Join us for a powerful and inspiring cinematic experience celebrating the life and visionary work of renowned folk artist Minnie Evans. 'Minnie Evans: Draw or Die', produced and directed by filmmaker Linda Royal, brings her extraordinary story to the big screen in a moving and unforgettable way. Enjoy an evening of community, conversation, and creativity between screenings. The reception, held at NoCo ARTS--across from the New State Cinema--will feature live music by Fred Royal and Gene Snyder, creating the perfect atmosphere to reflect on the film and connect with fellow art lovers. Minnie Evans: Draw or Die explores the inspirational life and artistic mastery of one of the most important American, visionary artists of the 20th century. Minnie Evans began drawing in 1935, compelled by dreams and the divine. The documentary — its title comes from a mysterious voice Evans heard asking, "Why don't you draw or die?" — coincides with a national resurgence of interest in Evans' work, with multiple touring museum exhibitions. This documentary amplifies Evans’s unique voice through archived conversations with her friend, photographer, and art representative, Nina Howell Starr. In these recordings, Evans reflects on her divine purpose and the unrelenting drive that led her to create an estimated 3,000 works—using crayon and other media on found and donated materials. Much of her art was produced in the small gatehouse at Airlie Gardens, where she worked for 27 years. Visually anchored in Evans’s vibrant compositions, the film weaves together archival imagery, Nina Starr’s photography, and sweeping views of the sunrises and coastal landscapes that inspired her.