We were lucky to catch up with Francis Houston Blakely Suchomel III recently and have shared our conversation below.

Francis Houston, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents can play a significant role in affecting how our lives and careers turn out – and so we think it’s important to look back and have conversations about what our parents did that affected us positive (or negatively) so that we can learn from the billions of experiences in each generation. What’s something you feel your parents did right that impacted you positively.

Growing up I was extremely lucky to have parents who were supportive of, or at least humored, my creative interests and passions. Some of my earliest inspiration came from visits to the Art Institute of Chicago, where I was exposed to historic exhibits like ancient Egypt and classic painters, including the masterful use of color found in the work of Monet. Equally inspirational were Saturday morning cartoons, The Dark Crystal, Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Star Wars, and all sci-fi and fantasy that formed the mythology for a kid growing up in the 70s and early 80s. Like all kids during this time, I wanted an Atari. While I wasn’t thrilled at the time, my parents had a genius compromise. If I wanted to play video games, why not make them? I was handed a thick spiral book on coding in basic and access to a Commodore Vic 20. (An early, and simple, personal computer.) It might seem odd for something so technical to result in artistic inspiration. However, it was this act that ignited a DIY (do it yourself) spirit to create the things I wished existed in the world, artistically and otherwise.

Francis Houston, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Whether expressed through sideshow exhibits and performances, cabinets of curiosities, art, or magic and mysticism, the transcendent nature of aesthetics has been the constant driving force behind Curia Arcanum’s House of Curiosities. This is summed up in our adopted slogan from Jules de Gaultier, “Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.” The seed that started it all was our custom Cartomancy divination card deck, the result of the first Curia Arcanum nearly 15 years ago. “Curia” is a Latin word first used in ancient Rome to designate one’s nonblood family. Over time its meaning has become more generalized, denoting any assembly to discuss the matters at hand. The word Arcanum means “secrets” or “mysteries.” Curia Arcanum could be defined as a “council of mysteries.” The term was initially coined as a moniker for a group of like-minded artists, mystics, and other odd folks—something of a mystic explorers club that ignited the spirit behind all we do.

With our Cartomancy deck, we provided reading at numerous events, markets, and fairs. Gradually we added products, such as in-house reprints of rare and out-of-print magical and mystical books, macabre antiques, and sideshow gaffs. This led to the opening of our first brick-and-mortar Curia Arcanum’s House of Curiosities, located initially off South 1st Street. Due to the impending sale of the property, as well as covid and other circumstances, we hibernated for a brief stint only to reopen at our current 2 story immersive experience located at 5924 S Congress Ave ATX 78745. Like any large-scale project, the House of Curiosities results from a group endeavor. It’s been our good fortune to collaborate with amazing artists, collectors, and performers.

In addition to offering a wide selection of wet specimens, taxidermy, magical books and tools, tarot and oracle card decks, fine art and prints, and novelties, we also offer classes on magic and the paranormal. The first class we offered, covering divination utilizing our custom Cartomancy card deck, came from necessity. Several years ago, we were approached by the Zach Theatre requesting Cartomancy readers for their lobby to support their production of Dracula. With one month to prepare, we streamlined a curriculum to professionally train about a dozen readers in a spread perfect for high-traffic events. Since then, we have trained numerous readers, and in turn, several have gone on to work with us at events.

The House of Curiosities is always under development. We’re constantly adding something to further the subversive experience, facilitating a suspension of cynical disbelief and stimulating inherent curiosity. Rather than a shop, we consider it art you can walk through and participate in.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

While we’ve been extremely fortunate in many ways, we’ve also had our share of trials and tribulations. Unsurprisingly we’ve encountered the typical financial ebb and flow of a small business, uncertainty when the property at our previous location was being sold, and, like so many others shutting down temporarily during covid. During this shutdown, we also went through a personal house fire. Additionally, my wife Katlynn was diagnosed with cancer immediately following the fire. For the next several months, the House of Curiosities was hibernated as we shifted our focus onto essential and immediate concerns. Through these hardships, we realized how lucky we are to be part of such a fantastic community. So many showed up to give their support in every way imaginable, from helping with the aftermath of the fire, assisting with the shop move to its new location and the overwhelming support for Katlynn’s cancer. I can’t imagine how we could have made it through any other way. I’m relieved to say through treatment and surgery today, Katlynn has no evidence of disease. It was a process of rebuilding, rebirth, and finally coming back better than before.

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

Embracing all things that stir the imagination has allowed us to be multi-faceted, facilitating several avenues of art, entertainment, and collecting. We’ve hosted sideshow performances, small plays, burlesque shows, paranormal events, talks and classes on magic and mysticism, and more on our stage. We also host a series of art salons featuring 3 to 4 painters, illustrators, and sculptures, often accompanied by live music and reciting of poetry. In the shop, we carry paintings, prints, sculptures, jewelry, and other works of art by local artists and artisans. We’re also fortunate to be an outlet for amazing collections of rare and uncommon wet specimens and taxidermy. Many of you’d need help finding elsewhere. Of course, there’s great pride in the works created in-house. In our extensive selection of books on magic and mysticism, several are our reprints of classic texts with added commentary and notation. Several topics, such as Western esoteric traditions, can initially be overwhelming. While browsing our books, this has caused several visitors to ask, “Where do I begin?” To help provide a solid footing. We’ve also written a handful of books covering the basics in a hands-on approach that balances theory and practice; in this vein is our custom Cartomancy deck and accompanying courses. The common theme in our work is viewing it as an art to be explored rather than a dogma to be adhered to. Like music, everyone is stirred by and responds to music, but not everyone is impacted by the same music. Our primary focus is to assist you in developing your art. Encapsulating it all is the immersive experience of the shop itself and enhancing it further to be a one-of-a-kind experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: CuriaArcanum.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curiaarcanum/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curiaarcanum/
• Other: CuriaArcanum.com HouseOfCuriosities.com

Image Credits
All photos taken by the Curator (Francis Houston Blakely Suchomel III). Except for the black and white portrait taken by Brandon Ellis using the same techniques used during the 1800s. i.e. not digitally altered.