22ft x 122ft
Savannah, Georgia
2022
Approximately 17,000 years ago, near the end of the Ice Age, hunters made their way across the Bering Strait into the Americas. While many traveling groups of Paleolithic Indians continued their exploration into central and southern parts of the continent, others expanded east migrating with the animals that they hunted for food. Changes in their survival methods and successful advancements in tools during the Clovis period eventually led to the disappearance of megafauna. Settlements began to flourish with the start of the Archaic period, 8,000 to 2,000 BCE.
Dated to 3,545 BCE, Savannah site 'Bilbo Mound' once located near present-day downtown along the Savannah River is an example of non-nomadic architecture and civil engineering. During this time Archaic Indians began the process of domestication of plants such as squash, maize, and beans. Making the river an essential resource necessary for life. Later cultures, such as the Mississippians, would strategically keep using the river for agriculture, fishing, water supply, systems of transportation, and trade.
Many historians believe the name "Savannah" was borrowed from the Taino word Zavana. Meaning open plain or grassy plain.
SAVANNAH RIVER
The Savannah River swiftly flows down the southeastern side of the Appalachian Mountains making its way into gentle slopes. It starts to meander across forestry regions merging into the Atlantic Ocean. My concept design portrays raindrops creating ripples in the river. Ripples that also morph into different-sized oak tree rings. Forming many connections of life in general. During the sketch process, I envisioned children, even adults, having fun, through the painted walkway, jumping from ripple to ripple. Imagining that they themselves create ripples as they land on each point.
This mural is one-fifth of the longest pedestrian walkway mural painted in Georgia. Water Works Park is located in Savannah’s Carver Village Historic District.
This project was made possible by W Projects, the City of Savannah, and the Carver Village Neighborhood Task Force. Thank you.
