“Step right up folks. Prepare to be amazed.” That’s what you might have heard at the California Institute of Abnormal Arts.
The California Institute of Abnormal Arts was no ordinary place. It was a nightclub, a museum, and a sideshow all rolled into one. The CIA stood proudly on Burbank Boulevard. It drew attention with its unusual charm.
Carl Crew and Robert Ferguson owned the venue. They were both apprentice embalmers. They later became fans of the American sideshow. Together they collected oddities. The CIA was their way of sharing their passion.
Imagine walls painted in circus colors. Picture cryptotaxidermy and vintage sideshow banners. The California Institute of Abnormal Arts showcased oddities. There was a Fiji mermaid. There was the skull of the “world’s smallest Freemason”. Also the severed arm of Claude de Lorraine.
The most famous exhibit was Achile Chatouilleu. He was a circus performer. He wanted his body displayed in his clown attire. His embalmed corpse rested in a glass coffin. It became a landmark at the CIA.
The California Institute of Abnormal Arts hosted many events. These included music. Also performance art and movie screenings. It showcased unusual performances. Club Microwave featured electronic music. Shades and Shadows highlighted dark fantasy literature.
The California Institute of Abnormal Arts even appeared on TV. It was on dating shows and the series Oddities.
Sadly the California Institute of Abnormal Arts closed in July 2022. Financial struggles contributed to its closure. However the memory of the California Institute of Abnormal Arts lives on. It was a haven for the bizarre. It remains a unique part of North Hollywood’s history.