The Pumpkin Judgment: Cannibal pumpkin wins best in show

The stakes were high. Students, staff and various artists passed through the Quad Friday, where they were presented with an opportunity: out-carve your fellow pumpkin designers to claim victory on a variety prizes.

Francis Fox, a sculpture professor at Boise State is the staff advisor for the student Boise Sculptors Guild.

“We wanted to raise some money for the group, and we thought the pumpkin was an appropriate venue for sculptures. A local farmer donated all the pumpkins to us, nearly an entire patch. It was incredibly generous,” Fox said.

Fox competed in the contest. He won the “Artistic award” with his surface engraved “spider-and-web” design. Kristi Marshall, an Art Metals student, took the “Academic prize” with her carved interpretation of “Where the Wild Things Are.”

ZACH GANSCHOW/THE ARBITER Kristi Marshall, an Art Metals student, holds her vegetable interpretation of a classic children’s book

Marshall stated, “it was a childhood story I have always though about, so I felt compelled to re-create it.”

The bells tolled, bringing the 4 p.m. judgment upon the Quad. The pumpkins were briskly removed from safe haven upon a sheltered table, and lined up, one by one, for the critical public to gaze upon their designs.

Marty Schimpf, the Dean of arts and sciences marched through the crowd, his black coat of the finest wool whipped behind him. The deliberations began. Schimpf brandished a notebook in his hand and a mystery guest judge named “Linda” by his side. The competition was fierce, and after 20 minutes of analysis, the victors were announced.

ZACH GANSCHOW/THE ARBITER Marty Schimpf, Dean of the college of Arts and Sciences, stands firm ground on the Quad and his decisions made at Fridays fundraiser

The highest quality of “Post-it” notes were used as ribbons atop the winning pumpkins. In the end, Cami Ruh Clemo, a BFA student in ceramics took the “Best in Show prize” with her cannibal pumpkin.

“My father had a pattern that he cut out from a cigarette ad and used on our pumkins year after year. That face was the source of inspiration for my shish-kabob design,” Clemo said.

Gwen Downs took the “Gory award” with her piece “Blood and Guts.” Her pumpkin took an application of red coloring for blood, and a salvaging of innards to carefully have them spill out of the face orifice. Downs claimed that “it was worth it.”

The Guild holds its biggest event in the spring with an iron pour at the Visual Arts Collective.

“It’s better than a rave,” said Victoria Wood, a BFA sculpture student. “It’s so exciting being around the hot iron as it pours.”

ZACH GANSCHOW/THE ARBITER

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