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Pumpkin: A Halloween Carving Experience
About the Class
Legend has it that Stingy Jack tricked one too many demons and was denied entry to both heaven and hell. Condemned to wander the afterlife, he carried only a glowing gourd to light his way. On October 31st, when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, you can help light Jack’s path.
Pumpkin carving is a fun family activity and a chance for personal expression. Once a year, you have the opportunity to create a short-lived work of art. In the art world, this is called an installation. Your unique piece will not only guide Jack, but also greet the ghosts, monsters, and trick-or-treaters that visit your porch on All Hallows’ Eve.
Local instructor Eric Muensterman, who has been carving for over 38 years, will demonstrate his signature “skinning” technique, an approach that lets you carve intricate scenes into your pumpkin, far beyond the traditional face. Carve with a master, and learn the skills to create artistic pumpkins on your own for many years to come!
“Community Workshop Update”
Registration will include a demonstration, and use of tools for the duration of the event. Families are welcome to sign up together, and will receive access to ONE set of tools to share. Registration will close when we reach capacity.
Bring Your Own Pumpkin(PYOP)!
To save time, please bring a cleaned pumpkin with you. For carving, we recommend you choose a medium to large, round pumpkin (ideally 12-20 pounds) with smooth skin, a sturdy stem, and a flat bottom for stability. You can test the thickness by knocking on it, a hollow sound indicates a thinner wall, making it easier to cut and scoop out.”
We encourage you to bring your carving idea to this workshop with you. The instructor will provide some carving templates, and pumpkin lights will also be available for sale at an additional cost.
We can’t wait to share this spooky, art-filled night with you!
This class requires hand dexterity to maneuver a cutting tool. Participants should have strong enough motor skills to feel comfortable using a sharp blade safely.
Location
About your Instructor
Eric Muensterman
Eric Muensterman is a Northern California–based carving artist, printmaker, and educator whose creative roots run deep in family tradition. Raised in Santa Rosa, he grew up surrounded by craftsmanship—his mother, a fashion designer and award-winning quilter, and his father, a master woodworker—both of whom shaped his early passion for making.
Eric studied photojournalism at Santa Rosa Junior College and later worked with outdoor brands like CamelBak and The North Face. During his time at SRJC, he began taking printmaking classes and furthered his skills through coursework at the California College of the Arts (CCAC), focusing specifically on print-based processes. He has also studied alternative printmaking with Dan Welden, learning the solar plate technique, and with Kerik Kouklis, focusing on palladium printing.
In 2023, Eric founded Redfish Prints, a creative studio offering private classes in both pumpkin carving and printmaking. His work is rooted in experimentation, process, and the joy of transforming unexpected materials—like recycled packaging or seasonal gourds—into art. Whether printing with tetra packs or carving pumpkins, Eric blends technique and playfulness in a way that’s uniquely his own.
Eric is a teaching artist at Nimbus Arts and Guild Napa, where he encourages students of all ages and experience levels to embrace process-driven exploration. “I believe you can never learn too much,” he says. “I always encourage my students to take more classes from people who inspire them—it will make your journey on this artistic road more fulfilling.”
https://www.redfishprints.com/
Date & TIme
October 27, 2025 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Experience Level
BeginningAges
Adults and Teens 14+
Family pairs are welcome. One pair will share a pumpkin.
Kids under 16 must attend with an adult.
1 Registration = 1 set of tools to carve pumpkins
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
