Children’s Pumpkin Painting Contest at TAC

Inspired by the artist Yayoi Kusama and her painted pumpkins, the Tioga Arts Council (TAC) will be hosting a Children’s Pumpkin Painting Contest this October. 

There will be five age categories and the winner in each category will receive a small prize. 

Here’s how it works: get a pumpkin and paint it any way you want. (It can mimic a famous artist, like Kusama or Van Gogh. It can have a face, a pattern, or be abstract.) 

Fifty free pumpkins will be available for pick-up at Tioga Arts Council, 179 Front St. in Owego, beginning on Oct. 3 at 11 a.m. First-come, first-served; limit of one pumpkin per family.

Once you complete your painted pumpkin, drop it off at TAC by Friday, Oct. 23 at 3:30 p.m.

Volunteer jurors will select the winner in each age group. The age groups are: 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17.

Each winner will receive a free cookie decorating kit, courtesy of C&M Sweets in Owego, N.Y. TAC will display the pumpkins outside in the Owego Village Courthouse Square for residents and families to enjoy between Oct. 24 through Oct. 31. 

There is no fee to enter, but donations are appreciated. Note: Artist and adults are also welcome to paint pumpkins, too, but prizes are reserved for youth participants.

If you have any questions, e-mail Christina Di Stefano at tiogaartscouncil@gmail.com.