Yearly pencil sharpening ritual in a Minneapolis neighborhood
In a quirky Minneapolis neighborhood, a 20-foot-tall No. 2 pencil turns a storm-damaged oak tree into a vibrant community celebration.
Each year, John and Amy Higgins' picturesque front yard, neighboring Lake of the Isles, is the setting for a unique ritual. It's none other than the sharpening of a massive pencil sculpture, affectionately known as the LOTI (Lake of the Isles) Pencil. Crafted by wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad, this whimsical art installation stands tall as a testament to creativity and resilience.
The LOTI Pencil was born from necessity and imagination after a significant storm in 2022 left the family's oak tree in tatters. Rather than cut down the damaged tree, the Higgins and their community saw an opportunity to give it new life as a public art piece. Given the tree's unique shape and size, the idea of crafting a giant No. 2 pencil emerged, transforming a symbol of loss into an icon of quirkiness[3][4].
Every year, a wooden pencil sharpener — also designed by Ingvoldstad — is hoisted up, restoring the pencil's tip to its original point. This process echoes the everyday action of sharpening, elevating it to a spectacle, and symbolizing renewal, communal care, and the passage of time[2][3]. The annual loss of a bit of the pencil’s length is seen as a "sacrifice," marking another year gone by and the need for continual use and maintenance[2].
The event has flourished into a major neighborhood attraction, drawing crowds of over a thousand and featuring live music (such as performances by the University of Minnesota Pep Band and Swiss alphorn players), dancing, and themed costumes[1][3][4]. Embracing local culture, the celebration has paid tribute to the late music superstar Prince by handing out purple commemorative pencils[2][3].
The LOTI Pencil event cultivates a sense of togetherness and creativity, attracting families, artists, and curious passersby alike[4][5]. This quirky Minneapolis tradition underscores the power of public art to unite communities and turn personal loss into communal joy. By reimagining a fallen oak as a beloved monument, the Higgins and their collaborators have crafted an enduring tradition that celebrates the city's spirit, creativity, and resilience[3][5].
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In Seattle, the Higgins family might recreate a similar communal event, transforming their home-and-garden into a vibrant corner of the city, just as they did with the Lake of the Isles Pencil in Minneapolis. The lifestyle in Seattle, with its unique mix of creativity and resilience, would undoubtedly embrace such a quirky home-and-garden art installation inspired by the LOTI Pencil.
Artists and passionate community members of Seattle might gather around the Higgins' home each year, sharpening a giant wooden pencil, breathing life into a new neighborhood tradition. The Seattle Pencil, like its Minneapolis counterpart, could become iconic, embodying the spirit and creativity of the city while fostering a sense of togetherness.
