The World Behind the Curtain

Beneath the moss draped oaks in Shadows of the Carnival, a crimson tent glows through the evening mist. A carriage waits nearby, but we never see who has arrived or what is happening inside. The painting leaves that part to our imagination.

Each fall, Tanner Gallery has the chance to create a world of its own. We have long loved bringing Halloween into the gallery alongside Tanner’s Southern Gothic landscapes, and this October marks the third annual Immortals’ Ball. The event became a tradition because we wanted to go beyond a typical unveiling of a new original. We wanted to create an immersive space inspired by the artwork and invite our supporters to experience it together from within.

Immortals’ Ball takes nearly six months to plan. We choose a theme, transform the gallery and courtyard with details such as moss and spiderwebs, bring in music, and watch Tanner develop a painting that reflects the world taking shape around it. His dark, moody landscapes often suggest there is more waiting beyond what we can see on the canvas. For one night, we get to imagine what it would be like to walk inside the painting itself.

The unveiling is a moment we look forward to each year because it gives guests the first chance to see a new original before its public release. Yet the world we prepare only becomes complete when people arrive. Looking back at last year’s Ball, we remember the care guests put into their costumes and the excitement of seeing what each person brought through the carriageway. Our annual costume contest celebrates that creativity, but the costumes do more than take part in a contest. They make our guests part of the setting.

This year, we invite you behind the curtain once again. Immortals’ Ball returns to Tanner Gallery & Studio on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Our theme is Shadowwood Swamp, and we hope you will venture into the mist disguised as your favorite creature of the swamp.