“Minnie Evans: Draw or Die” Screening and Discussion

The acclaimed documentary Minnie Evans: Draw or Die will be screened at the Chelsea Theater in Chapel Hill on Monday, June 29, with showings at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

A self-taught, visionary artist and one of North Carolina’s most important cultural figures, Minnie Evans (1892–1987) lived in Wilmington, where she worked at Airlie Gardens, and started creating in mid-life, the intricate, dream-inspired drawings that brought her international recognition. Her nature and spiritually infused art—filled with bold color, symmetrical patterns, and botanical forms—defied convention and classification. The one-hour 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. Following both screenings, audiences are invited to stay for a special discussion with director Linda Royal and Minnie Evans’ great-grandchildren, who appear in the film.