Dim the lights, grab a cozy blanket and a mug of cider (or a pumpkin spice latte, if you prefer), and settle in for three tales of terror from our Art World Horror Stories series.

First on the chopping block is Mellyssa Diggs, a brand identity designer whose passion for social justice quickly spiraled into a nightmare of cyberbullying and social media censorship. Next, we turn to Asheville-based artist Wendy Newman. Last fall, her life was upended by Hurricane Helene, which not only obliterated her gallery but also displaced countless artists in her community. Finally, we meet painter Jacobina Oele, another Asheville artist, whose masterpiece was mangled beyond recognition at the hands of an unscrupulous gallery owner.

Presented by NOT REAL ART’s parent company, Crewest Studio, Art World Horror Stories is a podcast about bad things that happen to good artists. In today’s crossover episode, we delve into the spine-chilling stories usually reserved for the spookiest podcast in Crewest’s network.

How You Can Get Involved

Listen: 5 Practical Tips From 30 Years of Art World Horror
Listen: Muralist Amandalynn Took a Great Fall
Visit the Art World Horror Stories website.
Visit Mellyssa Diggs on Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube.
Visit Wendy Newman on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest.
Visit Jacobina Oele on Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
Learn more about Crewest Studio and our host, Scott “Sourdough” Power.
Submit a horror story for 2026.

About Art World Horror Stories and Crewest Studio

Art World Horror Stories is a podcast about bad things that happen to good artists. The series is produced by Crewest Studio, an independent company specializing in entertainment media, publishing, and experiential content, serving a diverse network of professional creatives and enthusiasts. With a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire, the studio recognizes the significance of the $2 trillion creative economy and the 30 million professionals within it. At the helm are co-founders Scott "Sourdough" Power, a seasoned leader with decades of experience, and Man One, a passionate artist dedicated to the transformative power of art in society.

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Episode artwork: David Schwartz.

Art World Horror Stories: From Natural Disasters to Mangled Masterpieces and Social Media Meltdowns