GEORGETOWN, Ky. — It’s witches brew that’s sure to conjure up some unsightly beings.
Gina Kirwan is a ghoul artist. She's working to get things ready for the holiday. "It starts with a base that is really just a traffic cone that's covered in a fabric that's soaked in concrete. And that provides a really sturdy base for whatever I'm going to do."
Kirwan is working her magic to create some frightening souls to bring to life a collection of ghouls that parade along Main Street here in Georgetown.
"So, I have created probably 25 ghouls, maybe 30, and they're all over the place," she said.
You don’t have to look far to get a glimpse of these scary creatures. They seem to be lurking around almost every front yard in this Scott County community.
Kirwan says he can't get enough of the creatures. "I think that Halloween lends itself to the creepiness of the ghouls."
Gina’s home is the sure definition of creepiness. Ghouls of all sizes and shapes surround this place, each providing its own spine-chilling welcome of the Halloween season.
Kirwan likes having her creepy friends around. "I really like Connie behind me. She was really different when I did her. She's all crippled over, but she's doing her best. And I love that."
A love that motivated Gina to take a step beyond just creating these terrifying shapes, and influenced her to create “Ghouls for a Cause,” something that she could do to support some local charities.
Kirwan said, "I just felt like if people wanted to buy them, which last year they had expressed a desire to buy them, then I wanted to be able to support my favorite charity, which is AVOL. And also, the Amen House, which I love their mission, and that it stays right here in Georgetown."
AVOL is a center for HIV prevention and community outreach while Amen House is a nonprofit that provides food, clothing and financial assistance to those who need it in Scott County.
Donations that Gina’s neighbors are happy to give, if it means they can have one of Gina’s ghouls stand tall in their front yard.
"The neighbors have really enjoyed them. They really have. They like them. They want them in their yard," said Kirwan.
Ghouls that showcase Gina’s artistic talents, her love for her community, and her Halloween spirit is something she can't get enough of.
"If I can do something creative and still support my favorite charity, and downtown businesses, and my neighbors, and bring joy to people, that is really important to me."