Little House of Horrors

Born from a lifelong passion for Halloween and horror, “Little House of Horrors” is an immersive, annual installation that blends artistry, atmosphere, community, and a reverence for the season's macabre and magical spirit.

Deeply immersed in the world of horror, I’m drawn to the genre for its ability to explore the unknown, the unseen, and the liminal. Horror offers a window into the rawest, most vulnerable parts of being human. In my work, I welcome the darkness so that I can find what I feel, give it a face, and offer viewers a safe vantage point where fear can be examined, felt, and understood.

While the installation as a whole is fueled by my lifelong passion for Halloween and horror, the pieces themselves emerge from the shadows - both my own, and those lingering at the threshold between worlds, where the veil is thin. Using found, recycled, and repurposed materials, I call forth my emotional being, turn the things I feel into larger-than-life creatures, and give them a home where they can be witnessed. I translate internal experiences, like the feeling of being trapped and fighting to break free, into something real. Visual. Understandable.

For all it’s darkness, the installation, and every piece within it, is created with an intentional balance of horror and play - a deliberate dichotomy to create space for the magic and wonder of Halloween night, when the installation becomes a community gathering complete with a fire pit, s'mores, and full-size candy bars. My home isn’t just a quick stop along the trick-or-treating route - it’s an invitation. I want people to feel like they’re part of something. I want children to discover the magic of a crisp October night, and I want adults to remember what that magic feels like. By balancing horror with play, I transform my shadows and my joy into an immersive, shared experience of wonder and collective nostalgia for everyone who crosses my threshold.

Ariela’s installation was featured on the October 2026 cover of Living Kingston Magazine.