2025 PA Gourd Art Show and Festival Theme: Mystical

We started with the simple idea of bringing together the gourd enthusiasts with the community to share the love of gourd art, craft and growing. From our chapter founders to our newest members, we put lots of love and careful thought into all we do. We hope you enjoy all we have to offer at the 2025 PA Gourd Festival and share the experience with others.

Class Schedule:

Thursday all day
Choose one. Do Not choose a Thursday morning or afternoon class.

Lidded Basket - Jen Nailor
Thu, Jun 12
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM EDT
$70.00
In this class the focus is coiling pine needles so the gourd and lid fit properly to create the finished project. This is an all day class working with a 5 inch gourd bowl, thick leather and glycerin treated pine needles. Jen will provide all the materials but students are encouraged to bring nippers, sharp basket scissors (not fabric scissors) and an apron to protect your clothes. Jen will review how she prepares the pine needles, leather, and gourd bowl.

This can be a beginners’ class but experience with gourds and pine needles is helpful. Jen will dye the bowls due to the time needed to finish the project. Students should email Jen with their color preference.

Thursday Morning Classes
Select only one class from this section.

Snowman Ornament (Thursday Morning) - Jeanne Dierwechter
Thu, Jun 12
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
$31.00
This project is available for all skill levels. You will be learning to work with Quick wood. I will be supplying the following: Shard of gourd, Quickwood, paint, finishing spray, glitter, string or wire for a hook and rubber gloves. Please bring any tools you feel you may need to shape your piece of Quickwood. I recommend a small knife and tweezers.

Thursday Afternoon Classes
Select only one class from this section.

Snowman Ornament (Thursday Afternoon) - Jeanne Dierwechter
Thu, Jun 12
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
$31.00
This project is available for all skill levels. You will be learning to work with Quick wood. I will be supplying the following: Shard of gourd, Quickwood, paint, finishing spray, glitter, string or wire for a hook and rubber gloves. Please bring any tools you feel you may need to shape your piece of Quickwood. I recommend a small knife and tweezers.

Checkerboard Basket (Thursday) - Jim Anspach
Thu, Jun 12
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
$61.00
This is NOT a beginner’s class. We will be using a 4 rod wale weave to make a checkerboard pattern. Instructor will supply everything that is needed. It is recommended that students bring a towel and apron.

Nessie - Jenn Avery
Thu, Jun 12
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
$56.00
Burn Nessie the Loch Ness Monster using your pyrography tool onto a gourd vase, then use mixed media for colorful accents. We will be using a spear tip for lines and a shading tip to shade Nessie with some Celtic spirals on her body. This is a beginner friendly class, but it would be helpful if you have some pyrography experience.

You will need to bring your variable temperature pyrography tool with spear and shader pens.

Everything else will be included for you to finish the Nessie gourd.

Fiery Gold Leaf Tree - Roxan O'Brien
Thu, Jun 12
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT
$65.00
This lovely pendent is created using gold leaf on colored pencil on copper. You will learn how to apply gold leaf to metal and how to color metal using colored pencils. All supplies and metal will be provided by the teacher.

Vineyard Bowl (Thursday Afternoon) - Ana Poma
Thu, Jun 12
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
$76.00
Students will learn how to use ash with oil to paint vineyard lines. This technique is still applied by traditional Peruvian artists. The combination of ash and oil will give a fine and organic finish to the carving. Students will need a carving tool with a very small round bit. (These are available at Lowe’s) Students should also have an apron and a mask.

Thursday Evening Classes
Select only one class from this section.

Fancy Fish - Judi Fleming
Thu, Jun 12
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM EDT
$56.00
In this class you will learn how to create realistic trout from banana gourds. You will also learn excellent tips and tricks for both QuikWood and painting techniques with shiny finishes. Students will create two different trout or fish of their choice. ALL supplies are provided for doing this class and no previous experience is necessary. Note: You may not complete both gourds with the time provided, but you will indeed have all the skills to complete it on your own.

Etched Christmas Ornament - Ana Poma
Thu, Jun 12
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM EDT
$66.00
In this lesson we will see how our small ornaments take on a different color when boiled with aniline. The COCHINILLA: is an insect that lives under cactus . From these small insects we can extract different varieties of colors called aniline.

Once our ornament is dyed in the color we want, we draw a pretty butterfly and then carve it with a small drill bit. Students will need a carving tool with a very small round bit. (These are available at Lowe’s) Students should also have gloves, an apron, and a mask.

Birds of a Feather - Roxan O'Brien
Thu, Jun 12
6:00 PM - 9:30 PM EDT
$70.00
Create this whimsical bird with the look of an enameled piece without the use of a kiln! This amazing technique uses colored pencil and permanent ink to color a copper surface. In this workshop you will learn how to create these “birds of a feather” by preparing copper to accept hand-applied color for a permanent effect, and how to use metal stamps, fluid color, and patina to design a beautiful pendant you can be proud of. Beginners welcome! No prior skill or experience is needed. Material fee $10 for the readymade copper bird, payable at time of class.

Time:
June 12, 2025 7:30AM-5:00 PM
Evening Classes 6:00PM-9:30 PM

2025 Class Registration

Pennsylvania Gourd Society’s 2025 Gourd Art Competition