Dying For Art

Victorians developed new colors and techniques for making art, but some could put them in their graves! Find out about the deadly ingredients list, artists who may have inadvertently poisoned themselves, and what colors were the most problematic at this event. From arsenic to lead, Victorian artists were exposed to a spectrum of toxins. Join special guests Urge Palette to learn how to stay safe with today’s artists’ materials.

Join us in the gardens of Heritage House (8193 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, CA 92504) on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 4 p.m., to learn about all the dangerous ingredients, paints, and supplies that Victorians were “dying” for. Spend some time creating your own memento mori, and don’t forget to take a tour of the house. Gilded: The Art of Heritage House will be through November 29, 2026, and Behind the Black Veil will be on view October 2 through November 1.

Activities will be held from noon to 4 p.m. They will include a memento mori collage activity, artists and art showcasing dangerous and deadly art supplies, and a presentation by Urge Palette on the dangers of contemporary art supplies. This event is suggested for those ages 16+.

“Dying for Art” is one of three programs accompanying the Gilded: The Art of Heritage House exhibition, which will be on view through November 29, 2026. Two other programs are “Art in the Victorian Era” (September 12, noon to 4 p.m.) and “Write Like a Victorian: A Literary Romp” (November 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m.)