A Halloween Tradition Continues

If it’s late October on the University of West Georgia campus it’s time for pumpkins, candy, games and hot iron.

Carve on the Quad, Safe Treat and the Iron Pour are back this Thursday.

The three events are becoming a tradition at West Georgia. The gathering each year brings more families to campus for an evening of fun and beauty.

Safe Treat’s roots go back 10 years, when the Association of Residence Hall Councils put together Halloween events for the children of campus personnel, said Dawn Vavrik Palmer, the assistant director for residence life.

The students who run Safe Treat –games, toys, prizes and candy – are from the residence hall councils, fraternities and sororities. About one-third of the student organizations also participate.

“Last year we lost count of the number of kids. We had glow bracelets [for the children] and we ran out,” Palmer said.

While Safe Treat was growing, the carving of pumpkins by West Georgia art students was in its infancy.

That tradition started as an extra credit class art project in 2005, said Clint Samples, assistant art professor and foundations coordinator.

“I wanted them to get to know each other as group,” Samples said.

Nine students participated and the pumpkins were put on display in Adamson Square as part of a Tiny Tots Halloween event. The following year, 20 students took part.

In 2007 the art students carved 50 pumpkins on the Square. Restaurants donated gift certificates and students were awarded art supplies, Samples said.

The pumpkins were painted, embellished and carved.

“Those got a lot of attention,” Samples said. “There’s nothing better than art majors and pumpkins.”

By 2008 students wanted to take the carving to the campus. The move forged the continuing relationship with Safe Treat. The iron pour, done by sculpture students, was moved to the evening.

Then magic happened.

The molten iron “glows like lava,” Samples said. “It’s a really neat Halloween vibe.”

That first year there were about 185 pumpkins. Last year there were 225 and organizers expect more this year.

“We are looking forward to it,” said Amanda Rockette, president of the Association of Residence Hall Councils.

This year, at least 25 student organizations are participating in Safe Treat. Look for a costume contest, face painting, fishing games and beanbag throwing, among other games.

“We let the organizations decide what to do. The only thing we ask is for no repeats,” said Rockette, 19, a sophomore. “We are very excited.”

The evening provides “children a safe trick-or-treat….You don’t have to go to a stranger’s house.”

Pumpkin carving is from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Awards will be announced at 7 p.m. on the steps of the Humanities building. Students and faculty will do the popular iron pour about 8 p.m.

Bring your own pumpkin and tools if you want to carve. The pumpkin carving and painting contest close Art Incend Week on campus, which features a student art exhibit, ceramics anagama kiln firings, sidewalk chalk drawings and a drawing marathon.

To see previous events:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IrdM6ZAI0M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qay0b_EL00&feature=related

For a list of Art Incend Week events:

http://www.westga.edu/~artdept

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