Jenny Rhoads
CIRCLEVILLE – For many years, the Pumpkin Show Souvenir Committee has released a souvenir pin to commemorate the year. In the last three years, the committee has called upon the talents of local artists to design these pins.
“We used to rely on the pin manufacturer to create a design,” said Barry Keller, vice president of The Circleville Pumpkin Show Inc. and trustee of the Souvenir Committee. “In 2013, we switched manufacturers and decided to ask local artists for potential designs.”
Pins of the past have included Circleville landmarks such as the the Pickaway County Courthouse and the Ferris wheel. This year’s design, created by local artist Steve Spicer, is a wagon full of pumpkins with the city hall building in the background.
Spicer, a Circleville native and Circleville High School graduate, describes himself as a print maker. For several years, Spicer has been a member of the Pumpkin Show Craft Committee in addition to partaking in all types of handmade crafts. From basket weaving to rebuilding a chicken coop, Spicer is a Jack of all trades when it comes to craftsmanship and use of various art mediums.
Spicer said his earliest memory of being an artist was in the first grade when he created a picture of a Pumpkin Show parade. The picture was entered into the county fair art competition by his mother, who saw promise in him at an early age.
Inspiration for the 2015 pin design, he said, came from a wagon at Renick’s Farm Market on U.S. Route 23 that Spicer photographed and sketched.
Spicer said the design, which he created last year, was not originally intended to become a pin, but after speaking with Keller about the need for designs, he decided to adapt it for that use.
Past local pin designers include Kendall Adkins in 2013 and Katie Ankrom in 2014.
Keller said the Souvenir Committee hopes to continue this tradition of recognizing local artists and graphic artists for future designs.
“We really hope that design submissions gain popularity,” Keller said. “We would love to have lots of designs to choose from for next year.”
Artists looking to submit their designs for next year’s souvenir pin should contact Keller via the Pumpkin Show website.
The 2015 pin will be available for purchase at the official Pumpkin Show souvenir booth during the Show.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
