2023 Great Pumpkin Tablescape Decorating Event and Silent Auction

Marco Island Center for the Arts is excited to announce its inaugural Great Pumpkin Tablescape Decorating Event and Silent Auction. This unique and festive initiative invites creative individuals, businesses, groups, and organizations to join in spreading holiday cheer by decorating a pumpkin. The event, inspired by the annual Festival of Trees tradition, will support the nonprofit's educational programs for children and adults, as well as its art exhibitions and events.

Charlane King, dedicated Art Center Board Secretary and art supporter, envisioned the pumpkin decorating event and silent auction as a way to bring the community together for a heartwarming celebration that encompasses Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the fall season.

Registration forms will be accepted until 4 PM on September 22, 2023. Participants will deliver the decorated pumpkins on October 9, 2023, to the Art Center. The tablescapes will be on display, and bidding from October 10 to October 25, 2023. The silent auction will conclude at 4PM on October 25, 2023, with winners being notified on October 26, 2023.

Key Details are as follows: 

- Participants can create a tablescape using either one large pumpkin or multiple small pumpkins.

- The height of the pumpkin(s) must not exceed 24 inches.

- Materials for decorating the pumpkin(s) can include resin, plastic, fabric, Styrofoam, vines, wood, paper mâché, clay, or metal. These are intended for indoor decor and can be easily sourced from various retailers, including Amazon and Michaels. (Please note that fresh pumpkins cannot be submitted for the auction.)

- Submissions must be three-dimensional representations, and paintings will not be accepted.

- The artist and Marco Island Center for the Arts will share the proceeds equally, with bids starting at $25.

As spaces are limited, early registration is encouraged. There is no registration fee, and forms can be obtained at the Art Center or downloaded from the official website under Events drop down category at https://www.marcoislandart.org/great-pumpkin-design-and-silent-auction/

This event is a collaborative fundraising effort between decorators and Marco Island Center for the Arts, with each party receiving 50% of the net proceeds. Alternatively, decorators can choose to submit a pumpkin that is not for sale or donate 100% of the proceeds to support the arts in Marco Island.

Join us in making this holiday season even more special by participating in the 2023 Great Pumpkin Tablescape Decorating Event and Silent Auction. Let us come together as a community to celebrate art and the spirit of giving.