Third Graders Swap Traditional Jack-O-Lanterns for Contemporary Pumpkin Art

Third graders in Christine Walker’s class are getting in the fall spirit—with a contemporary twist! 

Channeling the spirit of renowned Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, third-grade artists transform ordinary pumpkins into polka-dotted masterpieces. 

After reading Yayoi Kusama: From Here to Infinity! by Sarah Suzuki, students learned more about the artist’s style and how influential her work has been all over the world. With her unique style of creating paintings, sculptures, and other artwork out of dots, Kusama (who is sometimes called “the princess of polka dots''!) has also created thousands of creative pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. The short story and discussions that followed set the foundation for Peck students to create their own dotted pumpkin paintings.

Students were given India Ink, liquid watercolors, and the freedom to let their imaginations run as they brought their pumpkins to life on paper. This artistic endeavor not only celebrates the season but also introduces young minds to the world of contemporary art in a fun and engaging way.

“Third grade enjoyed learning about the life and art of Yayoi Kusama. As a class, we discussed how artists develop an artistic style and often explore one subject in different ways. Students were excited about this project and worked hard during each stage of the process. The resulting pieces are well-crafted and vibrant!” said Walker.