In Minneapolis, over 1,000 residents assembled on Saturday in a picturesque neighborhood for a unique annual event. The occasion centered around the sharpening of a massive No. 2 pencil, a 20-foot structure sculpted from an oak tree at John and Amy Higgins’ home.
This tree, cherished by the community, suffered storm damage a few years ago, with strong winds tearing off its crown. While neighbors grieved the loss, some even shedding tears, the Higgins family saw an opportunity for renewal. They transformed the tree into a giant No. 2 pencil, turning it into a symbol of rejuvenation rather than defeat.
The Community Event
The lively sharpening ceremony has grown into a beloved local gathering set on the Higgins’ front lawn. It draws hundreds to the area near Lake of the Isles, featuring music and festive costumes. Many participants dress as pencils or erasers, adding to the atmosphere. This year’s event included Swiss alphorn players and a tribute to Minneapolis icon Prince by distributing purple pencils on what would have been his 67th birthday.
Rachel Hyman was among the visitors, traveling from Chicago after learning about the event from a friend. Some man is sharpening a pencil on his lawn and this is what happens? Yeah, I’m gonna be part of it. How can you not? Life is too short,
said Hyman, clad in a pencil costume.
The Origin of the Pencil
After the storm damage, the Higginses wanted to create something recognizable and meaningful from their fallen tree. They decided on a playful piece of pop art, opting for an oversized pencil over typical Northwoods carvings. Given the tree’s size and shape, a pencil seemed fitting. Everybody uses a pencil,
explained Amy Higgins. Everybody knows a pencil. You see it everywhere. It’s just so accessible.
They enlisted wood sculptor Curtis Ingvoldstad to craft the replica of a classic No. 2 pencil. Both Higgins and Ingvoldstad view the pencil as a symbol open to personal interpretation, even if reactions vary. Whatever you want to bring, you know, it’s you at the end of the day,
said Ingvoldstad.
John Higgins explained their goal of fostering community connection through the celebration. We tell a story about the dull tip, and we’re gonna get sharp,
he said, emphasizing renewal and unity. Each year, a custom-made giant pencil sharpener climbs scaffolding for the event, refreshing the pencil’s point.
The Ephemeral Art
Like any real pencil, this sculpture diminishes each year, as 3 to 10 inches are removed annually. The eventual reduction to a stub doesn’t trouble the organizers, who embrace the changes as part of the artwork’s life journey. Ingvoldstad noted the ritual of sacrificing part of the pencil to offer something meaningful to attendees.
Like any ritual, you’ve got to sacrifice something,
he said. We’re sacrificing part of the monumentality of the pencil, offering good will for all that attendees have done this year.
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