Pumpkins created by BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX degree students are on display at a leading Teesside museum as part of its Autumn-themed event.

The students’ realistic creations are being featured in the Victorian street in Preston Park Museum as part of a programme of activities for visitors in the run up to Halloween.

Indistinguishable from the real thing, the students’ pumpkins have been created using papier-mâché making them a sustainable decoration that can be reused in the future.

Each pumpkin design reflects a favourite children’s character of the student that created it. Notes explaining their inspiration will be displayed beside the models for visitors to read.

Second year undergraduate model maker Connor Thompson, originally from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, specialises in sculpting and mask making and said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Preston Park Museum in making the pumpkins. What I am learning from my course is that the more time and effort I put into my projects the more I can develop my creative, practical and problem-solving skills and the end results of this project proved that.”

Connor explained: “My main goal was to make environmentally friendly reusable pumpkins and I did this by using recycled paper to make paper clay that I then used to sculpt the pumpkins.

“Through this prosses I ended up doing two custom painted pumpkins inspired by realism and two handmade paper clay pumpkins that were inspired by elements of old fashioned animated films such as Snow White’s poisoned apple and Casper the Friendly Ghost.

“I am happy with the end results of my pumpkins and knowing that this little project will be shown to many people and hopefully bring them joy.”

Chris Young, Exhibitions and Interpretation Officer at Preston Park Museum is delighted with the pumpkin models.

He said: “Working with the model making and visual effects department at The Northern School of Art is great. It has always been a valuable relationship to collaborate on some of the work we do at Preston Park Museum and Grounds.

“It is brilliant to be able to utilise such talented students and staff to enhance and enrich our displays and exhibitions and it gives the School the opportunity to showcase the amazing work they do!”

Photos of other students’ pumpkins in progress are below:

Preston Park’s pumpkin-themed fun is on every day until Sunday 5 November. For further information about getting there and opening times visit www.prestonparkmuseum.co.uk

Details of The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Model Making & Visual FX degree course are HERE