New Bedford’s ‘Terrifying’ Free Santa Photo Op This Saturday

NEW BEDFORD (WBSM) — A different kind of Santa photo op is happening in New Bedford this Saturday, as Art the Clown from the smash hit film Terrifier 3 will be appearing at The Horror Family, LLC to take free photos with fans.

Can you imagine a better Christmas card photo to send your loved ones than you standing next to the Miles County Clown, who is also dressed as Santa?

Grandma's going to let out a shriek when she opens that envelope.

Despite being a Christmas-themed gorefest that would make even the most ardent slasher film fans squeamish, Terrifier 3 became the highest-grossing unrated film of all time this fall, raking in over $55 million worldwide. Art the Clown has joined the ranks of the all-time great horror movie characters, up there with Freddy Krueger, Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers.

Now, he’s descending upon New Bedford’s downtown horror store on South Sixth Street to spread a little holiday fear – err, cheer.

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The (Changed) Man Behind the Mask

Art is portrayed in the Terrifier franchise by actor David Howard Thornton, but has become a favorite character for horror cosplayers around the world. One of those cosplayers is Fall River’s Jeremy Atkinson, who portrays Art and other horror characters through his Horrorfreak Cosplay endeavor.

He’s been dressing up as Freddy, and a particular favorite here in Massachusetts is our hometown horror icon John Carver, the antagonist in Eli Roth’s slasher Thanksgiving.

Atkinson’s cosplay, however, is not just about dressing up as his favorite characters; it means something much more, because it’s a tribute to someone he’s lost.

“Growing up, as a teen I got into the street life and last year, sadly, it took my brother’s life, who was 23, to gun violence,” Atkinson said. He noted that Diamonte Odom was not his actual blood relative, but the bond they shared made them brothers in their eyes.

As someone who had always been a fan of horror and had attended shows and conventions, Atkinson saw cosplay as a way to help him shed his former identity and find a way to decide who he was going to be going forward. It was his solace, his therapy and his inspiration to better himself all wrapped up in the chance to be someone else, even if just for a little while.

“Since my brother passed away, I’ve just been focusing on finding ways to cope with the loss, and I see the enjoyment on people's faces when I dress up,” he said. “My brother loved horror and always said I'd go somewhere with cosplaying, and I do this in his name because I know he believed in me and I have to make him proud.”

Atkinson also has a two-year-old son, another reason he chose to leave the lifestyle he was living behind. He now earns a living as a machinist for Johnson & Johnson, making prosthetic kneecaps for patients.

“I’m trying to turn my life around and leave a legacy my son can be proud of, because the gang life and the streets are not a place I want my son to be in, so I had to step up and be the role model he needs,” Atkinson said.

He is also hoping that his cosplay – which he has spent countless hours and significant dollars on – will also inspire others to follow their dreams.

“I just want to make a difference,” Atkinson said. “My brother's murder made me realize how short life is, and I just want to do the right thing.”

The Difference Is Already Being Felt in the Cosplay World

The local cosplay community is pretty tight-knit, and Atkinson stands out as someone who is a first-rate cosplayer and a first-rate person.

“He always goes beyond and his dedication to the characters is just unreal,” said fellow cosplayer Hillary Chandanais, "The Cardboard Gremlin," who called Atkinson her “cosplay bestie.”

“He’s there for the community and is always a message away when you need to chat," she said. "I can’t say enough nice things about the guy.”

“Jeremy is not only an incredible person, but he takes the art of cosplay to the next level,” said fellow cosplayer Beckie Forcier, a.k.a. “Bombshell Beckie.”

“He spends countless amounts of time studying and perfecting his craft that by the time his costume is complete, he not only puts on the costume, he embodies the character completely,” she said. “He is a true artist and I cannot wait to see what he does next.”

A New Life, A New Mask

On Saturday, Atkinson will be at The Horror Family, LLC from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will be debuting his newest Art the Clown mask, which he said is an upgrade over the previous one that already had Art fans lining up for pics when he was at Rhode Island Comic Con last month.

Anyone who stops by the store Saturday can take as many free photos with him dressed as Santa Art as they wish, in all the different poses they can imagine.

He’s also encouraging people to come dressed up as well, and he says the more people in the photo, the merrier.

READ MORE: New Bedford Horror Store Expanding

After his appearance at The Horror Family wraps up, Atkinson is heading over to Whalers Inn & Suites for MonstahMag’s Maker’s Market, where he will be walking around while still in costume.

No matter where you catch him on Saturday, Jeremy Atkinson promises one thing.

“Expect to have a bloody good time,” he said.