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Exciting new mixed-media exhibition will run from May 1, 2026 through Jan. 31, 2027, showcasing contemporary artists reinterpreting the historic voyages of Anne, S.S. Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer
Submitted by Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum
March 26, 2026 – Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is delighted to present “Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah,” an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. The exhibit will open on Fri., May 1, 2026 and run through Sun., Jan. 31, 2027, showcasing original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.
“We’re thrilled to present Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum’s first sequential art exhibition and hope ‘Drawn to the Sea’ will attract a multigenerational audience to explore the museum,” said Molly Carrott Taylor, Executive Director of Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. “This extremely creative exhibit uses cartoons to tell historic maritime stories that resonate with today’s audiences.”
Ships of the Sea Curator Tania June Sammons organized the “Drawn to the Sea” exhibit and invited each artist to select a ship model at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum to feature in his or her work, offering the opportunity to create historic as well as fictional narratives.
“Comics and graphic novels are extremely popular,” Sammons explained. “We wanted to use the comic book format to explore our four most important nineteenth-century Savannah ship models to connect with new audiences. We hope people learn something new about Savannah’s maritime history as well as the city’s historical relationship to the sea.”
Sammons also partnered with Lee Heidel, owner and managing partner of Neighborhood Comics in Savannah, to design and publish a special “Drawn to the Sea” comic book, which is available at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum Gift Shop.
“’Drawn to the Sea’ is the perfect opportunity for Neighborhood Comics to team up with one of Savannah’s most unique cultural and historical institutions, Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum,” Heidel explained. “The exhibit offers a unique opportunity to see the impressive skills that go into creating comic art and cross-referencing these exciting stylistic interpretations with the amazing models and historical artifacts at the museum. The comic book showcases diverse voices that bring together Savannah’s deep connections to both the open water and its history of artistic narrative.”
Featured “Drawn to the Sea” artists include:
- Lucy Bellwood, a professional adventure cartoonist based in Ojai, Calif., focuses on the Anne, the legendary vessel that carried James Edward Oglethorpe and the first group of English colonists to Georgia in 1733.
- Avery Hick, aSCAD graduate and Level Ground Comics Executive Editor, explores life aboard the SS Savannah, the first steamship to cross the Atlantic Ocean, marking a bold turning point in maritime history.
- Rich King—who has published five books about the ocean, including Ahab’s Rolling Sea: A Natural History of Moby-Dick, Ocean Bestiary and Sailing Alone—drew inspiration from the Pulaski, a luxury steamship that suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion off the coast of North Carolina in 1838, killing approximately 130 people. He is an accomplished author and illustrator who is based in Santa Cruz, Calif.
- Sharon Norwood, a Jamaican-born interdisciplinary artist who lives in Savannah, Ga., takes a deep dive into life aboard the Wanderer, one of the last ships to illegally transport enslaved Africans to the United States. In 1858, more than 50 years after the transatlantic slave trade had been outlawed, the vessel secretly carried more than 400 captive Africans across the Atlantic, landing near the coast of Georgia and sparking international outrage.
Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission at 4:30 p.m.). Tickets are $17.50 for adults; $14.50 for students, seniors 65+, active-duty military and veterans; and free for children ages 5 and under. Discounted family and group tickets are also available. Additional information is available at shipsofthesea.org.
RELATED EVENTS:
Friday, May 1 | 5 – 7:30 p.m.
“Drawn to the Sea” Opening Reception
Experience the new “Drawn to the Sea” exhibition at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum and meet talented sequential artists Avery Hick, Sharon Norwood and Lee Heidel. “Drawn to the Sea” comic books will be available for purchase and can be signed by the artists on-site. Enjoy music and light refreshments. Cocktails and drinks available for purchase. Limited tickets available at shipsofthesea.org
Free for Ships of the Sea members/$15 for nonmembers
Saturday, May 16 | 5 – 7 p.m.
A Zine Workshop with Comic Artist Avery Hick
On the eve of Comic Currents, a mini-one day comic con/family event, this special evening program will highlight Avery Hick, a featured “Drawn to the Sea” artist, in conversation with Ships of the Sea Curator Tania Sammons and a hands-on zine workshop. Hick will lead participants in a zine-making workshop inspired by the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum’s collection, along with special guest Lee Heidel, owner of Neighborhood Comics and “Drawn to the Sea” sponsor and comic book designer. Drinks and light snacks will be served. Limited tickets available at shipsofthesea.org
$10 members/$20 non-members
Sunday, May 17 | 1- 5 p.m.
Comic Currents Sequential Art Convention/Family Day
Celebrating all things community, capes and comic books, this one-day mini comic-con gives locals and visitors a chance to meet dozens of comic book creators from across the Southeast. Dress up, bring your friends and family and see first-hand how Savannah is a centerpoint in the sequential arts scene.
Free and open to the public
Sunday, September 27 | 3 p.m.
An Afternoon with Comic Artist Richard J. King
Join “Drawn to the Sea”artist Richard J. King at Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum for an special presentation about his comic featuring the catastrophic boiler explosion of the luxury steamship Pulaski in 1838. King will also discuss the five other works he has authored and illustrated about the ocean, his column on marine life for Sea History magazine and more. This program is presented in partnership with Georgia Southern University’s History Department and College of Arts and Humanities through funds from a Jack N. and Addie D. Averitt Foundation Grant.
Free and open to the public
Tuesday, November 17 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Private Art Studio Visit with “Drawn to the Sea” Artist Sharon Norwood
Join Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum’s Executive Director Molly Carrott Taylor and curator Tania June Sammons for a private visit to the art studio of Sharon Norwood, a featured “Drawn to the Sea” artist. This special evening event will give attendees the rare opportunity to go behind-the-scenes with a famed international artist. Drinks and light snacks will be served. Limited tickets available at shipsofthesea.org
Free for members (registration required)/$10 non-members.
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. Learn more: shipsofthesea.org or 912.232.1511
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