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A photo of PHAC's Jennifer Smirl, Gallery Director, in studio to highlight the Halloween Tour Haunted Gallery.
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The Pembina Hills Arts Council is introducing a spooky new addition to its programming with the launch of a Halloween-themed event—the Haunted Gallery Tour. The gallery’s director, Jennifer Smirl, shared the excitement behind the council's inaugural event, which promises to offer a unique and eerie experience for visitors.

"This is our first year doing this Halloween tour," said Jennifer Smirl, who took on the role of gallery director in March. Smirl explained that while the tour starts with a lighter scare, it progressively intensifies, allowing participants to ease into the atmosphere. "It’s not too long. So, you don’t have to make a big commitment. It’s about a 15-20 minute tour," she added.

What to expect on the tour

The tour, designed to capture the essence of Halloween, is anything but a traditional art gallery experience. "We’ve got a toxic waste area with pretty psychedelic colors, all black lit. It's a bit of a light show," Smirl explained. The experience includes a mad scientist area, complete with one-of-a-kind sculptures made by local artists, a werewolf creature, and a "not so pretty" medical area for those who like their scares a bit gorier.

Smirl shared that for those who are squeamish about certain scenes, such as the medical room, there’s the option to skip them. "You can pass by the medical room if gore is not your thing," she said. However, the overall tour must be completed to exit the gallery.

A tour fit for halloween lovers

As for the Halloween aesthetics, visitors can expect to encounter plenty of spooky settings, from a spider-infested hallway to a wizard’s potion lab, a haunted child’s bedroom, and even a cemetery. "You’ll be walking through a bit of a haze," Smirl noted, adding that a smoke machine will add to the eerie atmosphere.

For those wondering if the event is family-friendly, Smirl advises parents to consider the intensity of the scares. "We have a warning for kids under the age of 14. It’s not the one with princesses and happy clowns," she said, while hinting at plans to expand the event in the future with separate areas for younger children.

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A community effort for a cause

Not only is the Haunted Gallery Tour an exciting event for the community, but it’s also a fundraiser for the Arts Council. "We’re hoping it’ll get bigger every year, and the money raised will go towards creating programming for the community," Smirl shared. "We’re a nonprofit, or as I like to call it, ‘for social profit.’”

Smirl highlighted the importance of making art accessible to everyone and noted that events like the Haunted Gallery Tour provide opportunities for local artists to contribute their talents. "Margie Hildebrand has been an amazing volunteer," Smirl said, acknowledging the efforts of the many people involved. "We’ve had lots of other volunteers as well. Silica Van Niekerk, who has a show in Pulse Gallery right now, has also helped out."

Details and dates

The Haunted Gallery Tour opens on Thursday, October 17, and will run Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays for the next two weeks, as well as on Halloween night. Tour times are 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays, and on Halloween night from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Tickets are $5 per person, and Smirl encourages attendees to register online via the gallery’s website to avoid waiting at the door. With slots filling up quickly, it's best to reserve early. "This is a fun way for our artists, volunteers, and staff to create something special," Smirl concluded.

For more information or to register for the event, visit www.pembinahillsarts.com, or call the gallery directly.

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