Art of Darkness: Inspired by the Paranormal Exhibition

Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in housed in the Banfill Tavern, a Greek Revival building built in 1847 along the banks of the Mississippi River just north of Minneapolis; rumors and evidence of paranormal activity are prevalent in this historic site. To explore and celebrate this unique lore of the art center location BLCA is proud to present The Art of Darkness: Inspired by the Paranormal in the Banfill galleries August 30 to September 27, 2014.

An open call for paranormal inspired art was distributed this spring and entries were received from all over the world in a variety of mediums. Noted Paranormal Radio Personalities Dave Schrader and Tim Dennis of Darkness Radio (1130 am and available online) and BLCA jurors selected, from the entries, just over 100 paranormal inspired works of art by artists from 15 states, Canada, and England.

The exhibition will showcase photographs, paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed-media works, and more. The opening reception is Saturday, September 6 from 6 to 9 pm. The public is invited to attend this free event to meet the artists, talk with the Darkness Radio hosts, and enjoy the variety of work on the paranormal theme. Most of the works of art in the exhibition are offered for sale.

Affiliated Programming

On Monday, September 8 at 7 pm, BLCA hosts a discussion on the history of the Banfill Tavern and an opportunity to see the paranormal evidence that has been collected at the location by the Twin Cities Paranormal Research & Investigation team. This is a free event, but RSVPs are welcome to help plan. Visit the BLCA website for more information.

Sunday, September 14 from 10 am to 4 pm the galleries will be open as part of the 16th annual Art at Rice Creek Festival. A scavenger hunt through the galleries will encourage visitors of all ages to spend time looking at the details in the many works of art in the galleries. Ghostly prizes will be given upon completion of the scavenger hunt. This activity is just one of many activities at the festival.

Friday, September 19 Twin Cities Paranormal Research & Investigation invites you to participate in a nighttime investigation at the Banfill Tavern. Limited to just 10 people, tickets for the investigation are $50 each. More information and online registration available at www.banfill-locke.org.

Artists participating in the exhibition include:
Mario Alba (Dalton, GA), Dillon Allen (Bloomington, MN), Carla Anderson (Robbinsdale, MN), Deanna Barr (Ramsey, MN), Mary Begley (Buffalo, NY), Linda L. Brobeck (Waverly, MN), Robin Danielle Cagey (Brooklyn, NY), Sylvia Carsen (Fridley, MN), Paulina Cassidy (Chattanooga, TN), Art Coeo (Minneapolis, MN), Ali Cotton (Fountain Valley, MN), Sabrina Crowley (Littleton, OH), Pauline Carrasco (San Diego, CA), Angela Da Rocha (Nova Scotia), Michelle Darensbourg (Lancaster, CA), Sam Davis (Sarasota, FL), Jenny Dowd (Alpine, WY), Bonnie Elkerton (Shoreview, MN), Sharyn Erickson (Ham Lake, MN), Thomas E. Finley (Hockley, Essex, England), Julianne French (Jacksonville, FL), Suzanne Gates-Giannaccini (Maple Grove, MN), Elizabeth Geiger (Coon Rapids, MN), Carlen Goldhorn (Minneapolis, MN), Corey Habbas (Blaine, MN), Michael Hale (Johnson City, TN), Amy Hicks (Philadelphia, PA), Margaret Holmes (Hibbing, MN), Sylvia Horwitz (Minneapolis, MN), Sharon Howell (Cambridge, MN), Gary Johnson (Blaine, MN), Elizabeth Kauffman (Salisbury, MD), Brandon Kuehn (Anoka, MN), Nathan Lewis (Minneapolis, MN), Nicole Lindstrom (Vacaville, CA), Alfred McEvoy (La Fargeville, NY), CJ McHugh (Indianapolis, IN), Vanessa Merry (Crystal, MN), Patrice Mura (Bakersfield, CA), Terri Myers Wentzka (Shoreview, MN), Erich Neitzke (Potsdam, NY), George Peterson (Chicago, IL), Gene Pittman (Minneapolis, MN), Ethan Rowan Pope (St. Paul, MN), Brennan Probst (Wilmette, IL), Punchgut (Fargo, ND), Jo-Anne Reske Kirkman (Orono, MN), Mary Ann Rolloff (Bloomington, MN), Rachel Rolseth (Minneapolis, MN), Ken Smith (Los Angeles, CA), Sarah Spencer (Roanoke, VA), Jenna Tanttila (Dassel, MN), Robby Tew (Charleston, SC), Debra Trejo (Stanchfield, MN), Peter Truran (Minneapolis, MN), Joyce VanderWyst (Arden Hills, MN), Sheri Vangen (Ham Lake, MN), Louise Wahl (Long Lake, MN), Laura Weiser (Columbus, OH), Lyz Wendland (Brooklyn Park, MN), Daniel Zender (Brooklyn, NY).

Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts is a nonprofit art center located at the juncture of Rice Creek and the Mississippi River in Manomin County Park. Since 1979, Banfill-Locke has served the community through accessible arts programming including gallery exhibitions, classes and workshops, festivals, gift shop, literary readings and artist residencies. The Art Center has inhabited the historic former Banfill Tavern and Locke House since 1988 through a public/private partnership with the Anoka County Parks Department. Art Center hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. Admission to the galleries is always free. For more information call 763-574-1850 or email info@banfill-locke.org, or visit us at our new website at www.banfill-locke.org.

Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts (BLCA) is a source for the community providing inspiration, enrichment, enjoyment, opportunities and education through the arts.