Pet Memorial Statue Workshop

September 19th/20th 9am

Because our furry family members deserve to be remembered.

Every great story has a beginning, and this one starts with Hal, the official Halloween Cat of Davis Graveyard.

For nearly 15 years, Hal greeted guests, supervised every build (whether we asked him to or not), and somehow managed to find the warmest spot in the workshop while the rest of us worked. When Hal passed away, we knew a simple photograph wasn’t enough. He had earned a permanent place in the graveyard he helped build.

So we did what we do best.

We transformed a toy store cat into a lasting memorial using Monster Mud, a handcrafted base, a custom-carved plaque, careful paintwork, and a pair of glowing eyes that still watch over the cemetery each October.

Later came a regal tribute to Queen Elizabeth II in the form of a corgi statue, and before long people began asking if they could learn to create memorials for their own beloved companions.

Now we’re opening the workshop so you can.

Whether you want to create a heartfelt tribute to a cherished pet, a whimsical Halloween companion, or a spooky guardian for your own cemetery display, this class will guide you through the entire process.

In This Workshop You’ll Learn

• Preparing a plush animal for sculpting
• Applying Monster Mud
• Creating realistic textures
• Painting and weathering techniques
• Building a display base
• Hand-carving a custom memorial plaque
• Adding those finishing touches that bring your statue to life (including our favorite glow-in-the-dark eyes!)

What to Bring

• A stuffed animal approximately 16″ x 16″
  (Larger plush animals can be accommodated for an additional materials fee.)
• The wording you’d like on your memorial plaque—you’ll carve it yourself!

What’s Included

• Two days of hands-on instruction (Sat day to build 2-hour, Sun to paint 2 hours)
• All Monster Mud and sculpting materials
• Base construction materials
• Plaque materials
• Paints and finishing supplies
• Step-by-step instruction from the Davis Graveyard crew

No sculpting experience is necessary—just bring your imagination and a favorite plush companion.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind memorial that can be heartfelt, humorous, spooky, or all three. It’s a lasting tribute made with your own hands and a wonderful way to celebrate the pets who have left paw prints on our hearts.

After all, every good graveyard should have a few loyal companions watching over it.