Every autumn, Marbleheaders and beyond eagerly await the return of a local tradition, the annual Halloween sculpture by Thomas Saltsman.
This year, a very fitting hermit crab will grace the yard of 32 Pleasant St.
Since 2009, Saltsman has transformed his home into a public art spectacle. What began as a small creative project has evolved into one of the area’s most beloved seasonal highlights.
Each year, Saltsman begins planning his Halloween sculpture in August, sketching and refining ideas before construction kicks off in September.
“It eats up the whole fall,” he explained, laughing. “I’m in construction, so I’m always finding materials from salvage and figuring out how to make things work.”
This year’s piece, he noted, has been especially “mechanical and technical,” pushing him to overcome new creative and engineering hurdles.
While he wouldn’t give away every detail, Saltsman hinted that the sculpture draws inspiration from the coastal setting and the sense of wonder it can spark in children.
“I was thinking about kids and how important it is for them to see things that are wonderful, magical, and positive,” he said. “It’s something most kids recognize from being near the coast, but this time it’s on an incredibly large scale.”
This marks Saltsman’s 11th year creating Halloween sculptures, though he noted that “it’s been about 10 years since people really started noticing what I was doing.”
Over that time, he’s built an eclectic collection of large-scale installations — from ships and trolls to immersive interiors. When asked which was his favorite, Saltsman found it hard to choose.
“That’s like asking an artist what their favorite painting is,” he said. “Some surprise you in better ways than others. The troll, for example — I had this vision for the forest and the creature, and I was really pleasantly surprised by how it came together.”
For Saltsman, the greatest joy comes not just from the creative process but from how people respond.
“The kids get it more than the adults,” he said. “Some people aren’t sure what I’m making, but the kids always seem to figure it out first.”
Though some previous sculptures have allowed visitors to walk through his house for a more immersive experience, this year’s piece will once again be viewed from the street.
“It’s similar to last year,” he noted. “The weather doesn’t look great, but everything should be up and operational by Halloween — and it usually stays up for a couple weeks after.”
Despite the praise and attention, Saltsman insists that his creations are a personal artistic outlet first and foremost.
“I don’t do it for the feedback, though that’s wonderful,” he said. “It’s about my own creative exploration, taking an idea from a sketch and bringing it to life. I’m lucky to have the resources and the ability to make it happen.”
And make it happen he does, year after year, turning 32 Pleasant St. into a beacon of community spirit and creative inspiration. As Saltsman puts the finishing touches on this year’s sculpture, one thing is certain: His passion for wonder and imagination continues to light up Halloween for everyone who stops by.
Here is a lost of all of Saltsman’s creations since 2009:
- 2025 Hermit Crab
- 2024 future
- 2023 troll
- 2022 Egypt
- 2021 walking man
- 2020 King Kong
- 2019 ghost ship
- 2018 dragon
- 2017 spaceship
- 2016 80’s horror
- 2015 creepy circus
- 2014 hooper circus
- 2013 hooper misc
- 2012 Tom Hooper
- 2009 Gerry Potter