The Archives of the Strange & Unusual

09/07/2026

"They tell me that our sense
of taste dulls
as we get older.

But tomatoes and sweet corn still taste like July
sugar snap peas
are greener than the road to Nantahala,
And regret taste of ash.

We have fire in our water here
the lights are always a little too low
the faces ebbing and flowing in the walls around me
are looking for something I'm not sure I ever had

They tell me that St. Jude
was baptized by the holy spirit in the Pentacost
Baptized by fire, returned to earth, reborn in the image of God
who sees us naked in our frailty and forgives

I can smell those I have lost
I can taste what I do not want
I understand the greatest thing I have lost
is time."

-Saint Anthony Walks Into A Bar
From Evidence of Life by Phoebe Isabelle Esmon

Gorgeous new work pictured by Kelly Austin - come see her incredible new nature-inspired art pieces at The Archives of the Strange & Unusual. We are open Monday.

09/04/2026

Archives artist Kelly Austin is the artist behind Hound's Mouth Tattoo, and we are so proud to showcase her stunning and absolutely one-of-a-kind art pieces.

Prince of a thousand enemies

09/04/2026

We love Gothdad 🖤
If you are at DragonCon this year, don't miss seeing Dusty and the Agonal Gasps' debut!

08/31/2026

ARTIST CALL, Y'ALL! Please share with your friends.

Hey, Besties! The Archives of the Strange & Unusual always has room for Strange and Unusual art! That means if you make ANYTHING in the gothic, cottagecore, circus/sideshow/carnival, steampunk, rockabilly, magikal, witchy, fae, etc. aesthetic, shoot us a message or come by and talk to us- we want you at The Archives!

Space rental and commission available. If you are an artist but need help figuring out how to market your art and get prints and stickers, we may be able to help. Don't let that prevent you from getting your art out there!

Handmade toys by Possum Hands

08/31/2026

Spooky season is practically upon us! (For some of us that is 24/7/365, lol.) If you are planning on coming to Pumpkin Fest (Oct. 17) and Krampusnacht (Dec. 5), it's time to start thinking about costumes!

What is everyone going to be?

08/31/2026

"What she taught me is to feel that you are part of this place. Not a visitor."

-Craig Foster, My Octopus Teacher

Just a reminder today that we are all Home, and we are all in this together.

Sculpture by Laurie Beegle

08/27/2026

OMG!!!
THIS FRIDAY!
TOYBOX THEATRE is hosting Asheville Vaudeville!!!
And as always, at every Vaudeville show, I will be presenting a BRAND NEW!! WORLD PREMIER PUPPET SHOW!!!
This is gonna be a good one.
DO NOT MISS IT!!

08/27/2026

"She sees the little lost one everywhere,
eyes on the dead moths

across her ceiling. In ten years’ time she will
remind me of this. How could I forget?

Rosy maple moths the colour of
Battenbergs perched on a fingertip.

House moths she always preserved in the most
gothic ways, carrying them with her.

A weaver’s wave moth, with an arrhythmic
flutter. The one that found her in the

countryside, the day she finally cried
and I wasn’t there.

The moth tattoo on her arm will be thick, bold,
macabre and feminine. Warm eyes

like hers on its wings. The ink line
bumps will feel like scars, something

we both know well.
I will trace it

in this imaginary future, on her baby’s
would-be anniversary

thinking how the word moth is
half mother,

motherhood a scar on her chest
she’s had as long as she can remember,

And how we always said things in halves,
leaving the rest up to interpretation.

Moths always scared me.
Now I think of them often.

Souls take many shapes, and what a privilege
for them to be drawn to her.

Always a bold, strong,
lovely thing."

-Kayleigh Jayshree

New work by Laurie Beegle, available at The Archives of the Strange & Unusual.