Architect dad builds incredible Halloween installations every year in his garden
A man creates impressive Halloween installations with love and creativity.
For the past eight years, Tom Saltsman has been transforming his front yard in Marblehead, Massachusetts, into a spooky spectacle, captivating his community with his giant Halloween-themed sculptures. From an enormous dragon on his roof to a moving rendition of King Kong and a 22-foot-high Egyptian god, Tom's installations have become a local legend in Marblehead.
Tom, who works as an architect, dedicates up to two months every year to preparing these installations, often with the help of friends and family. His wife, Brooke Saltsman, and three friends assisted him in painting hieroglyphics on the Egyptian god sculpture he built in 2022.
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Despite the attention his creations receive, Tom remains humble, viewing his work as a fun outlet for artistic expression and a way to bring joy to his community. Using materials like plywood, bin bags, and various types of foam, Tom keeps his costs low, spending less than £165 ($200) on each installation.
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His pieces are not just displays but immersive experiences, designed to look like they magically appeared in his yard, adding to the wonder and excitement of the Halloween season. For Tom, the installations are more about connecting with his community and providing a source of enjoyment for others.
He said: "It's just kind of a fun outlet for artistic purposes. It's mainly for the community to come and enjoy it. I appreciate the curiosity. People really get a kick out of it. I've got very patient neighbours.
"For the installations, there's always a portion that has to do with things that just appear. it's not a playset. it needs to look like it just appeared. The dragon looked like it just landed on my house, the spaceship too."
Tom's daughter, Parker Saltsman, has grown up surrounded by her father's elaborate creations, becoming accustomed to the recognition they bring. She said: "I'm definitely known for my dad's sculptures.
"I feel like I'm desensitised to it now. It started when I was born. He used to make these really elaborate cakes for my birthday so I actually wasn't surprised [by the sculptures]"