Sunday Supper is back and their new space, The Collage, is hoping to change the game in Savannah

When I stepped into The Collage, weeks before its “official” opening, there was a lot going on.

The new collaborative creative hub at 48 Posey St. in midtown Savannah, featuring an art and tattoo studio, custom graphics and t-shirt shop, recording studio, event space, and multimedia production area, was still coming together. One of the founders, painter and tattoo artist Zay Hutchins, had just finished building a new indoor storage shed as I’d walked through the door, and was covered in sweat and dust from the endeavor.

Elsewhere, unpainted spackle jobs and empty cardboard moving boxes were pervasive, as were extension cords and electric fans, their oscillations echoing through the space.

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Mere weeks later, The Collage would end up hosting the highly anticipated return of Sunday Supper, a monthly art and music event hosted by Hutchins, his business partner Phillip Davis and the third member of their “trifecta,” the DJ known as Carlitobaby (who doesn’t have an investment in the space, but who is a frequent collaborator). It would end up being the most successful iteration of the showcase yet, filling both the parking lot outside and the event area within.

But on that day, before Sunday Supper “damn near shut the block down,” as Hutchins described it on social media, I met with him and Davis amidst the debris of a work still in progress. “It definitely wasn’t move-in ready,” Hutchins joked. “You should have seen it when we first stepped in.

“Literally all these walls you see out here, they were non-existent. We had to put a lot of money, blood, sweat, and tears…into just building everything up. And we are still building.”

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As noted above, the large warehouse space is divided into several different areas that both connect and have the feeling of being entirely their own thing. Hutchins, for example, designed his portion of the hub as “a personal, artistic man cave,” he said. His studio feels vibrant and alive, like you’re being invited to the meeting point of Zay’s personal and professional lives as a friend or colleague.

He’s also created a special mural to entice fans of his work to come visit him. “[It’s a place] where people can just come in and relax and view art or get a tattoo,” he added.

In contrast, the part of The Collage designed by Davis and his Four Hundred Studios/Elite Music Group cohorts, exudes chill. It’s soundproofed, ringed by hip-looking but comfortable furniture and impeccably clean.

Recording technology abounds, and a carved wooden Elite Music Group logo (created by Hutchins, no less) hangs over the studio, a design touch that’s sure to make anyone laying down tracks feel as though they’ve made it to the big time.

Even me, a 44-year-old dad, felt just a little bit cooler by simply being in the room with Davis, who also goes by his musical handle Phil Beach, as he gave me the rundown of all they have to offer.

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“We wanted to bring the best quality,” he explained of the attention to detail that he and the other three owners of Four Hundred Studios put into the space. “The Mac with the pro tools software. The speakers. Making sure we had the right panels. Every decision was very meticulous and very well thought out to make this come together.”

On top of Hutchins’ and Davis’ contributions, The Collage is home to Will Montague’s 3 Dot Tees. Like with the artist and the musician, the graphic designer has put his own stamp on the space. 3 Dot Tees actually occupies two areas: A retail storefront; and a shop where Montague produces everything that he sells. The store is well-organized and typical of what you’d expect from an apparel business, while the production area is an eye-catching mix of machines, unused stock, and in-progress projects.

It’s an incredible achievement for all involved, and a welcome addition to the local art and music landscape. Moreover, it’s a place where locals should not only feel welcome, but empowered to join forces with a group of rising creatives who hope to bring the community along for the ride.

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“This space will be for those who come behind us and have the tools they need to build their brand, create their art,” said Davis. “Whatever they’re doing, they should be able to come to The Collage [and] walk out five levels up.

“The last seven months have been like, build the ship. Now it’s time to sail.”

Connect with Zay Hutchins on Instagram @artbyzayworld and at abzstudio.com. Four Hundred Studios is on Facebook at facebook.com/fourhundredstudios/, while 3 Dot Tees can be found on the web at 3dottees.com/.

Phil Beach’s music can be found on Spotify, his website itsphilbeach.com, and @itsphilbeach on Instagram.

Art off the Air is a companion piece to the radio program “Art on the Air” hosted by Rob Hessler and Gretchen Hilmers. The column can also be found at savannahnow.com/entertainment.

The show airs Wednesdays from 3-4pm on WRUU 107.5 FM Savannah and at WRUU.org.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah GA music: The Collage recording space, Sunday Supper event