Art Ghoullery IX: Nine Lives to Live| On view on the Second Level from 1 October - 1 November 2026

Masquerade Reception 
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. on Saturday 31 October 2026

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It is often said insanity is repeating the same act and expecting a different result. But what if the repetition wasn’t your choice? Instead of waking up to a new day, every morning brings you a reprise of the day you just lived. How long could you live the same day in an unending cycle of mundanity? How many cycles could you live through before you forgot your past? How much daily recursion could you tolerate before psychological decay sets in? What if your mortal coil finally veered off into the great unknown, your eyes closing as your body was pulled into the deep embrace of Death, only to open them again and find yourself in bed at the start of that same day?

​”Art Ghoullery IX: Nine Lives to Live” is the ninth iteration of an annual exhibition dedicated to the scariest of holidays. It brings frightening fringe art back to The Rourke with the assistance of fantastic artists – both local and remote. The interpretation of motif ranges from cute to creepy, while the diversity of visual language on display creates a macabre melody sure to delight both the sinister and silly. 

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Hello ghouls and goblins! Art Ghoullery is back!

Art Ghoullery IX: Nine Lives Left to Live is the ninth iteration of an annual exhibition dedicated to the scariest of holidays. It brings frightening fringe art back to The Rourke with the assistance of fantastic artists—both local and remote. 
“Art Ghoullery IX: Nine Lives to Live” explores themes of recursion, reanimation, rebirth, and reincarnation. 
   
This year's Art Ghoullery's curator/juror is Mark Elton!
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The Masquerade Reception will be held on Saturday 31 October from 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. This event is free and open to the public; all ages are welcome! Refreshments will be provided.
     
Come dressed in your Halloween finery for a masquerade reception celebrating the ninth iteration of The Rourke's fan-favorite exhibition, the Art Ghoullery! Enjoy tarot readings from Hexe Hilde, special Ghoullery crafts in the Children's Gallery, Cinemacabre selections in The Rourke Micro-Theatre, adult and youth costume contests, and more!
     
This event is presented in part by generous support from Darren & Jane Leno, Kerry Dangerud, Hoglund Landscape & Design, and Silver Goat Media.
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The Juror’s Choice and People's Choice awards will be presented during the Masquerade Reception.

Voting for the People's Choice Award is open now until the evening of the Masquerade Reception on Saturday 31 October 2026.
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(Ghoullery curator/juror Mark Elton is not eligible for the People’s Choice Award.

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Winners of the Art Ghoullery IX -Nine Lives to Live!
(To Be Announced on the day of the Masquerade)

​Juror's Choice Award Winner
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People's Choice Award Winner
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A few of the pieces you will find at this year's Art Ghoullery!