top of page
Minnie square_edited.jpg

Photo by: Nina Howell Starr 

African-American, Southern and self-taught, Evans's paintings and drawings belong among America's famous artists and provide a spiritual antidote to our contemporary divisive times.

  • Instagram
  • Facebook

This is the story of Minnie Evans (1892-1987) whose artistic mastery of a lifetime of visionary dreaming is now recognized on a world-wide stage by art collectors. Born in 1892 in rural coastal North Carolina at a time of racial oppression of her community, Evans worked for decades as the gatekeeper of Airlie Gardens on Wrightsville Sound, NC. In the small wooden gatehouse, she produced hundreds of paintings and drawings. She gave her pictures to people who admired her work, and eventually hung them up near the gatehouse, selling them for a tiny fraction of what her work brings at art auctions today. Working with simple crayon and pencil, Evans’ unique drawings combine exquisitely colored forms and elements of nature and spirituality into her own awe-inspiring creations. 

“This art that I have put out has come from nations I suppose might have been destroyed before the flood...No one know anything about them, but God has given it to me to bring them back into the world." - Minnie Evans

Deep in the archives of the Smithsonian lies a 300-page transcript of conversations between self-taught, African American visionary artist Minnie Evans and photographer Nina Howell Starr, both now deceased. Using archival photographs and historical documents Minnie's words will illuminate her own experience and visions. Grounded in the forms and compositions she produced, the visuals of the film will flashback reenactments of significant moments in her life and also feature the beautiful coastal landscapes and Airlie Gardens that inspired her work.

Minnie Evans with Nina Howell Starr / Wilmington, NC

JOIN US and HELP US COMPLETE THIS FILM

Contribution are tax-deductible through the film's 501c3 fiscal sponsor Southern Documentary Fund (SDF).

 

"Minnie Evans: Draw or Die" will introduce to a wider audience one of the most important American artists of the 20th century. THANK YOU for your support to fund production.  Click above or here to donate online.

 

OR write check to Southern Documentary Fund. ***In MEMO line please write for "MINNIE EVANS: DRAW or DIE." Please include your contact info & email address and mail to: Southern Documentary Fund, P.O. Box 3622, Durham NC 27702

 

SDF also accepts bank wire transfers. Tax letter policy: SDF issues a tax receipt for all donations at the level of $250 and above.                                                              

Photo: Cape Fear Museum

Film Crediting for Donors
End of Film Credits:
Executive Producer: $25,000 +
Co-Executive Producer: $15,000-$24,00
Contributing Producer: $5,000-$14,500
Production possible with
support of: 2,500-$4,500
Additional Funding by: $500-$2,400
Contributions from: $250-$400;

Website, Emails: Thanks to: $200 and less

IMG_0381
Interview_Norris Evans.sm copy
E. Penton_Blaire CAM
IMG_0398

Thanks to our DONORS

Last updated 04/21/23

Executive Producer: Agnes Gund

Co-Producer: Olympia Stone, Floating Stone Productions

Contributing Producer: Annie Gray Sprunt

Production possible with support of: Wendy Williams

 

Additional Funding by;  The Arts Council of Wilmington & NHC, Janie & Carter Lambeth, John Clark & Mary Boney Denison, David Dyer, Janet Kenworthy, Jennifer Kraner & Tony Chambers, Molly Matlock, Steve Tretrault, Doug & Liling Warren

Thanks to our Contibutors: Paul & Maureen Baron, Molly Brooks, Jean Capps, Liz Coffey, Beverly Evans, Norris & Louise Evans, Mary & Deanes Gornto, Bonnie Monteleone, Louise & Matt Scharf,

David & Marsha Warren, Heather Wilson

ADDITIONAL
FILM TEAM

INTERVIEWS
TO DATE WITH

CHRISTIAN DANIEL

BERTHA BOYKIN TODD

ESTHER ADLER

CARA ZIMMERMAN

SHARI CAVIN

TOM PARKER

FRANK MARESCA

BLAIRE JOHNSON - Cinematography

RANDY BENSON - Cinematography

DAHLIA DENNISON- Cinematography

BRAULIO LINN - Sound Recording

TIA ADKINS - Research & Administrative Assistance

NURI MUHAMMED - Production Assistance

Dr. Theodore “Teddy” Burgh - music score

Terrance “Terry” Thompson - music score

NORRIS EVANS

BEVERLY EVANS

ANNE BRENNAN

NATHAN KERNAN

WENDY WILLIAMS

DR. ELIZABETH PENTON

LOUIS ROSS

Partners

2020_SDF_logoBlack_Vertical.png
Screen Shot 2022-05-02 at 5.03.28 PM.png
bottom of page