A Florida artist spent decades turning his property into a maze of sculptures, strange buildings and gardens; after years behind closed gates, his family is reopening the Warlock House Halloween tradition
Lewis VanDercar spent decades transforming his property in Wesley Chapel, Florida, into an unusual space filled with sculptures, artwork, gardens, unconventional buildings and other creations. It is now being reopened for the first time, reviving the property’s Haloween tradition, Wesley Chapel Record reorted.The artist became known locally as the ‘Warlock of Wesley Chapel’ because of the distinctive property he created. His connection with Halloween also goes back to the 1970s, when he lived there with his family and neighbours were invited over for stories, costumes, tricks and treats.The Warlock Family Spookfest will be held on October 3 at The Warlock House Enchantment in Wesley Chapel. The family-friendly event will allow visitors to explore parts of the property while taking part in games, crafts, storytelling, live entertainment and other themed activities.The event is also bringing back a part of the Halloween tradition associated with VanDercar. Children attending the Spookfest will receive Warlock Apprentice Passports and can collect stamps at different themed stations. The activities include pirates, mermaids, herbology, bubbles, carnival games, broom decorating and storytelling.
How Warlock House took shape
VanDercar moved to the Wesley Chapel area in 1973 and bought eight acres of land. He later built a dome-shaped, ivy-covered home that was designed to resemble a cave. Over the years, he filled the property with concrete sculptures, gardens, artwork and unusual architecture.His work was not limited to his own property. Before moving to Wesley Chapel, VanDercar drew Popeye cartoons from a Miami studio in the late 1930s. He later served in the merchant marines during World War II and worked as an aircraft engineer before making a living through painting and sculpting.Among his other works were a gorilla’s lair for Monkey Jungle in South Dade and a giant dragon for a park on Merritt Island.The unusual nature of his work also led to questions about whether he was a ‘crazy’ artist or a genius. In his December 1988 Miami Herald obituary, VanDercar responded to the description by saying, “I’m both. I think us geniuses should be modest.”The property he created eventually became closely associated with his identity as the ‘Warlock of Wesley Chapel’. His grandson Bobby VanDercar now operates VanDercar Studio, a painting business in the Tampa area. The studio’s website describes Lewis VanDercar’s concrete sculptures as having transformed the Wesley Chapel property into an artistic landmark.
Lewis VanDercar spent decades filling his Florida property with sculptures, gardens, artwork and unusual buildings.
Halloween tradition returns
According to the Wesley Chapel Record, a neighbour named Jeff Daniels recalled that VanDercar “would invite us neighbor kids over at Halloween to tell us stories.”The new Spookfest is built around a similar family-friendly approach. Rather than focusing on frightening visitors, the event will offer themed activities that children can explore around the property.Children will use their Warlock Apprentice Passports as they move between activities. They can collect stamps at the different stations and receive a special prize after completing their adventure.The event will also include games, crafts, live entertainment, food vendors and other activities. Families can attend in costumes, although the organisers describe the experience as playful rather than scary.According to The Laker Lutz News, the festival will take place from 2 to 6 pm. on October 3 at The Warlock House Enchantment, located at 25950 Queen Sago Place in Wesley Chapel.Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children aged 10 and older. Children younger than 10 can attend for free.
Statuary tours planned in October
The Halloween event is not the only opportunity for people to see the property. The Warlock House Enchantment will also offer statuary tours on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout October.The tours are scheduled for 7 pm and 10 pm and will give visitors an opportunity to see the sculptures and other creations on the historic property.The opening marks a change for a place that had largely remained behind closed gates. Details about the Spookfest and October statuary tours are available through The Warlock House Enchantment.
