Our Story Begins in the Shadows…
Arts, Shadows, and Stories of the Mill City
Lowell Obscura is a year-round gothic arts and culture series blending literature, music, ritual, and history. Through immersive and inclusive programming, we invite you to join us in the shadows — where heritage meets the beautifully strange.
What is Lowell Obscura?
Lowell Obscura reimagines the city’s historic spaces as sites of gothic imagination, creativity, and community gathering. Rooted in literary tradition and alternative culture, our series blends storytelling, visual art, music, and shared ritual into events that connect past and present.
Our goal is to make Lowell a destination for the curious, the creative, and the culturally adventurous — while supporting local artists, businesses, and community partners.
Our Pillars
Dark Arts
Gothic and alternative aesthetics in music, visual art, film, and fashion.
Shadowed Stories
Folklore, gothic literature, horror, and historic storytelling traditions.
Strange Rituals
Masquerades, promenades, salons, moon ceremonies, and communal rites.
Haunted Heritage
Cemeteries, canals, mills, and spaces that speak to Lowell’s gothic soul.
Why gothic? why lowell?
Gothic culture invites us to explore mystery, beauty, and transformation — not as escapism, but as a deeper engagement with the world around us. In Lowell, this means honoring the city’s layered history while building something new and inclusive.
With its industrial ruins, literary lineage, and rich cultural fabric, Lowell is uniquely suited to become a home for the gothic imagination. Lowell Obscura celebrates this identity — not just through events, but through atmosphere, artistry, and belonging.
Meet the creATORS
Meg Smith
Founder & Curator, Poe in Lowell
A poet, performer, and longtime gothic cultural organizer.
Gabby Davis
Cultural Organizer & Creative Strategist
A leader in creative placemaking and inclusive community events.
Together, Meg and Gabby created Lowell Obscura to blend heritage, imagination, and art into experiences that resonate with locals and visitors alike.
OUR MISSION
To build an accessible and vibrant cultural movement that celebrates gothic arts, historic storytelling, and community ritual in the heart of Lowell.
Join us in the shadows.
Be part of something beautifully strange.
Contact us
Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!