Local artists Sarah Goodnow Riley-Land and William Riley-Land present “Beneath the Surface,” a trompe l’oeil installation created with layers of homemade adhesive, and inspired by the work of Italian street artists. Be sure to experience each layer of these pieces on your way to the next film! These can be spotted in Alley A and along the wall of The Blue Note.

Artists Sabrina Braden and Sasha Goodnow have transformed our Box Office into a lush, decadent Victorian-era parlor; this cozy yet off-kilter space will confuse and amaze as only the best magicians can.

Upstairs at the Blue Note, bathe in a sea of video donated by the Chicago Film Archives and resident archivist Anne Wells, encrusted in coral courtesy of local artist Sarah Mercer.

St Louis artists Georgia McCandlish and Anya Liao’s “a large and sensitive darkness” is a haunting piece that explores the very basics of communication, on display at the Globe. Be sure to glimpse into the world beyond the wall as emerging figures stretch through to create a connection.

Be sure to look out for Maggie Tripp’s work, inspired by a love of film, which causes a big scene on a small scale at Forrest Theater and Hittsville (Ragtag/Uprise/9th St Video/Hitt Records).

Mojo’s / Local artist Gabrielle Parish, with the assistance of artist Madeline Carl and carpenter Mac McDermott, transforms Mojo’s into a magic reality of doors to nowhere and intricate shadow puppets.

Cafe Berlin / As you dance the nights away at our Music Showcases, ponder where the musicians might end up if they went through any of the doorways that our very own Gabrielle Parish has installed on-stage. Returning artist Jesse Graves has created “Sensory Synthesis” with Shannon Molter. Sensory Synthesis is an interactive traveling sculpture-puppet that will make it’s debut through the March-March parade. Afterwards, you can find this creature at Cafe Berlin for the music showcases! The sight of this large colorful creature emitting interesting sounds will also allow festivalgoers to move and operate the sculpture itself.

The Blue Fugue / Inspired by Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin’s Marvelous Orange Tree, local artists Gabrielle Parish, Madeline Carl and Mac McDermott have transformed the Fugue into an orange grove. Bask in the illusions of the “father of the modern style of conjuring” while you tap your feet to the best music T/F has to offer.

At @ction, local magic makers Gabe Meyer and Brian Doss bring us their vision of an alternate world where T/F staffers are truly kin. Dance your heart out beneath the figurative glow of their familial affection and the actual glow of intricate light installations. Elsewhere you may stumble upon mirrored tree-houses ready to be inhabited by party-goers.

Hailing from St. Louis, SPORE Projects returns to construct a Buckminster Fuller inspired structure spearheaded by area native Emily Hemeyer, installed on the Hittsville lawn. The piece showcases SPORE’s signature collaborative spirit combined with eclectic and mysterious materials in and out. Explorable by day and illuminated by night, expect a menagerie of multi-sensory experiences inside: things may not be as they seem.

Local artists Britta Simpson and Lizzie Bryan present “Prismic Illusions,” colorful, multifaceted statues meant to confuse and amuse. As you make your way through the lobby of the Picturehouse, be sure to catch a glimpse of these structures at all angles, some may surprise you!

Minneapolis-based artist Eric Rieger, aka HOTTEA, has worked closely with the T/F ART Team and local artist Katie Jenkins to create “Resilience,” a massive and stunning rain of color, made entirely of yarn (12 miles of it!), stretching from the third floor to just above the average human’s height in the Rotunda of Jesse Hall.

Hittsville hosts the work of Los Angeles-based artist Akiko Stehrenberger, creator of the gorgeous illustration for this year’s T/F poster. T/F fans will recognize a few of the films whose posters are on display, and all will be impressed by the breadth of Akiko’s work and talent. Frames courtesy Terry Rice; glass courtesy Koonse glass; frame assemblage courtesy The Missouri Art Gallery.

Returning artist Jesse Graves has created “Sensory Synthesis” with Shannon Molter. Sensory Synthesis is an interactive traveling sculpture-puppet that will make its debut through the March-March parade. Afterwards, you can find this creature at Cafe Berlin!

While you’re picking up your tickets or purchasing this year’s fabulous T/F merch, don’t miss the Story Store, an interactive project from the folks of Folk to Folk. This pop-up trading post re-imagines the purchasing processes involved in our everyday experiences. Participants contribute a small, meaningful object, but rather than selling it, they tell the story behind the object, and have the chance to choose a story and object that resonates with them in exchange. — open Wed 4P-9P and Thurs, Fri, Sat, & Sun 11A-4P. For more info, visit thestorystore.net.

St Louis-based artist Leland Drexler-Russell’s “TransPlant,” located at the Ragtag end of the alley, will surprise and delight with his glowing nest-egg-polyps that react as Fest-goers venture towards them.

As you enter the lobby, look up for these mesmerizing helical forms created by St Louis artists Elisa Sugar, Sarah Paulsen, and D. Lohr Barkley. These hollow structures adorned in fabric skins twist and turn as they amplify the lofty ceilings at the Picturehouse.