After years of pretending the ugly old Candler Hospital complex doesn’t even exist, we can finally open our eyes and enjoy the view.
The property, which looked worse with each passing year despite the majesty of the 300-year-old Candler Oak, takes up most of the block bounded by Drayton Street, Gaston Lane, Abercorn Street and Huntingdon Street.
Of course, Huntingdon has been blocked for many years by one of the ugliest buildings in town.
But, thanks to the new Savannah Law School, all that is changing.
From 2-4 p.m. Friday, the public is invited to see the new law school during a reception for a landscape painting exhibition by emerging artists studying under SCAD professor Roger Walton. Walton himself might be the best painter in town that most local collectors haven’t heard of.
“This will hopefully be the first event in what I hope will blossom into a strong and varied relationship between SLS and the artistic community,” said Andrew Wright, an associate professor at the law school.
I toured the complex last week with Wright and with Denise Bowman Carson, who coordinated the exhibit.
There are a couple of dozen paintings of Forsyth Park hanging throughout the four floors of the northern portion of the complex, which has been renovated into classrooms, offices and a temporary library.
I was frankly surprised by the extent of the work already completed. Wright noted the 45 students in the school’s first class can be accommodated by the classrooms on just one floor, but classrooms are ready to go on the upper floors as well.
The interior has been designed in a way that maximizes the light in the hallways, and there are many more walls in the building that could be covered with art.
Of course, work is just beginning on the real gem of the property — the old building facing Huntingdon Street.
In recent weeks, the law school has torn down the structure that blocked the view from Huntingdon to Drayton streets.
As thrilling as it is to see that historic connection re-established, it’s even more exciting to see the gorgeous symmetry of the oldest part of the hospital. That 19th century structure will eventually hold the Savannah Law School library and administrative offices.
For now, the main entrance is off Drayton Street, near the Candler Oak. Please note that parking is restricted, so if you’re driving to Friday’s reception, you’ll need to find a spot on one of the nearby blocks.
City Talk appears every Sunday and Tuesday. Bill Dawers can be reached via billdawers@comcast.net and http://www.billdawers.com. Send mail to 10 E. 32nd St., Savannah, GA 31401.