Exhibit Description: “Hidden Messages: Black Light Illuminated Art”
The Garden Fort Wayne is thrilled to present Hidden Messages, an innovative and immersive art exhibition that explores the captivating world of black light illuminated art and other forms of light-reactive creations. Opening on Thursday, November 13, 2025, this exhibition invites viewers to experience art in an entirely new way—where hidden layers, vivid colors, and glowing forms come to life under the transformative power of black light.
Hidden Messages showcases works by a diverse group of contemporary artists who use ultraviolet (UV) light to reveal unseen elements within their creations. While traditional art is often appreciated in the natural light of the gallery, the pieces in Hidden Messages only reveal their full depth and beauty under black light. These works challenge the viewer to engage with art on a deeper level, encouraging them to experience the hidden messages and meanings that are otherwise concealed in the darkness.
At its core, the exhibition explores the concept of illumination—both literally and metaphorically. Artists have long used light as a tool to convey meaning, but in Hidden Messages, the focus is on the unseen, the hidden, and the ephemeral. In this exhibit, light does not merely illuminate; it unveils truths, reveals secrets, and brings to the surface what is not visible to the naked eye. As viewers move through the space, the artwork transforms, showing a different dimension under the glow of the black light, offering a unique experience that is constantly evolving.
One of the central themes of the exhibition is the use of color. Traditional pigments and paints, when exposed to UV light, take on an entirely new life. Neon hues that were once subtle are now vibrant and radiant, allowing the artists to explore the contrast between what is seen in normal light and what is revealed when the black light is activated.
UV-reactive artwork can transform a work, as subtle messages and shapes are revealed, offering commentary on mental health, identity, and perception. The idea that we often carry hidden thoughts and emotions that remain unseen by others is central to this exhibition.
We invite viewers to reflect on their own hidden truths.
The opening reception of Hidden Messages on Thursday, November 13 from 6 to 8 PM will offer attendees an exclusive opportunity to experience the artwork firsthand, as well as engage with the artists and their creative processes. Light refreshments will be provided, and guests will be invited to participate in a guided tour of the exhibition, where they can learn about the unique materials and techniques used by the artists. The evening promises to be an immersive and enlightening experience, as visitors explore how black light can reveal what is hidden in plain sight.
Hidden Messages will run until Sunday, December 7, 2025, allowing visitors the chance to revisit the exhibition and experience the works in different lighting conditions. This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to experience art in an entirely new way—by uncovering the unseen and exploring the messages that lie beneath the surface. We invite you to join us at The Garden Fort Wayne for this transformative and thought-provoking experience, where light not only illuminates, but reveals.
ARTISTS - the submission application will be opened up on 4/1/25 (the deadline for submission will be 9/14/25). Mediums Accepted: UV light or heat-activated ink revealing concealed truths; Glow in the dark art.