“They feel the pride of building something for the community that the community can enjoy, appreciate and have fun with,” said artist Sherry Ringler, who works with Project Jericho. “It’s just a win-win all the way around.”
Ringler and Nicole Clem of Project Jericho presented plans for “Autumn Antics” to city commissioners on Tuesday.
The 10 to 15 scarecrows will be displayed downtown on the lawn near the Clark County Public Library and likely at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, beginning Oct. 12.
Passersby can vote for their favorite scarecrow until Oct. 18. An awards ceremony on Oct. 19 will be open to the public.
Ringler first saw a similar scarecrow public art project in Vermont. They caught her attention and she drove around to see each one.
“I thought, ‘What a neat idea,’ ” she said.
Project Jericho, which provides arts outreach programs to at-risk youths and their families, needs more sponsors for the scarecrows. To provide a $50 sponsorship, contact Clem at clemn@clarkstate.edu or (937) 328-3869.
Commissioners thanked Project Jericho for its work with at-risk youths, including a mural at the Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio building.
“This gives them a way to really express themselves creatively and get a positive sense of self,” Mayor Warren Copeland said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0363 or ssommer@coxohio.com.
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