ARTISAN SPOTLIGHT
Kennedy Pharmacy to host arts workshops with Savannah makers and creatives
Built in 1890 for Harbormaster Robert Kennedy, the iconic brick and wood Kennedy Pharmacy on the corner of Broughton and Habersham streets has served in multiple capacities since its original construction. In the early 20th century, it was a Chinese-owned laundry. In recent years, the upstairs served as apartments. In April 2022, the Historic Savanah Foundation reopened the building as the Davenport House Museum’s Shop and Murray C. Perlman & Wayne C. Spear Preservation Center. • Now, HSF envisions the 134-year-old apothecary as a place for interactive community experiences. The newly launched Artisan Spotlight Series highlights local artists and makers as they facilitate monthly workshops pertaining to their respective crafts for residents and visitors.
On Saturday, May 11, the culinary innovators behind The Southern Conserve join the spotlight in presenting a “Mother’s Day Cooking Demo & Tasting.” This hands-on workshop runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and details how to make savory tea sandwiches as well as sweet treats, all with a glass of complimentary wine. Tickets are $25 per person, or $40 for a pair.
For Danielle Hodes, executive director of the Davenport House, it was crucial to focus on local involvement in re-envisioning the space.
“The Kennedy Pharmacy is an important building within the HSF campus that, moving forward, needs to have its own mission,” said Hodes. “We want it to be a place committed to and ingrained with the Savannah community in ways that support our contemporary mission of supporting local artists and creatives.”
Upcoming workshops include flower arranging, candle making and life sketching. Also in the works is a largerscale fall art festival to feature all Savannah-area creators. Most artisan spotlights are capped at 20 people with keen attention on affordability.
“Accessibility is something we really focused on,” reflected Hodes. “Some demos will be slightly more to accommodate the cost of required materials, but our goal is to keep a reasonable price point that is manageable. We want to engage and welcome local people with these kinds of programs to build up our community relationships.”
For the Mother’s Day spotlight, Savannah residents Chef Theodore Paskevich and Donald Holland, creative culinary duo heading up The Southern Conserve, bring some of their signature products in making tea sandwiches and an array of distinctive appetizers. Their most widely known creation, Tomato Conserve, figures prominently in the workshop.
“Things come into my head, and I just make them,” said Paskevich, explaining, in part, how the condiment came to be. “I can figure out flavors, layer them, and combine textures to create depth and subtlety.”
A few years ago, Paskevich was at work in his cafe, Joe’s Homemade, formerly within the Jepson Museum, and noticed he was discarding increasing amounts of tomato ends. But he was certain he could use them to make something tasty. Paskevich cooked down the remaining bits with a variety of herbs and spices creating a savory, versatile spread suitable for pasta, fish, chicken, beef and more.
The success of Tomato Conserve prompted the duo to make, bottle and market more products. Three years later, The Southern Conserve has products available at boutiques in Savannah, Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.
“This opportunity will be a hands-on, shared experience perfect for mothers and daughters,” considered Paskevich. “In addition to savory tea sandwiches, we’ll serve blueberry-lemon scones and pastry cups with lemon curd and summer berries. This isn’t a formal tea event, but everyone can get practice preparing a tea or appetizers for other uses.”
The Artisan Spotlight Series at Kennedy Pharmacy offers opportunities for locals to gather and learn from one another. Though the next few months are scheduled, Hodes looks forward to hearing from more doers, makers, and shakers in the Hostess City and getting them into the event.
“We really envision this as more arts and culture exchange within the community,” emphasized Hodes. “Artisan spotlights are a way to celebrate locals and foster an exchange of ideas. That exchange is something I look forward to, and I’m interested in meeting more artists interested in being in the spotlight.”