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First-Annual Studio Coordinator Pumpkin Contest!

Studio Coordinators and Pumpkins!

The First-Annual Studio-Coordinator Pumpkin-Carving Contest! Kudos to newcomer, wood studio coordinator Kylie Little for coaxing these busy folks into a great time! The winner was Nadia Massoud, metals studio coordinator! Her entry was inspired by a conversation with print and letterpress studio coordinator Adam Leestma about prong jewelry settings (in response to last weekend’s workshop). The winning pumpkin features a diamond in a skeletal “gem finger” setting. PRONGS = GEM FINGERS!


Honorable mention went to clay studio coordinator, Susan Feagin, whose geometrically-carved pumpkin was an homage to Matt Repsher, a recent Penland Resident Artist. The judges admired the structural soundness of her extensively-carved pumpkin!


Tapped from Penland staff, judges included front office administrator Josie Davis and bookkeeper Donnie Roberts, who brought considerable gravitas to the task. Closing the doors to the Northlight pedestal closet, they considered the  “substance of the squash” and “gestalt of the gourd” in reverent whispers.

Each pumpkin was special in its own way! Wood coordinator Kylie Little used a dremel to create a “maple-like” surface design on her pumpkin. Print and letterpress studio coordinator Adam Leestma created a pumpkin with “boo” rendered as letterpress type, spelled backward, of course. Iron studio coordinator Daniel Beck created a “punk-kin” with black Krylon spray paint. Textiles studio coordinator Danielle Lasker created a poppet-inspired entry, filled with creepy pins and complete with a stitched-up smile. Excused from participation were glass studio coordinator Nick Fruin and book studio coordinator Beth Lacourt who had important life stuff, but also love pumpkins.


The winner took home a very classy Penland MiiR Typography Tumbler and a gift certificate. Of course, bragging rights are the real prize. Congratulations to all and Happy Halloween!