Cynthia von Buhler facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cynthia von Buhler
Born	Cynthia Carrozza 1964 (age 60–61)
Nationality	American, Italian
Education	The Art Institute of Boston; Richmond College
Movement	Surrealist, Magic Realism, Fluxus

Cynthia von Buhler (born Cynthia Carrozza in 1964) is an American artist, author, and producer. She is known for her unique art, exciting theater shows, and popular books.

Early Life and Creative Beginnings

Cynthia von Buhler grew up in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. She was one of six children in a very artistic family. From a young age, she learned many crafts and enjoyed making things in 3D. She created big papier-mâché decorations for Halloween parades and won her first art award in elementary school. Growing up near famous theaters, she loved acting and singing in plays at school and camp.

Cynthia studied art and children's books at The Art Institute of Boston. She later continued her studies in London at Richmond College.

Exploring Immersive Theater Experiences

Cynthia von Buhler creates special shows called immersive theater. In these shows, the audience becomes part of the story. Her most famous show is Speakeasy Dollhouse.

The Mystery Behind Speakeasy Dollhouse

Speakeasy Dollhouse tells a true story from New York City during the Prohibition era. This was a time when selling alcohol was illegal. Cynthia's grandparents owned secret bars called speakeasies. Her grandfather was shot and killed after Prohibition ended. No one in her family knew why.

To understand this mystery, Cynthia built a detailed dollhouse set. It included tiny versions of a secret nightclub, a bakery, and even Ellis Island. She then turned this investigation into an immersive play. The show takes place in a real historic speakeasy. Actors mix with the audience, making everyone feel like they are part of the story. The play's motto is: "The speakeasy is my dollhouse and you are my dolls."

The first performances of Speakeasy Dollhouse were funded by fans through Kickstarter. The show became so popular that it continued for several years. A documentary called Of Dolls and Murder even made a sequel based on Speakeasy Dollhouse.

Popular Immersive Theater Productions

Cynthia von Buhler's immersive theater shows include:

• The Illuminati Ball (2017–2018) at the Weylin in Brooklyn.
• The Illuminati Ball, An Immersive Excursion (2016–2018) at a secret estate in New York City.
• The Bloody Beginning (2016) at Weylin, Brooklyn.
• Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic (2015) at the Liberty Theater in New York City.
• The Brothers Booth (2014) at The Players in New York City.
• The Bloody Beginning (2011–2015) at The Back Room in New York City.

Creating Engaging Graphic Novels

Cynthia von Buhler is also known for her graphic novels, which are like comic books but often longer and more detailed.

The Minky Woodcock Series

She created a series featuring a private investigator named Minky Woodcock.

• The Girl Who Handcuffed Houdini follows Minky as she investigates the last days of the famous escape artist, Harry Houdini. Cynthia based this story on real crime evidence.
• In The Girl Who Electrified Tesla, Minky investigates whether inventor Nicola Tesla developed a powerful "death ray."
• The third book, The Girl Called Cthulhu, sees Minky trying to clear the name of occultist Aleister Crowley after he is accused of murder. This story also includes characters like HP Lovecraft and Ian Fleming.

Collaborations and Other Works

Cynthia also illustrated a two-book graphic novel for the musical duo Evelyn Evelyn. This duo was created by musicians Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley. The book had a special afterword written by author Neil Gaiman.

Writing and Illustrating Children's Books

Cynthia von Buhler has illustrated many children's books and written some herself.

Notable Children's Books

• In 2001, Steven Spielberg asked her to illustrate a story for Once Upon A Fairy Tale. This book helped raise money for children with serious illnesses.
• In 2002, her illustrations for They Called Her Molly Pitcher were praised by The New York Times. The New York Public Library chose it as one of "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing."
• In 2004, she illustrated Nicolaus Copernicus: The Earth is a Planet. Critics loved her "dramatic oil-on-gesso artwork."
• In 2006, Cynthia wrote and illustrated The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside. This book, based on a true story, featured painted clay characters in detailed miniature sets. It was called "a sheer delight" by Kirkus Reviews.
• In 2009, she wrote and illustrated But Who Will Bell The Cats?. This book also featured handmade miniature sets and paper doll characters. Kirkus Reviews said "young readers will pore over this one again and again." The Nassau County Museum of Art even displayed the book's miniature sets in an exhibit.

In 2024, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation showed interest in adapting Cynthia von Buhler's unpublished work Forestina into a movie.

