Go See This: 9th Annual Death Faire at The Plant

James Vose is a local business owner, US Army Veteran, and father. He currently serves as a Pittsboro Town Commissioner and is committed to generating a vibrant cultural community through projects like our Go See This series. Vose Natural Stone is proud to be our 2024-2025 sponsor, and we are delighted to present the first article of the season. We invite you to Go See This…

This November 1–2, the ninth annual Death Faire returns to The Plant in Pittsboro, inviting attendees to engage with death, grief, and healing through art and ritual. Rooted in the death positivity movement, the event encourages open conversations about mortality to transform fear into acceptance. Explore the universal human experience of death through the transformative powers of art, movement, and expression.

At the heart of Death Faire is a vibrant collection of artists and performers who use their work to explore themes of mortality and transformation. From the soulful music of Bear Roots to the intricate puppetry of Paperhand Puppet Intervention, each artistic medium brings a unique approach to the subject of mortality.

Susan Baker Cartledge will lead a mask-making workshop that invites participants to create symbolic masks reflecting the internal and external aspects of their relationships. Cartledge’s personal story of using letters from her estranged mother to construct a deeply meaningful mask highlights the transformative power of art.

This year also features Emily Merletto, the artist behind the event’s poster, who will volunteer throughout the weekend. Reflecting on the role of art in grief, Merletto explains: “I believe in the power of creating art as a channel for our soul to express itself, especially in times of great loss and grief when the pain we experience needs an avenue to run its course. Art captures the enormity of death in ways that remind us that life would be without meaning if not for our own mortality. The beauty of art lies not only in the act of making it or the final outcome but also in its ability to transcend space and time—long after its creator has come and gone.”

Emily’s colorful work, along with that of other local artists, will be on display in the Smelt Art Gallery until November 19, but visitors will have a chance to meet and engage with the artists from 12:15 p.m.-1:15 p.m. on Nov. 2. The “Embracing Life in the Face of Death” gallery exhibit sets the tone for an event that encourages attendees to move grief outward—whether through dance, storytelling, or hands-on projects like mask-making. Instructor Oscar Garcia of Colibri: Spirit in Motion will offer dance sessions, inviting attendees to “dance it out” as a way of releasing heavy emotions. Celebrate the power of poetry with Karen Howard’s “Love after Life: Community Poetry Reading.” Share original poetic work (please note, participants must sign up to secure a slot) or simply enjoy listening to the sound of spoken words.

The event will also include an interactive altar for remembrance and an art exhibition showcasing work born from personal experiences with loss. Since Death Faire’s founding in 2016—born from the grief of parents who lost their 19-year-old son to the opioid crisis—this gathering has become a place of profound reflection and healing. 

At 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, keynote speaker Sherrie Dillard, a celebrated medium and author, will discuss the importance of connecting with the dead to fully embrace life. Ultimately, the heart of the Death Faire lies with its attendees—those who share their deepest losses, showing that grief, when expressed and shared, can transform. Join this year’s Death Faire at The Plant to explore how art can move emotions words cannot, and discover new ways to honor the past while embracing life’s impermanence.

The Short Version

• • What: 9th Annual Death Faire
  • When: November 1-2, 2023 (The full lineup can be found here)
  • Where: The Plant, 192 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
  • Cost: Free to attend (Bring funds for food, beverage, and shopping)
  • Parking and accessibility: parking available, paved walkways
  • For more information: sanctuaryattheburrow.com/deathfaire