NON-CRAFTED GOURDS

Gourds in grower categories must have been grown by the exhibitor (adult or youth) and in good condition.  Gourds must have stems, be mature, and be clean.  Non-crafted gourds must not be cut.   No finish of any kind is permitted. One year previous or current season gourds are permitted in the non-craft categories.

1.      Greatest circumference – must be uncut.

2.      Longest dipper-type (stem to blossom).  Gourds with a long handle and distinct bulb.

3.  Smallest gourd (hardshell or ornamental) in overall size.

4.  Most unusual gourd, naturally.

5.  The Jim Story Memorial Award: $25.00 prize. The winner of this competition will be eligible for the National
    Jim Story Award with a first prize award of $500.00. (Category rules appear separately on the GGS website).

6.  Most unusual gourd, by manipulation.

7.  Three (3) identical gourds (same type, size and color).

CRAFTED GOURDS YOUTHS ONLY

Awards will be given to all youth who have entered.  Any technique(s)

8.      Best youth craft (up to age 8)

9.      Best youth craft (age 9-16)
 

First place, second place, and third place awards will be given for entry categories 10 through 55 in entrant classifications: Novice, Master, and Grand Master, except category 41 which is novice only.

MUSICAL CLASS

10.  Gourd musical instrument, functional.  Includes drums, rattles, shekeres, etc. Any techniques.

PYROGRAPHY (WOODBURNING) whole or cut gourd

11.  Pyrography with no other technique. No ornamentation permitted, clear finish permitted. 

12.  Pyrography with other techniques.  Pyrography must dominate, minimal ornamentation permitted.

GOURD CARVING CLASS – whole or open gourd

13.  Relief Carved Gourd pertains to the removal of the outer gourd shell, filigree allowed.  Other techniques allowed but carving must dominate, decorative painting allowed, and minimal embellishments allowed.

14.  Chiseled, chip carved, and gouged gourds.  One or more of these techniques may be combined to create a design without cutting through the gourd.  Stains allowed, no other techniques or rim treatment allowed.

15.  Fret Work or Cut Gourd using any tool that cuts completely through the gourd to complete a design or pattern.  Stains allowed, light rim treatment allowed, but no other technique.  Does not include penetration used for coiling.

COLORED GOURD CLASS – whole or opened

16.  Painted Gourd, any medium to include oil, acrylic, water color, ink, or colored pencil to complete a picture, design or pattern, minimal use of other techniques and embellishments

17.  Textured Gourd, any medium that creates a pronounced raised surface to create a design or pattern on the surface of the gourd, any medium allowed, minimal ornamentation.

18.  Stained Gourd, colored with stains, dyes, glazes, waxes, colored pencil, etc. that do not apply to another category, more than one medium allowed.

19.  Inlaid Gourd featuring any inlay material, minimal use of other techniques or embellishments allowed.  

WOVEN GOURD CLASS

Gourd baskets must have handles; gourd bowls do not.  A gourd must dominate as part of the container.

20.  Woven gourd bowls with natural plant/animal weaving material (pine needles, vines, natural color leather, feathers, etc.) and/or man made materials (dyed lacing, wire, fabric, etc).  Light ornamentation permitted

21.  Woven gourd baskets with natural weaving materials (pine needles, vines, natural color leather, feathers, etc.) and OR man made materials (dyed lacing, wire fabric, etc.).  Light ornamentation permitted.

WEARABLE CLASS

Any technique(s) permitted – gourds must dominate

22.  Gourd masks.  May be functional or decorative.

23.  Gourd jewelry.  Items may include necklaces, bracelets, earrings, broaches, pins, belts, buttons, hair ornaments etc.

24.  Gourd purse.  Any technique(s).

25.  Gourd hat. Any technique(s).

BIRDHOUSE/BIRD FEEDERS CLASS

26.  Birdhouse.  Gourd and entrance holes should be appropriate sizes, with drainage and hanging holes. Any technique(s).

