Clarification appended.
Passion Work Studios featured its art during the 2021 Parade in Place on May 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Zenner House, 30 Utah Place.
The outdoor event was socially distanced, and unvaccinated guests were strongly encouraged to wear masks, according to a press release. Patty Mitchell, executive director of Passion Works studio, said the idea for the Parade in Place originally came from plans to do a garden party with the Passion Works puppets.
“Then the pandemic hit, and we're not a group that says, ‘No, well, I guess we're not doing that.’ It was just, ‘How are we going to be different?’” Mitchell said. “Instead of inviting people to the garden party, we decided we could invite the whole community if the puppets were stationary, and the community drove by and saw the celebration of all of it.”
Mitchell said at last year’s event, over 1,000 people drove through to observe the large puppets and other artworks displayed.
“We had giant bubbles, treats and photos taken of people driving through,” Mitchell said. “It was super fun and we thought, ‘Well, let’s do it again.’”
Mitchell said in terms of COVID-19 precautions, it continued to stay conscious of the guidelines.
“We’ll respond within those guidelines to create the largest spectacle and to have these memories during this shared experience of the pandemic,” Mitchell said. “We take that responsibility fully, to bring joy to as many people as we can.”
Mitchell said the puppets featured in the parade were a variety of different sizes, ranging from 12 feet to a costume worn by participants, and the materials are all locally sourced from Athens.
“We really focused on upcycling materials,” Mitchell said. “All the imagery is from the core artists at Passion Works. And then we upcycle the fabric, and the puppets are made out of upcycled materials. That’s our thing: trash to treasure.”
Lea Neal, director of facilities at the Zenner House, said the venue has been a hub for non-profit organizations, including Passion Works. Neal said it has worked with non-profits such as Planned Parenthood, Habitat for Humanity, the Athens Humane Society and many others.
“We’ve raised almost $1.5 million for the benefit of those partners,” Neal said.
Originally built in 1929, Neal said the Zenner House has gone through many different owners and was recently refurbished by Jeffery Chaddock, the current guardian of the house and a former Ohio University student. Neal said it also does weddings and other for-profit work but only gives non-profit organizations the chance to use the space for free.
“The facility in itself is very magical and special,” Neal said. “I think a lot of neighbors want to be involved and think that what we’re doing is really great. I think it’s just a really beautiful home historically … Jeff, when he was younger and going to OU, he always used to drive by this house and say that he was going to buy it.”
Chaddock said he makes an annual commitment to partner with Passion Works and spoke highly of the organization.
“They accomplish an extraordinary level of programming and education and constant support for disabled individuals,” Chaddock said. “It’s kind of an underserved, underdeveloped — in terms of giving and charitable organizations. They do an awful lot for a little bit of money.”
Chaddock said being from Appalachia, supporting non-profits is his way of giving back to the area he’s taken from.
“It’s easy to write a check,” Chaddock said. “It’s a simple thing to donate money, but it’s another to try to raise or to put your time and resources, like the Zenner House, into giving back. It’s just part of the overall plan to give back to the areas, which I’ve taken a great deal from in my life.”
Chaddock said Passion Works aims to raise $50,000 through donations, half of which will be endowed to the Foundation of Appalachia. He will also be donating the Zenner House to the foundation in the future.
The house was bought with the intention of helping non-profit organizations in southeastern Ohio, Chaddock said, and his own philanthropic endeavors began with a scholarship fund he started at 21 years old.
“Last year, it (the parade) was a highlight for so many people during COVID,” Chaddock said. “It really is something different … and this is a huge way for the community to witness something positive.”
Clarification: A previous version of this article framed this event as if it had yet to happen. The article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information.
