World Cafe Savannah: An Urban Bike/Pedicab Tour
EPIC introduces a series of Local Pursuits that provide an opportunity to collectively explore and draw inspiration from locally embedded experiences and to reflect upon the theme of Renewal in our community of practice. Savannah provides an especially rich array of opportunities to explore metaphors, principles, and dynamics surrounding Renewal while immersing in local experiences of past, present, and possible futures. We have arranged a diverse set of opportunities to venture forth into the Savannah community, to meet and talk with local people and visit local places.
Each Pursuit group will be asked to reflect upon some core concepts around their experience through the lens of Renewal and to share with the community photos, thoughts, insights in real-time via your mobile devices. We will aggregate all of your insights and share them back to the community during the conference.
You may sign up for one activity. Please note the cost, time, and meeting place for your choice.
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Bonaventure Cemetery: Renewing Memories of the Past
Located on a scenic bluff of the Wilmington River Bonaventure became famous when it was featured in the 1994 novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt and in the movie directed by Clint Eastwood. Once part of the Bonaventure Plantation originally owned by John Mullryne, the 600-acre property and private cemetery were sold to the City of Savannah in 1907 after changing hands several times, making the cemetery public and officially naming it Bonaventure Cemetery. The themes of tradition and renewal will be explored through the eccentric legacy of Savannah set in stone.
Local Partner Bonaventure Cemetery
Captain Tracy Steffgen
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost $10
Emergent Structures: Renewal through Creative Deconstruction
In this local pursuit Renewal is explored through the lens of deconstruction and reconstruction. Emergent Structures is a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing the land-filling of building and construction materials. It facilitates collaboration projects between architects, developers, engineers, contractors, property owners and municipal governments to replace shortsighted demolition practices with sustainable de-construction strategies. Facilitated by members of Emergent Structures, Southern Pine, and Dilated Spectrum, this pursuit features a tour of the ongoing and finished projects in Savannah. Participants will engage in discussions and see demonstrations of innovative ways to renew and reuse waste, while renewing the public perception of waste.
Local Partner Emergent Structures
Captain Meagan Hodge
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost free
Maritime Renewal and the Savannah Harbor: Past, Present and Possible Futures
Built in 1819 Scarbrough House, home to the Ships of the Sea Museum, is one of the earliest examples of the Greek Revival in the South. Today, after several restorations, Scarbrough House is the setting for an exceptional collection of ship models, paintings and maritime antiques. By exploring Savannah's history as a shipping hub this pursuit will give participants an insider's perspective of the city’s past, present, and possible future(s) as a major east coast port. The current controversy around the deepening of the Savannah River will be considered through a series of scenarios that envision possible futures for Savannah.
Local Partner Ships of the Sea
Captain Nick Schroeder
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost $8.00
Renewal of Community and the Politics of Art and Creativity
Like many communities around the world, Savannah is competing for creative talent. With the river of creative talent that flows through the City, retaining creatives should not be a challenge. However, a shortage of creative industry jobs compels many students to leave after graduation. Those indie creatives who choose to either stay in Savannah or to relocate here face many challenges. This pursuit explores the tensions between tradition and the emerging creative culture and highlights local creative entrepreneurs and their efforts to grow the Savannah's arts and culture economy.
Local Partner Desotorow
Captain Jeanne E. Svendson
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 9:00 am
Cost free
Renewal on Multiple Dimensions: The Design Ethos "Do-ference" and Water's Ave. Revitalization
The theme of Renewal is explored through multiple lenses: the infusion of design thinking into traditional community revitalization and the renewal of conferencing itself. After local government designated funds to revitalize Waters Avenue, numerous projects aimed at bottom-up transformation have been proposed. With Waters serving as the topic of ongoing ethnographic studies, the 2012 Design Ethos Do-ference, and an article in Fast Company, a myriad of actors are now leading the way in renewing this community. Through an onsite look at the Waters Avenue thoroughfare, participants will explore current revitalization efforts within the community in discussions with local community members.
Local Partner Design Ethos
Captain Scott Boylston
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost free
Slow Food Savannah: Tradition and Renewal
This pursuit is designed as a social experiment that seeks to move beyond the traditional round-table discussion and bring groups together in the community to engage in meaningful knowledge exchanges. The result? Savannah's first interdisciplinary food ethnography, in addition to a series of tangible action items and future event recommendations for Slow Food Savannah that will help establish the organization as a convening force that fosters community building and place-making, and creates opportunities for personal growth. This pursuit culminates with a communal picnic prepared by a local chef to highlight two of Slow Food USA's driving principles: pleasure and conviviality.
Local Partner Slow Food of Savannah
Captain Leslie Marticke and members of Savannah Slow Food
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 9:00 am
Cost free
The Economy and Workforce Renewal in Savannah
Savannah hosts seven major colleges and attracts students from around the globe. Meanwhile 38% of the local population between the ages of 18 and 65 does not hold a high school diploma. Looking ahead to the prospects for economic renewal, Savannah faces a major challenge in terms of providing employers with a skilled workforce and creating new economic opportunities for the 21st century. EPIC community members will interact with local industry and community leaders to explore obstacles, options and some innovative ways in which the Savannah is attempting to prepare community members for work readiness and to stimulate job growth. An option to ride in a pedicab (small fee required) is available to those who would prefer not to bike.
Local Partner Creative Coast
Captain Jake Hodesh/ Charisse Bennett
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost Free
The Waddie Welcome & The Beloved Community
This immersion allows participants to walk in the shoes of a not-so-average Savannah citizen, learning from the places and people who help make Savannah unique. Born on July 4th, 1914 in Savannah with a disability, Waddie was placed in a nursing home far from his community. Waddie Welcome is an unlikely public figure; however, his deep desire for freedom drew many friends in ways that not only liberated him from institutionalization, but also actualized Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community: friendships that transcended divisions of disability, race, and income and created powerful new possibilities in a whole community.
Local Partner Chatham-Savanah Citizen Advocacy
Captain Christy Batta
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost free
World Cafe Savannah: An Urban Bike/Pedicab Tour
This pursuit invites participants to explore Savannah by biking the city. Using the World Café approach this activity will immerse EPIC participants in a rich, contextual exploration of downtown Savannah, inviting them to join with community members in discussions about Savannah's past, present and future. Using bicycle as a sustainable mode of transportation, participants will experience Savannah through multiple stops and engage in dialogue with people from different communities within the city. In this pursuit, which is facilitated by members of the Volta Collaborative and the Savannah Bike Campaign, participants will be involved in envisioning the capacity for community renewal.
Local Partner Volta Collaborative, Bicycle Campaign.
Captain R Campbell & Volta Collab
Meeting location AVIA Hotel
Number of attendees 12
Start time 8:45 am
Cost free
Savannah resources |
EPIC resources |
EPIC elsewhere |
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Savannah / Hilton Head International Airport
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