27.  Bird feeders.  Gourds must dominate.  Any technique(s).

HISTORIC/ETHNIC CLASS

28.  Historic Gourds.  Replicate a traditional or historic gourd and provide a written explanation of the history and use.  A written explanation must accompany the item to tell the judges and public exactly what they are seeing.

29.  Native American themed gourd.  Any gourd with Native American motif.  Any technique(s).

30.  Ethnic themed gourd other than Native American. (African, Chinese, etc.).  Any technique(s).

31.   Americana or patriotic gourd theme.  Any technique/s or embellishments.

FLORAL CLASS

Unless otherwise specified, non-gourd material may be used, but gourds must dominate.  All materials must be natural. No plastic or synthetic fabric

32.  Arrangement of dried or fresh flowers or plant material in a gourd container undecorated or suitably decorated.

33.  Gourd container decorated with a FLORAL theme.  Any technique(s).  No arrangement required.

34.  Single bloom made of gourd material.  Color and small amount of additional material permitted.

SCULPTURE CLASS

35.  Animal(s), including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, or other earth creatures made of gourd or gourd pieces.  Any technique(s). 

36.  Mystical or Humorous Creatures. Fanciful, mystical creatures (dragons, fairies, unicorns, gnomes, etc.) any technique (Glitter and sparkling material permitted.)

37.  Gourd Sculpture – one or more gourds – any subject including mobiles - may use clay and/or epoxy - any technique allowed.  Must be at least 70% gourd.

HOLIDAY GOURD CRAFT CLASS

Any technique(s) and a reasonable amount of decorative materials are permitted.

38.  Gourd Ornament.  Any holiday or season.  Any technique(s).

39.  Christmas theme only.  Any technique(s).  Whole or cut gourd.

40.  Holiday theme other than Christmas.  Any technique(s).  Whole or cut gourd.

GENERAL GOURD CLASSES

41.  Gourd Art Class Project by a “Novice” that is made in any GGS sanctioned show, GED, or patch meeting.  The entry must include 3x5 card showing date, class, and location.  Any technique, finish, or embellishment allowed. 

42.  Gourd toys.  Doll, functional toy, or toy set fashioned from gourds or gourd parts.

43.  Decorated gourd bowl.  Any technique(s).  No handles.

44.  Decorated gourd basket.  Any technique(s).  Must have handles.

45.  Decorated dipper gourd.  Any technique(s).  Whole or cut gourd.

46.  Jug, canteen, pitcher, or other vessel designed to hold water.  Must be functional.  Any technique(s).

47.  Lamps and Luminaries.  Lamps in any style.  Gourds must dominate.  Must be functional, with or without electricity.  (Candleholders, lanterns, lamps etc.).

48.  Beaded Gourd.  Whole or cut gourd.  Any type of bead is acceptable.

49.  Gourd Boxes.  Any technique(s).  Hinged or unhinged lids optional.

50.  Multi-technique multi-media gourd.  Combination of multiple techniques (excluding carving) that does not fit in another category.

51.  I Did It My Way.  Any gourd craft entry that does not fit in another category.  Must be made of a gourd or gourd part.

52.  Theme category for the 2010 show – The Spirit of Gourds. Any technique.

53.  Miniature gourd creation. Must be less than 6 inches in diameter, length, and height. Any techniques.

54.  Wall art, excluding masks.  Gourds or gourd pieces to create art piece suitable for hanging on the wall.

55.  Interior Structure. The interior of gourd decorated in some theme or fashion.  (Mouse house, Doll house, nature scene)  Exterior of gourd must be decorated to compliment interior. The interior design will make up 75 per cent of content to be judged. (Exterior 25 per cent.)

 

Special Categories

These categories are not part of the AGS sanctioned competition and will be displayed outside of the gourd contest area.

56.  Gourd Project Tutorial accompanied by an example of the Project.

57.  Photography of gourds - See Photo Contest rules.

58.  Gourd Representations – See Gourd Representation rules.