Hopewell-based illustrator and children’s book author Barbara DiLorenzo will return as one of dozens of talented artist carvers at the Hopewell Valley Arts Council’s Amazing Pumpkin Carve. In its fourth year, the Amazing Pumpkin Carve is a must-not-miss, art-filled weekend of fall fun in the heart of the Hopewell Valley. The Amazing Pumpkin Carve will be held from Wednesday, October 10 through Sunday, October 14, 2018 at Woolsey Park in Titusville.
DiLorenzo is the author and illustrator of Renato the Lion, published by Viking/Penguin Random House, chosen as a Junior Library Guild Selection, and Quincy, published by Little Bee Books. She is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, and studied painting at the Arts Students League of New York.
“I’ve been carving mostly in clay since I was a child,” DiLorenzo said, “But over the years I took advantage of other mediums and opportunities, such as melting metals to create jewelry, or working in plaster. Although my professional expertise is in the two-dimensional realm (painting and illustration), my love of the three-dimensional form keeps me coming back to carving over and over.”
DiLorenzo will come back to carving pumpkins this year, after her first try at the carving competition during the Amazing Pumpkin Carve last year. She experienced some challenges completing her fantastic final work of art, a gorgeous detailed octopus, including juggling work schedule and mothering her then six-month old daughter. This year, DiLorenzo has some tricks up her sleeve.
Close-up of DiLorenzo’s amazing pumpkin, 2017.
“The truth is I have to put in a lot of time sketching before ideas come my way. The progression of a fully realized idea can take months or years of noodling around, sketching, playing with form and concepts. Nothing is easy! But when the idea behind a piece emerges solidly, it’s worth the energy,” she shared. “That said, this year’s pumpkin is still on my mind. I’ve had a few ideas, but I need to test them out in a clay prototype to make sure it will work.”
At the 2018 Amazing Pumpkin Carve, visitors of all ages will be wowed by massive 150-pound sculptures carved by local artists. New this year: the artists have access to electricity. With cool lighting and motion opportunities now added to their creations, this year’s pumpkin carve is going to be electrifying!
“Carving pumpkins was always a really fun tradition when I was a child. The holiday itself is amazing for a young person – candy, dressing-up, pumpkins and spooky things! What’s not to love? As a carver, I want to bring an element of magic into the lives of other young people, and the young at heart!” said DiLorenzo.
The Amazing Pumpkin Carve is much more than a jaw-dropping display of artistic talent etched in enormous pumpkins. Activities and special events will include food trucks, evening storytelling around fire pits with s’mores kits, paint-a-pumpkin craft tent, fun photo ops, a humongous hay bale playground, pumpkins for sale at the pumpkin patch, and more! Special events throughout the weekend include dance performances by The Pennington Studio for Dance and Creative Arts, a pet costume contest, and an ever-popular cornhole tournament.
The Fourth Amazing Pumpkin Carve is open for five days only: Wed.-Sun., October 10-14 at Woolsey Park, 221 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, NJ. Courtyard entry: Adults, $10; Seniors, $8; Ages 11-18, $5; Ages 10 and under, FREE. Rain or shine! Hours and activities vary, so please check out the HV Arts Council’s website for full details:www.hvartscouncil.org.
This event is hosted by the Hopewell Valley Arts Council. Ticket proceeds benefit the HV Arts Council, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and go toward artist-carvers’ honoraria and to fund other arts-related programs of the Hopewell Valley Arts Council.
“I love being connected to an artistic community,” DiLorenzo said. “It feels like my tribe of folks that understand my quirks and ways of thinking without having to explain myself. Living in Hopewell, I’m so happy to be a part of HV Arts. I also teach at the Arts Council of Princeton, but Hopewell is home.”
