Bat Witch Ghost

A grassroots coven of creativity using the American haunted house tradition to bring together the Bay Area art community and neighborhood at large.

Mission Statement: BWG is an arts organization building on the tradition of the American haunted house. We unite artists, neighbors, and local businesses in collaborative creation, artistic stimulation and neighborhood connection. Our mission is to use recycled and discarded materials whenever possible and to provide paid opportunities for artists and craftspeople. Through a sustainable revenue model, we aim to become a lasting San Francisco tradition that celebrates the city's creative spirit and love of costumed performance. Bat Witch Ghost demonstrates how community-driven art can be both financially viable and socially transformative, designing gathering spaces where creativity and community intersect.
History: BWG is an inspired combination of youthful visits to neighborhood haunts put on by Jayceesâ€"a nationwide network of community organizations that created grassroots fundraising haunted houses throughout the 1970s and 80sâ€"and slightly more mature visits to exhibitions by Cameron Jamie and Thomas Hirschhorn at the Walker Art Center and many many other interactions with artworks around the world. Through sustained involvement in the music, art, and public life of Minneapolis, New York City, and San Francisco, we developed a grassroots ideology centered on appreciation for the esoteric and bizarre. Our initial endeavor into haunts was in Minneapolis in 2011 when we built a haunt in the basement of the Soap Factory art gallery. It ran for many years and became a major source of funding for the gallery. After many years away, the itch returned and the Corridor of Horror was bornâ€"a three day San Francisco installation that transformed an apartment building using salvaged cardboard, paper mache, minimal lumber, and basic electronics often purchased on used marketplaces. The project welcomed over 200 visitors and earned acclaim from KQED as "my favorite art experience of the year." The enthusiasm for this event has motivated us to build on the momentum and attempt to create a self sustaining organism that can live in San Francisco for years to come.

Merch

Bat Witch Ghost Merchandise
Bat Witch Ghost Merchandise
Bat Witch Ghost Merchandise
Bat Witch Ghost Merchandise

2024 Corridor of Horror