06/08/2026
Born in 1892, Minnie Evans pursued art later in life following a vision in which she was told to “draw or die.” Deeply religious, she believed that God occupied the flora and fauna that surrounded her. While working as a gatekeeper at Airlie Gardens in Wilmington, she took inspiration from the botanical surroundings, often decorating the gates around the gardens with her artwork for visitors to purchase. Through her depictions, she combined the world around her with her dreams and visions, revealing an alternate reality where humans mingled amongst spirits, plants and animals, and the omnipresent eye of God.
See "The Visionary Art of Minnie Evans" at KMAC through October 4th. Generous support for "The Visionary Art of Minnie Evans" provided by Art Bridges.
Image 1: Courtesy Cape Fear Museum of History and Science, Wilmington, NC.
Image 2: Minnie Evans, "Untitled" (Face with eyes and leaf), 1950.
Wax crayon, graphite and ink. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce B. Cameron, Collection of Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington, NC.