against the color of the blue violet night is supported by pink and green palms lit by the moon. May peace be soon.
Oglethorpe Square is a beautiful square in its spacious simplicity. The overarching mindset kept in my mind has been Oglethorpe’s intentions. Oglethorpe thoughtful grid pattern was for the greater good for the people in his plan. The plan can be experienced today in the Savannah Squares, through the architecture and landscape.
The presence of Oglethorpe is felt in each square and especially his own. Oglethorpe’s Square, the last square I painted, took some time to envision a composition that captured the essence of Oglethorpe. Before his arrival he had just lost a friend imprisoned for debt and suffered by death from poor conditions. I chose an enlightened palette for a composition of him with the city of Savannah. My last course at SCAD, a teaching internship in Color: Theory and Application was an excellent course to reset my process and relationship with color. And wouldn’t you know Pantone’s color for 2024 is Peach Fuzz. Oglethorpe stands just above his Savannah Georgia skyline at sunset.
Paige P. Byrne 