WASSAIC — Every October, when the summer sun has set and the leaves start to fall, the Wassaic Project gets spooky. Its annual haunted house is a highlight of local Halloween celebrations, and this year, it gets a new home: the Luther Barn. It’s a weekend-long event, with a panoply of talented artists putting their skills to spine-chilling use on Friday, Oct. 23.
This year’s haunts include a mood swing by Judy K. Suh, a monster candy feast by Walker Mettling, a fairy tale forest by Rachael McArthur, a walking-themed shadow puppet show by Theodora Skipitares, a puppet installation and performance by Jane Catherine Shaw and students from the Wassaic Project Junior Varsity Art Club, a robot escape video installation by Chris Golub and Anna Yiaxi Savvidou, a giant moth installation made of Rorschach tests by Erin Perrazzelli, a dancing clown installation and performance around a fire by Brian Whiteley, a haunted petting zoo made of recycled materials by Isabella Schubert-Jones, a giant inflatable puppet created by Nicole Banowetz and Devin Reilly, an alien robot workshop by Jeffrey Repko, and a “coin-operated” haunted music box interactive installation and performance by WHOOP DEE DOO and students from the Wassaic Project Varsity Art Club.
And while some of the installations might be frightening for some, the Haunted Barn is a family affair. Rather than designed to be scary, the work on view is simply inspired by the season. “We’re letting the artists take the lead and make these amazing, never-before-seen pieces,” said Kasssandra Gonzalez of the Wassaic Project. “We really try to make all of the installations focused on children and their experience — but not so dumbed-down that adults can’t enjoy it.”
The event also celebrates public artworks by Liz Nielsen and Akeylah Wellington. Liz Nielsen’s installation in the Gridley Chapel takes the form of stained glass windows, while Wellington’s massive beaded tapestries are inspired by supernova, gas rings, and globular star clusters.
Since its inception, the Monster’s Ball has been an opportunity for the artistically-inclined to channel their creativity into Halloween costumes. Partygoers should take into account mobility, however — the DJ sets and dance floor are the stuff of legend.
Saturday Haunted Barn tickets are $10 for individuals and $20 for families. Friday and Sunday tickets are $8 for individuals, $15 for families. The barn operates on a timed-entry system, and Saturday afternoon is usually the busiest slot.
On Saturday, October 24 at 7 p.m., the action moves down the street to The Lantern, Wassaic’s most sinister bar and restaurant. In The Lantern’s garden, the Monster’s Ball will summon creative spirits for a raucous dance party and costume contest. Tickets are required in advance, and every attendee must wear a costume, lest they wish to be banished at the threshold. The Monster’s Ball has sold out ahead of the event every year, so prospective ghouls and goblins are encouraged to reserve a place before it’s too late.
Bahr’s new space occupies about a quarter of a historic dairy barn in the hamlet center.Photo by Graham Corrigan 
Bahr shares her new space with fellow makers Veronica Tyson-Strait and J.Y. Lym. Photo by Graham Corrigan 
A group of English white cattle graze a pasture off of Downey Road in Millerton. The cattle are contained using “virtual fencing” technology that uses GPS-enabled electric collars rather than physical barriers.Photo by Nathan Miller
Heather Kading feeds a black angus cow at the former Kaplan dairy farm along Route 22 south of Millerton. Around the cow’s neck is a Nofence GPS-enabled collar.Photo by Nathan Miller
