APLA Annual Pumpkin Carving Competition

Pumpkin Carve began as a studio project over thirty years ago and has now turned into one of the most celebrated events within the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture here at Auburn University. The event is one of the largest fundraisers for the year for the Auburn American Institute of Architecture Students, enabling the organization to provide other activities for the architecture students and for the community.

On the day of the event, the AIAS invites all students within the University as well as alumni and community members of all ages to gather in the courtyard of Dudley Hall. Attendees are able to carve pumpkins, eat, play games, and bid on napkin sketch artwork from faculty and alumni. Judges, invited from the local community and the college, select the best pumpkins and award prizes donated by local businesses.

Every year pumpkins typically sell out, between 350-500 pumpkins in total. In 2018 dozens of Auburn Architecture alums donated napkin sketches to be auctioned off in our silent auction. A dozen or more local businesses contribute to the event by selling food or donating prizes for random drawings throughout the day.

Pumpkin Carve is a much anticipated and enjoyed event by the students, the faculty, and the community.