GEORGIA GOURD SOCIETY

COMPETITION INFORMATION AND RULES 2010

 The purpose of the Georgia Gourd Society is to learn and to teach all who are interested about the culture, use, history, and craftsmanship of gourds. The Georgia Gourd Show is held to promote these goals.  The GGS Competition seeks to attract growers, beginning or hobbyist gourd craftsman, and accomplished artists in order to foster a sense of accomplishment and appreciation.
 

1. All raw gourds must be whole, uncut gourds.
2. Gourds in growth categories must have been grown by the exhibitor and in good condition.
3. Non-craft gourds must have stems, be mature, and be clean.  No finish of any kind is permitted.
4. Gourds in the grower’s competition must from this year or last year’s crop. Previous Georgia competition award winners may not be entered.
    

5. All entries must be hand made by the Artist. 
6. Only one entry per Artist per category, but there is no limit on the number of categories that can be entered within that division.
7. ALL ENTRIES must remain in competition until the end of the show on Sunday.  Failure to do so can result in not being allowed to enter future competitions. 
8. All entrants must allow photography of their work under the “fair use” doctrine.  No copy or photograph of the work may be sold for profit without the consent of the artist.
9. Entrants must be a member of the American Gourd Society or any state gourd society.  If you are not a member and would like to enter a piece in competition, you must first join the Georgia Gourd Society and/or the American Gourd Society at the main information desk.  Youth categories are exempt from this rule.
10. The artist’s name should be printed on the inside of the tag and hidden from view by folding and stapling the tag (printable tags and instructions are available on the Georgia Gourd Society website (http://www.georgiagourdsociety.com ).
11. All entry tags must be completed and attached to the gourd entry by 10:00 a.m. Saturday of the show.
12. Gourds that have won a first place award in a previous Georgia Gourd Society Show are not eligible for the current year’s competition.
13. The competition area is closed to everyone except the judging staff during the judging process.  Please be patient, the judging process may take a little time but we want to look carefully at each entry.  Ribbons will be awarded at this time.

(The following section clarifies the quality standards for gourd preparation and presentation.  Gourds not meeting these standards will likely receive a lower score.)

14. All open (cut) gourds (except birdhouses) must be cleaned to remove surface dirt, seeds, and all white seed membrane, and finished, inside and out, for show quality. Stems are not mandatory, but must be cleaned if left on gourd. Gourd birdhouse outside surfaces and stems must be cleaned, but minimal interior membrane can be left for nesting material. 
15. Gourd stems left on the gourd must be cleaned and finished to compliment the design
16. Gourd quality will be a factor in judging ALL categories.  A poor quality gourd can result in a lower score in accordance with AGS rules.  A 3x5 explanation card may be placed with a gourd where a major blemish or flaw is incorporated in the design or presentation of the gourd.  The judges will determine gourd quality. 
17. Leveling the bottom of a gourd by sanding is allowed and will not be considered poor quality or a detriment to the surface technique of the competition category. 
18. The inside surface of cut gourds and covered containers may be painted, stained, decoupage, coated, or otherwise finished.  The inside finish does not affect the entry category which is based on the exterior surface treatment of the gourd entry.
19. Translucent and clear protective finishes are allowed on all entries except non-craft gourds. Translucent finishes may be colored unless specifically denied, but must be sheer enough to see the natural characteristics and markings of the gourd through them. Examples: wax, ink, colored shoe polish, dye.
20. Gourd stands may be used (revolving and stationary) but are not mandatory.  The stand should be complementary to the gourd art, of stable construction, and must not interfere with the viewing of other entries.
21. There is no requirement that the gourd art or craft be presented in an upright position, but the gourd must be stable at rest so that it does not roll or fall from an exhibition table. 
22. A 3x5 card and/or photographs may accompany any entry indicating techniques or products used on the entry.  The card may be attached to the entry tag string or placed with the entry before the judging.  No business cards are allowed on entries until judging is completed, but they may be placed with exhibits after judging is finished.  Sales information may be placed by the entries AFTER the ribbons are awarded.

