How does buying original art and a pimento cheese sandwich live in the same website article? Easy. Both were done in Savannah, Georgia at places that benefit the students of one of the most creative art schools around.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is arguably one of the top art and design universities in the Country, offering programs in printmaking, urban design, jewelry and too many more categories to mention.
In my former life I fantasized about being an artist, even though I created less than mediocre stick figures in drawing class and painting by numbers was always a challenge. So, when I heard that SCAD had a gift store dedicated to selling the students artwork, I put it on my agenda. If I can’t produce my own art, at least I can buy someone elses and support hardworking students at the same time. Besides, buying original art is on my bucket list. And a Picasso is not in the budget.
The students and faculty showcase their work at shopSCAD, a trendy boutique-style shop. Don’t plan on getting an incredible deal, but do plan on getting something unique and one-of-a-kind.
The store has an array of impressive artwork, from belts to paintings to jewelry to greeting cards. And it doesn’t look like stuff your four year old could make. These people are talented. I know, so is your four year old.
After ogling the hundreds of available pieces in the shop, I fell in love with a unique lucky penny necklace. And it was a bargain at twenty-five dollars, considering much of the other jewelry was several hundred.
When my shopping was complete, I walked across the street to a tempting restaurant, the Gryphon Tea Room. It featured one of the most enticing menus I had seen in all of Savannah.
It wasn’t until after my order was placed that the server informed me that this gem was also run by the students of SCAD. When do they have time to attend classes?
Gryphon features modern Southern Cuisine and 90% of the staff are SCAD students. My server, Annagrace, was in her fourth year of photography.
I ordered the pimento cheese sandwich because the neighboring table said I absolutely could not leave the South without trying this Southern tradition. Who am I to argue? But, as a back up plan, I ordered the Georgia shrimp salad. Just in case a calorie infested, gooey cheese and mayo sandwich didn’t agree with me. Don’t judge.
Turns out this mayo-hater didn’t actually detest this cheesy goodness, even though it was slightly reminiscent of a vamped up Velveeta sandwich. Interesting. The taste buds were in a happy frenzy.
Even if I hadn’t liked the sandwich, the takzaki cucumbers and warm shrimp salad would have more than satisfied my hunger. And the free cookie that came with the bill was just a pleasant surprise.
Have you ever had a Pimento sandwich? Do you own a piece of original art?
