Special Categories and Divisions
Special Category – Class Gourds
For this competition, we are allowing gourds completed in a class or by tutorial. Entries in this category are not eligible for Best of Show, Best of Division or People’s Choice.
Section A - Simple class gourds –Novice level. Work completed in class in one session.
Section B – Complex class gourds –Novice level. Work completed in multiple days in and out of class or in a multiple day class.
Section C- Simple class gourds –Intermediate level. Work completed in class in one session.
Section D – Complex class gourds –Intermediate level. Work completed in multiple days in and out of class or in a multiple day class.
Section E- Simple class gourds –Advanced level. Work completed in class in one session.
Section F – Complex class gourds – Advanced level. Work completed in multiple days in and out of class or in a multiple day class.
Division Levels
YOUTH DIVISION
This division is designed to promote, encourage and teach school-aged youth how to create art from gourds. Any type of gourd art, using a single gourd or combination of gourds may be entered. There is no entry fee for entrants in this Division. The art piece may be from a seminar, class, or pattern. Each exhibitor is limited to one entry.
(Youth exhibitors may enter in the Novice or Intermediate Divisions, where regular fees will apply as well as all other requirements for each of those divisions.)
1. Category Y-1.......CHILD (up to Age 8) – Functional or decorative gourd using any technique.
2. Category Y-2....... YOUTH (Age 9-12) – Functional or decorative gourd using any technique.
3. Category Y-3…TEEN (Age 13-17 ) - Functional or decorative gourd using any technique.
NOVICE DIVISION
This division is for gourd crafters/artists that are relatively new to gourd crafting and have not won a 1st place as a Novice. The Novice should not have taught a gourd class for a fee. The entrant may have no extensive experience or expertise in any art form that has been used on an entry, such as painting, carving, wood-burning. If you have won a major award in a juried art show or won Best of Novice Division you must move up to the next division. Participation in the Novice division is limited to two years.
1. Category N-1 Pyrography - Wood-burning must predominate, but stain, dye or a small amount of color may be added to enhance the design.
2. Category N-2 Carved/Filigree/Fretwork - Relief-carved, to create texture, chipped, chiseled or power-carved, penetration or cutting entirely through the shell is allowed. May embellish with color. A whole or opened gourd may be used.
3. Category N-3 –Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function – playable, wearable or utilitarian. May use multiple techniques.
4. Category N-4 Painted or colored – Whole or cut gourd. Variety of coloring mediums allowed: paint, stains, dyes, inks, oil pastels, pencils, crayons, etc.
5. Category N-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled – a gourd woven or coiled with mixed, natural, or man-made materials. Any weaving technique.
6. Category N-6 Mixed Media Mash up – this category requires the use of 3 mediums/techniques in the piece. You will be asked to name each medium or technique used. Any techniques can be used including but not limited to beading, inlays, embellishments, fiber or clay.
7. Category N-7 Sculpture – the entry will be one or more gourds, in whole and or pieces to make a 3D sculpture. The gourd should be predominant. Clay or wood filler may be used in sculpting on gourd surface but should cover no more than 30% of the gourd surface. Additional techniques may be used to complete the design and limited embellishments can be added.
8. Category N-8 Illuminated – Lamps and illuminated gourds are included. Light can come from a battery, solar, or traditional wiring.
9. Category N-9 Nature Inspired – Create a piece that highlights nature, flora or fauna. Any technique can be used.
INTERMEDIATE DIVISION
The Intermediate Division is for artists who understand and use basic techniques. Entrants should not have won a major award in a gourd show or a juried art show. They may have sold gourds but have not taught a gourd class for a fee. If you win a Blue Ribbon in a specific category, you must move up to the next Division in that category. If you have won 5 Blue Ribbons in the intermediate Division, you must move up to Advanced Division. Once you win a Best of Division or Best of Show in this Division, you must move up to the Advanced Division.
1. Category I- 1 Pyrography - Wood-burning must predominate, but stain, dye or a small amount of color may be added to enhance the design.
2. Category I-2 Carved /Filigree/Fretwork - Relief-carved, to create texture, chipped, chiseled or power-carved, penetration or cutting entirely through the shell is allowed. May embellish with color. A whole or opened gourd may be used.
3. Category I-3 Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function – playable, wearable or utilitarian. May use multiple techniques.
4. Category I- 4 Painted or colored – Whole or cut gourd. Variety of coloring mediums allowed: paint, stains, dyes, inks, oil pastels, pencils, crayons, etc.
5. Category I-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled – a gourd woven or coiled with mixed, natural, or man-made materials. Any weaving technique.
6. Category I-6 Mixed Media Mash up – this category requires the use of 3 mediums/techniques in the piece. You will be asked to name each medium or technique used. Any techniques can be used including but not limited to beading, inlays, embellishments, fiber or clay.
7. Category I-7 Sculpture - the entry will be one or more gourds, in whole and or pieces to make a 3D sculpture. The gourd should be predominant. Clay or wood filler may be used in sculpting on gourd surface but should cover no more than 30% of the gourd surface. Additional techniques may be used to complete the design and limited embellishments can be added.
8. Category I-8 Illuminated – Lamps and illuminated gourds are included. Light can come from a battery, solar, or traditional wiring.
