The Exploration Place is set to unveil its latest exhibit, "Inga Andersen: The Blackout Girl Remembered," on Dec. 7 in the George Phillips Exhibit Gallery.
This exhibit will celebrate the life and legacy of Andersen, a multi-talented dancer, choreographer, actress and wartime performer with deep connections to Prince George.
Exploration Place announced the opening Friday, Nov. 22.
Born in Buenos Aires and raised in Prince George, Andersen became an international sensation, known for her captivating performances in London, Paris, New York and beyond.
By the age of 16, she had already founded the Inga Andersen School of Dance in Prince George, before pursuing her career in Hollywood. She was a key member of the renowned Albertina Rasch Dancers, performing for royalty and cultural icons of her time.
Andersen’s courage during the Second World War earned her the nickname “The Blackout Girl.” She performed for Allied soldiers in bombed-out buildings, singing without microphones and boosting morale with her humour, bravery, and satirical anti-Nazi songs, the announcement states.
Her outspoken defiance of the Nazi regime made her a target, with her name appearing on Hitler’s execution list.
The exhibit will feature an array of never-before-seen artifacts, including photographs, costumes and recordings from Andersen’s career.
Highlights include newly discovered vocal recordings and archival footage of her wartime performances.
Visitors will be able to trace Andersen’s journey from her early years in Prince George to her rise as a global star and her return to the community she once called home.
The exhibit will explore why this trailblazing performer, once the toast of London, New York, and Paris, faded from the public eye.
“Inga Andersen was not only a talented singer, dancer, and performer, but she was also fearlessly outspoken," states assistant curator Chad Hellenius. "She had charm, wit, and an undeniable presence that commanded attention, and she deserves to be remembered as the national treasure that she was.”
For more details, visit The Exploration Place website.
