LONG ISLAND CITY — We're not in Kansas anymore.
New Yorkers will get a chance to channel their urban farmer in Queens with a workshop that will help transform Socrates Sculpture Park into a field of freestanding, larger-than-life, sculptural "scarecrows" meant to protect the creative spirit of Queens and ward off the bad ones.
Visiting Canadian artists, Thomas Sokoloski and Jenny-Anne McCowan (Thomas + Guinevere) will lead a series of workshops for kids and adults, during which participants will construct about 40 glowing scarecrows to be installed around Socrates Sculpture Park.
“The work will revolve around the metaphor of Socrates Sculpture Park as a farmland for the cultivation of creative expression and the creation of Scarecrows to protect that expression,” the artists wrote on their website.
Queens, the artists say, has been developed thanks to creative individuals, "through invention, discovery and creativity from film making, art, instrument making, theatre, architecture, medicinal cures, technology, etc.”
The scarecrows — which will vary in size from 4 to 20 feet — will protect the creative spirit of Queens and the park and ward off misfortune, the artists say.
But don't expect the traditional straw and hay scarecrows, said Shaun Leonardo, director of public programs and community relations at Socrates Sculpture Park.
"They are meant to reflect this neighborhood's history of superstitions and scary stories," he said.
He also said the artists are working with the Greater Astoria Historical Society, getting information about different scary tales that have occurred around Socrates Park.
"We are hoping that people from the neighborhood will also bring their stories to the table — their own personal histories of living in this neighborhood and witnessing the change," Leonardo added.
The scarescows will be on display during the park’s annual Halloween Festival on October 20.
The workshops will take place between August 19-31. To participate, you can register here.
