Gus ‘Squashcarver’ Smithhisler
It all started over 21 years ago in 2001 at the Indiana State Fair Pumpkin Weigh-off. I grew pumpkins for fun and entered them in the competition. After it was over, I thought that all these gigantic pumpkins shouldn’t just go into the compost heap. Someone should carve them! Thus my pumpkin carving career started.
I am a self-taught artist. I enjoyed drawing for fun in high school and college but never had formal training. Art is a passion for me.
About
Columbus Zoo & Aquarium
Franklin Park Conservatory
The Ohio State Fair
Circleville Pumpkin Show
The Bellagio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas
Country Living Fair, Columbus, OH and Atlanta, Ga
Stone Mountain Park, GA
Longwood Gardens, PA
Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago
I appeared on Halloween Wars Season 6 on the Food Network.
Click to see more
I have had the great joy to travel all over the United States to carve pumpkins and share my art. I have been featured at the:
1. I’ve been a volunteer for Smoky Bear at the Ohio State Fair for over 20 years.
2. I am a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and I also love teaching martial arts.
3. I am a Professional Engineer (PE). I got my BS degree in Civil Engineering at THE Ohio State University. Go Bucks!
4. You can see the bridges and trails I have designed/built all around Ohio State Parks. My favorites are the Hocking Hills Hemlock swinging bridge and the Caesar Creek swinging bridge. Click here to see more about bridges
5. I HATE eating squash! Yes, I know the irony. I would much rather carve them.
6. When I’m not busy carving, you can catch me in my garden growing veggies and of course squash (to carve NOT to eat, unless my wife makes me because they are healthy or something 😒)
If you’re dying to hear more, here are six things you might not know about me.
I reside in the Columbus, Ohio area with my wife, twin boys and my ornery orange cat at our peaceful country home.
Where I call home…
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