She has also illustrated many young adult book covers, including books by famous authors like Jane Yolen and Scott O'Dell.

Children's Book Awards and Honors

• 2009-10: Cybil Award nomination for But Who Will Bell the Cats?
• 2006: Teacher's Picks: Best of 2006 by Parent & Child magazine for The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside.
• 2006/07: Children's Pick for Winter/Spring by Book Sense for The Cat Who Wouldn't Come Inside.
• 2002: "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing" by The New York Public Library for They Called Her Molly Pitcher.
• 1998: Exceptional Book of the Year for Little Girl in a Red Dress with Cat and Dog.

Unique Fine Art Creations

Cynthia von Buhler's fine art often uses unusual materials like video, live animals, and found objects. Her art pieces often invite viewers to interact with them.

For example, in "Sir Repetitious," viewers could feed live rats inside a transparent sculpture. "Miss Ann Thrope" was a painting with live doves inside that changed the art as they moved. Her art often comments on society and the art world itself.

Her work has been shown in galleries and museums worldwide. Her art is also part of collections owned by famous people like Howard Stern and Jann Wenner. In 2006, Art & Antiques magazine named her "one of the top contemporary surrealists."

Solo Art Exhibits

• October 2012 - January 2013: "The Countess and Her Cats" at The Mark Twain House and Museum, Hartford, CT.
• September 20, 2009 - January 3, 2010: But Who Will Bell The Cats? at The Nassau County Museum of Art, Long Island, NY.
• April 2007 - September 2007: Show and Tell at The Staten Island Museum, Staten Island, NYC.
• February 2006: Cynth-O-Matic: Documented at Studio D'Ars, Milan, Italy.
• October 2005: Cynth-O-Matic at CVB Space, New York, NY.
• June–July 2005: Cynth-O-Matic at CVB Space, New York, NY.
• April–May 2004: Cynth-O-Matic at 301 Gallery, Montserrat College of Art, Beverly, MA.
• October 2004: Cynth-O-Matic at The Dollhaus Gallery, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY.
• September 2001: Inside/Out at New England School of Art and Design, Boston, MA.
• Spring 1999: Through the Looking-Glass, Darkly at National Boston Video Center, Boston, MA.

The Carrozzini von Buhler Gallery

From 2003 to 2008, Cynthia owned and directed The Carrozzini von Buhler Gallery (also known as CvB Space) in New York City. This space was used for art exhibits, film shoots, and events.

In 2007, Cynthia curated an exhibit called Andy Warhol: In His Wake. It featured artists influenced by Andy Warhol. Cynthia created an interactive fortune-telling machine for the exhibit. CvB Space has also been featured in TV shows like ... and the City and Law & Order SVU. Today, CvB Space is a company that leases locations for film and photography.

Music and Performance Art

Cynthia von Buhler also explored the music industry. She started a performance art band called Women of Sodom. This band became very popular in Boston in the 1990s. They performed in clubs across the country and opened for other bands. Their album, Boots, was released in 1997.

Cynthia and her husband also started a record label called Castle von Buhler. They released art and music collections called Soon, Anon, and Nigh. Proceeds from these albums were donated to charities helping people with AIDS. Cynthia's work was often featured on the covers of Boston art and music magazines. She even appeared on MTV twice.

She also managed her husband's band, Splashdown, and helped them sign with Capitol Records. Later, Cynthia's own band, Countess, released a rock opera album.

Music Discography

• 2001: Shooting Star, Countess, Castle von Buhler Records.
• 1999: Nigh, art and music compilation, producer and contributor.
• 1997: Anon, art and music compilation, producer and contributor.
• 1997: Boots, Women of Sodom, PussyKitty Records/Castle von Buhler Records.
• 1996: Soon, art and music compilation, producer and contributor.

Music Awards

• 2002: Countess, Best Club Act (nomination), Boston Music Awards.
• 1997: Women of Sodom, Most Deviant Act, Boston Phoenix Best Music Poll.

Hosting Unique Parties

Cynthia von Buhler is also known for throwing amazing, circus-themed parties. These parties started in Boston and continued in Connecticut and New York City.

In 2010, she hosted a big "Freaks"-themed birthday party in Manhattan. This party celebrated the completion of her graphic novel Evelyn Evelyn and the engagement of her friends Amanda Palmer and Neil Gaiman. Cynthia dressed as a mermaid and greeted guests from a bathtub. Many famous authors attended the party. Scenes from the party were even used in a book trailer for Salman Rushdie's book Luka and the Fire of Life.

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