(Judging criteria)

23. Art and Craft entries will be judged according to the AGS Judging Option C printed below.

 “Consider originality of design, balanced by quality of the workmanship.

Originality considerations are overall design/theme, craftsmanship, suitability of accessories, and artistic qualities.

Workmanship considerations are neatness and quality, color/finish, balance/scale, and overall appearance.

If the quality of the gourd used is poor, judges should rank the gourd lower than they would otherwise.”

24. Ribbons may be awarded to the top three (3) entries in each category at the sole discretion of the judges.  A sole entrant in a category does not guarantee a first place ribbon.  Competition criteria must be met to earn a ribbon of any color. A merit ribbon may be awarded at the discretion of the judges.  Awarded ribbons MUST remain in place until the end of the show on Sunday.
25. Decision of the Judges is final. In the event of an error, no award will be removed, but a duplicate award will be given. 
26. The Georgia Gourd Society and facility are not responsible for damage to or theft of entries.

NOVICE DIVISION:

The Novice division was instituted to allow artists who are developing the basic techniques to compete among their peers with similar skills.  The novice entrant should not have exhibited in more than four gourds shows, won more than fifteen (15) first place awards in any gourd show in any two year period, or won a major award in a juried art show.  The novice should not have taught an out of state gourd class for a fee. The novice can compete in either Masters or Grand Masters – but all of the contestant’s entries must compete in only one division level. 

MASTER DIVISION

The Master division was instituted for those artists who have mastered the basic techniques and are ready to compete with a wider range of competitors.   The Master division is open to all competitors except Grand Masters.  Entrants can have sold or taught outside of Georgia for a fee.  The entrant should not have won a major gourd show, a major juried art show award, or won more than fifteen (15) first place awards in any gourd show in any two year period.   

GRAND MASTER DIVISION:

The Grand Master division was instituted for the accomplished artist whose art and skills have been recognized as superior.  Any entrant may compete in this class – but all of their entries must be entered in this division only.  If you have won a major show award or been awarded more than fifteen (15) first place awards in any two year period, you should enter the Grand Masters division.  Qualifying Grand Master entrants can not compete in the Master or Novice division.

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ARTIST TO ENTER THEIR PIECE IN THE CORRECT CATEGORY. Be certain that you have read the specific criteria outline for the category and make your decision accordingly.

If you have questions about the proper category placement, see one of the volunteers in the competition check-in area to explain the art/craft category or division.  They can provide advice, but you must make the final determination for placement of your piece.  Leave your entry with the volunteer who will place them in the display area for you.  The competition check-in area is chaired by Charlotte Durrence.  Pieces entered in incorrect categories cannot be judged or moved.

 

SHOW AWARDS

Best of Novice Division                                 Best of Masters Division

Best of Grand Masters Division                   Best of Show (all Divisions)

Best New Artist

Show Committee Award: Novice, Master, Grand Master

People’s Choice Award:  Most Humorous, Novice, Masters, Grand Master

Best New Artist is chosen from first time artists to the Georgia Gourd Society Show competing in Novice or Master.  Please mark the outside of the entry label with the word “NEW”, if you qualify and wish to compete for the Best New Artist award.

Best of Show award will be chosen from all blue ribbon winners in all divisions

Best of Show will be chosen from all blue ribbon winners from Novice and Masters, and Grand Master Divisions.

Show Committee awards will be chosen by the Show Chairs.

People’s Choice Awards will be presented to one winner from all entries in each Division and one “Most Humorous” award chosen from all entries in all divisions.

Participants inquiring about special exhibits that present unique circumstances or who need help should contact the Competition chairs – Reggie Eakin or Troy Tatum.

Special Category competitions will be exhibited outside of the AGS sanctioned gourd competition area, such as tutorials, photography, painting, non-gourd jewelry, literature, furniture, garments, or textiles.  The special category competitions are not covered by these rules and are not part of the AGS competition area or awards.  Rules for those competitions will be published on our website for those specific special competitions.