TURNERS FALLS — Turners Falls High School students have gotten a break from traditional schoolwork by embracing all things spooky, assembling a mob of scarecrows for this weekend’s Scarecrow in the Park event.
Digital filmmaking and theater arts teacher Jonathan Chappell led his group of students through a project to create customized scarecrows in anticipation of the annual competition in Bernardston. While the end goal is to take the students’ work to compete, Chappell said the project’s primary value is the sort of productivity it entails. Students have taken to their assignment with gusto, their straw-stuffed creations exuding each teen’s uniqueness.
Chappell originated the class project last year “as a way to get kids off their phones, outside into nature and working with their hands” during the COVID-19 pandemic. In his time overseeing their creative processes, he’s not only observed individual investment, but investments in their own individuality.
“Every one has a little story that goes to it,” Chappell said. “We’re seeing influences that come from their daily lives.”
He elaborated with observations of students drawing inspiration from video games, movies and other media. Junior Adeline Riley worked with junior Madison Gadreault and senior Haley Randall on a concept she based off of the “Russian Sleep Experiment” horror story.
“It’s great that there’s no end goal and everyone can do what they want,” Riley said. “Everybody’s rooting for each other. … Everybody’s helping each other out.”
The students also voiced appreciation for the project allowing them to think outside the box.
“It’s also a good, non-traditional art,” Randall said.
“It’s very fun and different, and a nice creative break from having to sit in a room all day and testing,” Gadreault said.
The completed scarecrows were headed for Cushman Park in Bernardston, where they needed to be set up in time for Friday afternoon judging. They will be on display throughout the weekend.
Scarecrow in the Park’s popular Tractor Parade will take place at noon on Saturday. The vendors’ booths will be open both days, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and until 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.