9. Category I-9 Nature Inspired - Create a piece that highlights nature, flora or fauna. Any technique can be used.
ADVANCED DIVISION
The Advanced Division is for artists who have progressed to a more complicated level of work and have a good grasp of multiple techniques and finishing skills. They are creating more distinctive, original work and are ready to compete with a wider range of competitors. They may have taught a gourd class for a fee but have not won top awards in art/gourd competitions. Once you have won Best of the Division or Best of Show in this competition, you must move up to the next division.
1. Category A- 1 Pyrography - Wood-burning must predominate, but stain, dye or a small amount of color may be added to enhance the design.
2. Category A-2 Carved - /Filigree/Fretwork - Relief-carved, to create texture, chipped, chiseled or power-carved, penetration or cutting entirely through the shell is allowed. May embellish with color. A whole or opened gourd may be used.
3. Category A-3 Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function – playable, wearable or utilitarian. May use multiple techniques.
4. Category A- 4 Painted or colored – Whole or cut gourd. Variety of coloring mediums allowed: paint, stains, dyes, inks, oil pastels, pencils, crayons, etc.
5. Category A-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled – a gourd woven or coiled with mixed, natural, or man-made materials. Any weaving technique.
6. Category A-6 Mixed Media Mash up – this category requires the use of 3 mediums/techniques in the piece. You will be asked to name each medium or technique used. Any techniques can be used including but not limited to beading, inlays, embellishments, fiber or clay.
7. Category A-7 Sculpture – the entry will be one or more gourds, in whole and or pieces to make a 3D sculpture. The gourd should be predominant. Clay or wood filler may be used in sculpting on gourd surface but should cover no more than 30% of the gourd surface. Additional techniques may be used to complete the design and limited embellishments can be added.
8. Category A-8 Illuminated – Lamps and illuminated gourds are included. Light can come from a battery, solar, or traditional wiring.
9. Category A-9 Masks – Any technique allowed. Masks can be displayed on a stand. If the mask does not have a stand, it must have a method to hang it from for display at the competition. Please indicate on entry form if your mask requires hanging. Please enter the measurements of your mask, length and width at the outer points on the entry form.
MASTER CRAFTSMAN DIVISION
The Master Division artist’s work shows excellent use of all techniques and finishing skills. The work is of original design. Their work may have been shown in galleries, previously won top awards in art/gourd competitions, and have reached the level of fine art. The artist should have won “Best of Advanced Division” to move up to the Masters Division or if you have won three first places in three different categories in Advanced, you may move up to Masters.
1. Category M- 1 Pyrography - Wood-burning must predominate, but stain, dye or a small amount of color may be added to enhance the design.
2. Category M-2 Carved -/Filigree/Fretwork - Relief-carved, to create texture, chipped, chiseled or power-carved, penetration or cutting entirely through the shell is allowed. May embellish with color. A whole or opened gourd may be used.
3. Category M-3 Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function – playable, wearable or utilitarian. May use multiple techniques.
4. Category M- 4 Painted or colored – Whole or cut gourd. Variety of coloring mediums allowed: paint, stains, dyes, inks, oil pastels, pencils, crayons, etc.
5. Category M-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled – a gourd woven or coiled with mixed, natural, or man-made materials. Any weaving technique.
6. Category M-6 Mixed Media Mash up – this category requires the use of 3 mediums/techniques in the piece. You will be asked to name each medium or technique used. Any techniques can used including but not limited to beading, inlays, embellishments, fiber or clay.
7. Category M-7 Sculpture –– the entry will be one or more gourds, in whole and or pieces to make a 3D sculpture. The gourd should be predominant. Clay or wood filler may be used in sculpting on gourd surface but should cover no more than 30% of the gourd surface. Additional techniques may be used to complete the design and limited embellishments can be added.
8. Category M-8 Illuminated - Lamps and illuminated gourds are included. Light can come from a battery, solar, or traditional wiring.
9. Category M-9 Masks - Any technique allowed. Masks can be displayed on a stand. If the mask does not have a stand, it must have a method to hang it from for display at the competition. Please indicate on entry form if your mask requires hanging. Please enter the measurements of your mask, length and width at the outer points on the entry form.
OPEN DIVISIOn
This is a special division for this competition. Anyone can enter this category from Youth to Masters. All items will be judged together regardless of the division.
1. Category O-1 – Musical Instruments – gourd instruments of all types are included. The sound of the instrument will be judged.
2. Category O-2 – Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. All techniques allowed. This category invites artists to share their vision of what America means to them. Interpretations may be historical, symbolic, contemporary or abstract. Observation of copyright laws is required.
Grand Master
The Grand Master Division is for the artist who consistently creates quality artwork that is solely the artist’s own concept. These artists have reached an artistic skill level beyond the master’s level and have won “Best of Division in Masters or Best of Show” awards at previous shows. The artistic skills and techniques are considered superior and their creativity inspirational.The artists work will not be judged, but will have a dedicated space in the competition to display their best or more recent works.
To Qualify for the Grand Master Division:
1. Entries are exceptional examples of gourd art in skills, techniques, and creativity.
2. An artist must have won either Best of Show or Best of Master Division, or both, at some time in the past.
Artists who qualify need to contact competition coordinators and notify of their intent to participate six weeks prior to show.
