Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick Opens New Exhibit On 1980s Satanic Panic

Friday, September 17, 2021 | Events

The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick (which recently co-presented the first exhibition of Burt Shonberg’s work in over fifty years) has just opened a new show examining one of the strangest periods in American history – the Satanic Panic of the 1980s.

“Knowledge Is Power” by Tim Switalski

Curator Kelly Quest reflects on the Panic and getting this show together:

“I grew up in the ’80s & ’90s at the height of the Satanic Panic. I grew up thinking pentacles were satanic symbols, sneaking CDs home with risqué themes, and friends were playing D&D and Magic the Gathering in secret so our parents didn’t find out. Putting this show together is partly a journey through the nostalgia being a ’90s teenager, and part commentary of the resurgence of moral panic spearheaded by political extremists.”

“The Kids Want to Do Math” by Quil Kolat

From Buckland director Steven Intermiill:

“I just want people to realize the Satanic Panic wasn’t that long ago, and in many ways are still with us. Let’s celebrate the beautiful aspects of our culture that somehow survived through these dark times.”

In addition, The Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick and the Lake Witch have teamed up to highlight the vibrant local scene of artists and magickal community members in the museum’s recently expanded gallery space. Participating artists include: Brian Barr, Lindsey Bryan, L.A. Carr, Ryan Cermak, Michael Civis, Todd Fife, Cassietta Harris, Quill Kolat, Nikki Lundberg, Jennifer Monahan, Lindsay Parker, Ashley Ribblett, Caelan Stokkermans, and Tim Switalski. The gallery is curated by Lake Witch, with pop culture memorabilia exhibit on loan by The Side Quest & Apple Jax Toys.

Satanic Panic: Dragons, Witches, & Monsters In Popular Culture opens September 15th and runs through November 15th. You can purchase tickets to see the show and tour the museum through the Buckland’s website at: https://bucklandmuseum.org/buckland-museum-tickets/. Tickets and masks are required.

Rocco T. Thompson

Rocco is a Rondo-nominated film journalist and avid devotee of all things weird and outrageous. He penned the cover story for Rue Morgue's landmark July/Aug 2019 "Queer Fear" Special Issue, and is an associate producer on In Search of Darkness: Part III, the latest installment in CreatorVC's popular 1980s horror documentary series.