The LSU Museum of Art defines Southern Gothic not as a strict genre, but as a mood that blends elements of horror, romance, decay, spirituality and dark humor. Get into the Halloween spirit with a tour of its newest exhibit, Southern Gothic: Literary Intersections with Art from The Johnson Collection. This month, guests can enjoy the museum’s artwork display, plus a reception and a night of spooky storytelling inspired by the art.

The Exhibit

From October 1 to January 3, this exhibition will explore how visual artists have worked with the American South’s layered history to tell their stories. It will show these ideas through a lens of Southern literature as it examines how artists visually translate the same ideas found in the writings of William Faulkner, Flannery O’Connor, Tennessee Williams and Toni Morrison. The exhibition draws from The Johnson Collection in South Carolina and various Louisiana institutions like the Newcomb Art Museum, the Roger Houston Ogden Collection and the LSU Museum of Art’s permanent collection. The exhibit also features pieces from art collector and historian Jeremy Simien, whose collection was featured as the cover story of our October 2023 issue.

The Reception

On October 15, the LSU Museum of Art will hold the exhibit’s reception, Geaux South, from 6-8 p.m. Gothic-inspired attire and costumes are encouraged for this evening of light bites, music, cocktails and creativity. Guests must be 21 or older to attend. Museum members can attend for free by emailing [email protected] for a promo code, and non-members can purchase their tickets here.

The Ghost Stories

In addition to the months-long exhibit and its reception, the museum will also host a night of creative writing and sketching with its Ghost Stories in the Galleries event. On October 27 from 6-8 p.m., attendees will enjoy an evening of guided creativity as they craft their own haunting scenes inspired by Southern Gothic artwork. Guests must be 16 or older, and adults must accompany those under 18. The event is free to attend, but space is limited to 15 participants. To reserve your spot, pre-register here.

To learn more about this exhibit’s upcoming events, scroll to the bottom of this page.