Browsed by
Month: February 2017

The Running of the Gourds Festival 2017

The Running of the Gourds Festival 2017

Last week I shared with you the tremendous time I had recently at Wuertz Gourd Farm’s festival in Arizona. I definitely plan on attending each year – not only is it a place for everything gourds but the classes for gourd artists are detailed and challenging with some of the best instructors around. Unfortunately I didn’t realize just how quickly one must sign up for these classes and I missed that aspect this year but I’m determined to be one of the first to register next year.

The Arizona Gourd Society’s Judged Show was part of the festival and it is that which I want to share with you today. These pieces are lovely and unusual and showcase gourd art in the best of ways. Forget thinking of gourds as a quick answer to a birdhouse or a rolling Santa – this is what gourd artistry is all about!

The People’s Choice Award – it gets my vote. Portions look like suede.

 

The fantasy section grabbed my attention and I didn’t want to move on.

 

Gourd masks don’t interest me all that much as a choice for creating but the entries were fascinating.

 

Another fantasy section – look closely and you’ll keep seeing more than you did at first glance.

 

Fiber Arts – weaving plays a large role in gourd art.

 

 

Mixed Media – varying techniques that each take an immense amount of practice and talent make these entries extra impressive.

 

 

On a moving turntable, it was hard to grab a photo of this magnificent work.

 

My first time seeing this technique. I don’t even know what to call it but I’d love to tackle it some day.

 

A mobile or a wind chime? I doubt gourd seeds rattle enough for a wind chime but that was my first thought while viewing.

 

The Novice Section – I was pleasantly surprised to see space dedicated to those just learning gourd art.

 

The award for color. I completely agree.

 

Embellishments – the buffalo was a show stopper.

 

Now don’t look too closely at my gourd work – I’m a work in progress! Fortunately for the newer gourd artist, a beautiful gourd can be created with just the basics. Including the more complicated procedures (that are completely new to you) before hours of practice can be problematic when you are looking to sell. All of that required practicing means we usually have a stash of practice gourds we keep completely hidden from the public’s eye. 🙂

Vicky

Arizona Gourd Festival!

Arizona Gourd Festival!

Gourds galore – only a few of the many gourd displays at the entry to the Festival

Arizona has been one of my favorite states to visit for years and now I have another reason to frequent this state – gourds. For the gourd artist, Arizona is full of inspiration and instruction and real live gourd growing and celebrating.

Just a few of the bins full of gourds just waiting for picking

Earlier this month I attended THE gourd festival in Casa Grande (halfway between Phoenix and Tucson). Sponsored by Wuertz Gourd Farm, it was their 14th Running of the Gourds Festival, and featured bins holding thousands of dried gourds for sale, gourds used for every purpose and decorative element imaginable, four days of serious gourd art instruction (filled long before I thought to make my reservations), Arizona’s Gourd Society’s Judged Show (unbelievable), 100 Gourd artists and vendors, music, food, and much more.

My shopping bag – don’t let the picture fool you. It was huge – I could barely drag it around!

Mixing with others who loved gourds as much or more than me was thrilling and gave me a feeling of bone deep satisfaction. You just don’t find many gourd artists in Oklahoma and even fewer (if any) suppliers. The three companies I rely on for most of my gourd art supplies were all there – Welburn Gourds, The Caning Shop, and Wuertz Gourd Farm. I had only shopped these merchants by mail and I loved actually seeing the colors of the ink dyes, touching and seeing various cording and trims, and choosing my own gourds. New techniques were on display even if you hadn’t been lucky enough to snag a spot in the official gourd classes. All in all – it was quite a rush!

Yet more bins full of gourds. I couldn’t focus on anything at the Festival until I had chosen 14 perfectly shaped gourds to send home.

Over the next week, I’ll be sharing snippets of the festival starting today with the biggest thrill of all – choosing a large boxful of dried gourds one by one. Wuertz Farm then took over for the packing and shipping as I was certain I couldn’t take them with me on our flight home.

And I must mention the gourds I saw beyond the festival in a number of artsy Tucson shops. Truly inspirational. Since returning home, I have drilled, cut, and cleaned two large gourds and now have both at my gourd art station just waiting to be burned, dyed, or carved.

Vicky