Vendors were ready at their booths with eclectic and macabre art pieces at the Dark Art and Oddities Con from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in Altgeld Hall.
There were a variety of vendors and artists with different styles at the convention.
Some vendors had more of a witchy theme with scented spell-infused candles, tinctures and magical trinkets while other vendors had illustrations, clay and metaphysical art.
“This is my first year actually selling my art and creative pursuits,” said Nellie Jenkin, a Rockford resident and owner of Chaos Creations. “I do a lot of different types of art in ink pen, paintings, watercolors, and I also make jewelry and other very witchy things.”
The convention had a costume contest for horror fans to see who was the scariest.
“I got another reason to dress up this year,” said Patti Sommerfeldt, a Janesville, Wisconsin, resident. “Not that I can’t do this whenever I want, right? But it’s more fun when you have a purpose.”
Attendees could also enjoy a screening of the silent horror classic “Nosferatu” (1922) that was paired with a live organ performance by Jay Warren.
On Sunday, the convention included an indie horror film fest that also gave attendees the opportunity to view a screening of “Christmas Revenge.” There, the viewers could participate in a Q&A with the filmmaker.
There were also interactive workshops held for attendees to learn a new craft. One booth, “Witches Treasure Trove,” had an anti-anxiety satchel workshop, where attendees could learn to make pouches that help release negative energy.
Along with the anti-anxiety workshop, there was an aura photography workshop to learn about chakras and aura colors.
Attendees could also participate in a raffle to win various prizes from each booth. The proceeds would go to Bat Conservation International, an organization whose mission it is to end bat extinctions. The BCI had a program for participants to adopt a bat as well.
The Dark Arts and Oddities Con, while spooky, was a friendly environment for attendees and vendors.
“I’ve always had a really great passion for it, something I want to go really far for,” said Bethany Madison Adkins, a DeKalb resident and owner of Bethany Madison Designs. “It takes a lot of skill and a lot of times, sometimes you’ve got to erase the whole thing and start over. But I just try my best, I really do.”
