April 10, 2026
Hello, and happy Friday! I’m Justin Taylor, visual journalist at The Current. Thank you for checking out another installment of Coastal Lens!
This month, we take a look at the Cherokee of Georgia Spring Powwow, some scenes from a recent trip to Sapelo Island and a box turtle rescue on Tybee.
I’ll also share some visually interesting community events across Coastal Georgia, including art festivals in St. Simons and Savannah, as well as local photo walks and exhibitions.
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Visual stories from the coast
Our latest visual reporting, photo essays, and galleries take you directly into our coastal communities.
Last week, Caitlin Philippo and I teamed again to travel all the way down to St. George for the annual Cherokee of Georgia Spring Powwow, a vibrant three-day celebration of indigenous culture featuring traditional dance, music, and art. The event highlights the tribe’s deep respect for veterans and its enduring connection to ancestral traditions.
The Cherokee of Georgia are descended from Native Americans who were forced to leave their ancestral homeland, which included parts of northern Georgia. Those who managed to avoid relocation settled in South Georgia and parts of Florida.
Favorite Photos
A look back at a few of my favorite frames from the past several weeks. Some moments make it into print. Others stick with me, and I want to share them.
Viewfinder
Each month, I take hundreds of photos for The Current. Only a small fraction makes it into published stories. Sometimes it comes down to space. Other times, a photo simply does not fit the story as well as other visuals do.
Viewfinder is where those moments live.
Mary Landers, Sarah Harwell, and I joined a group of early morning volunteers searching the future site of Solomon Park on Tybee Island for Eastern box turtles. Alongside experts from the Turtle Survival Alliance and Oatland Island Wildlife Center, we fanned out across the seven-acre maritime forest to rescue these camouflaged residents before heavy machinery arrived to begin environmental remediation.
Here are a few more photos from the 202nd Savannah St. Patrick’s Day parade a few weeks ago.
Community focus
Here are a few other events that celebrate the visually creative.
When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m, April 11 and 12
Where: 106 Island Drive, St. Simons Island
Details: A vibrant celebration of creativity hosted by Glynn Visual Arts. This juried event features a curated selection of over 60 regional artists and artisans showcasing handmade works ranging from photography and sculpture to intricate jewelry and glass.
When: April 17 and 18
Where: Savannah Historic District
Details: Step behind the gates of the city’s most stunning private and historic green spaces. Headquartered at the historic Harper-Fowlkes House, this tour focuses on lush landscapes tucked away north of Gaston Street. Guests can immerse themselves in the coastal springtime blooms and even join a garden party reception.
Savannah Photo Club Photo Walk
When: 9 a.m., April 19
Where: Franklins Coffee, 5 W. Liberty St., Savannah
Details: A fun monthly photo walk for all ages and skill levels. It’s a great way to make new friends and work on your photo skills. And it’s free!
When: 6 p.m.-9 p.m., April 25
Where: Outfitters Amenity Center, 35 Outfitters Park Drive, Richmond Hill
Details: Visual art and floral design collide, featuring juried local works interpreted through fresh, organic installations.
When: April 25
Where: Forsyth Park, Savannah
Details: The 45th annual SCAD Sidewalk Arts Festival returns to transform the walkways of Forsyth Park into a vibrant, open-air gallery of ephemeral masterpieces.
Off the Coast of Paradise: Artists and Ossabaw Island
Where: Jepson Center for the Arts, 207 W York St., Savannah
When: March 13 – Sept. 6.
Details: The first major exhibition to explore how Ossabaw Island’s 26,000 undeveloped acres influenced American artists. Focusing on the Ossabaw Island Project and Genesis residencies from 1961 to 1982, it highlights the island’s legacy as a space for creative experimentation.
If you’ve scrolled this far, thanks for sticking with me, and I’ll see you next month!
We want to see what you see
Is something happening in your neighborhood that we should know about? A story unfolding. A tradition worth preserving. A moment that deserves a wider audience.
Click here to send us a note
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