Mu`s News - WAgourdsociety.org

Washington State Gourd Society
We are the Mu Chapter of the American Gourd Society
March 2013
Issue #17
As always during this
time of year, there is lots
to do for the festival.
Presidents Message
1
Gourd Patches
2
It’s about the Festival
Fundraising Opportunities
3
“How to become a Gourd
Teacher” by T. Davenport
4
2012 Gourd Competition
Recap
5-6
Featured Artist
Allan Sweeney
7-8
2012 Christmas Party
9
Gourd Sightings
9
Upcoming Events
10
Miscellaneous Info
11
WSGS Website:
www.wagourdsociety.org
President - Stacy Annon
Shawna Stout is putting
together a great line up of
classes. Teachers who had
positive comments from
students are all coming back.
Our vendor line up is also in process. It looks
like we will have two gourd growers for a
great variety of gourds. The Feather Ladies
are returning, which is a good thing as Dynva
Todd will be teaching her feather mask class.
If you would like to teach or vend, don't delay, get your applications in now. See the
Classes page on our website.
Our festival is a volunteer staffed event, and
as such we need volunteers to help get the
word out. Printable posters are available on
our website. Please help out by sharing some
of the posters within your communities. And
remember, if you volunteer as staff at the
festival for at least four (4) hours, you will
receive free admission for the day; a great
deal.
Vice President - Jim Martin
Tickets will be on sale soon for the Saturday
night dinner. Watch our website to be the first
Treasurer - Bob Riveira
to get tickets. Live entertainment will be limMembership Secretary - Sharon Watson ited to Saturday only, however we are doing
our best to have an act carry us into social
Webmaster - James Ozburn (Oz)
time before the dinner.
Newsletter Editor - Kathryn Egan
It is looking like a great time!
Director - Laura Fraser
Secretary - Diane Frederick
Director - Kate Franchimon
Director - Sally Favors
Director - Shawna Stout
Director - Patty Burke
Director - Toni Davenport
See you all in Ellensburg July 11 through
the 14th. Stacy Annon
Reminders:
Days Inn is our partner for the Gourd Festival,
and has blocked out 25 double queen rooms @
$65.00 a night. You must call Days Inn directly
and mention WSGS to get this rate. Make your
reservations soon.
If you’d like to share a room, and/or share a ride
to Ellensburg, submit your request to Oz. See
the WSGS website for details:
www.wagourdsociety.org/fest-home/fest-home.htm
Daily food and Saturday night dinner will again
be catered by Christie from Old Coots Catering.
Parking should not be a problem this year, and
the weather forecast for this July is to be more
normal. (Keep your fingers crossed!)
Page 2
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
March 2013, Issue #17
If you’re interested in finding other people in your area that are as passionate about playing with gourds as you are, the WSGS currently has four Gourd Patches that meet on a monthly basis:
North Sound Gourd Patch meets on the 2nd Saturday of the month at the home of Patty Burke in Lynnwood. Call 425-678-8210
or email Patty at [email protected] for directions.
Crystal Gourd Patch meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month, currently at the home of Stacey Annon in University Place.
Email Stacy at [email protected].
Nuthatch Patch meets every Tuesday at the home of Carmen Easter in Chattaroy, north of Spokane. Call 509 292-0405 for directions.
Bellevue Gourd Patch meets sporadically at the home of Dotty Cooper in Bellevue. Call 425-746-8363 or email Dotty at
[email protected] for dates and directions.
Please check out our WSGS Gourd Patch web page http://www.wagourdsociety.org/g-patches/g-patches.htm for additional information. If you need help contacting people in your area, please contact Oz at [email protected], as he has a complete list of all
members and their contact information.
**Memberships run from January through December. It’s that time again… time to pay 2013 dues if you haven’t already.**
March 2013, Issue #17
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
Page 3
The Traveling Gourd
The theme for our 2013 WSGS Traveling Gourd is "Birds and Flowers of the
Northwest." This gourd will be raffled off at the festival as a fundraiser.
There are a total of 14 panels on this year’s gourd.
We have had a terrific response to our request for
artists to complete a panel. If fact, there is only one
panel left! If you are interested in donating your artwork on the last available panel, please contact Dynva Todd asap:
Email: [email protected],
Phone: 206-283-2471
We have had great success in raising funds for our festivals in the past raffles, and
look forward to the completion of our new Traveling Gourd!
Dynva Todd, Chairman, Traveling Gourd Fundraiser, 2013
North Sound Patch Wall Hanging Fundraiser Projects
Vickie Barto is heading the coordination effort for a Zentangle inspired wall-hanging. She has
flattened sixteen 4x4 inch gourd pieces, and has distributed them to the artists who volunteered
to Zentangle on them. When the finished panels are returned, she will fit them together in the
original “string” pattern, and mount or suspend them in a wall-hanging. If you requested a
gourd tile, but have not received one, please contact Vickie at 425-775-4095.
Frankie Howland will be coordinating another wall hanging, also using 4x4 inch flattened
gourd tiles. This wall-hanging will have a “Summer” design theme. The project isn’t expected
to begin in earnest until May. Please contact Frankie at 360-691-7291 if you are interested in
participating.
** WSGS Website: http://www.wagourdsociety.org **
Page 4
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
March 2013, Issue #17
Are you interested in teaching a class at the festival?* Teaching a
class can be a great experience. All you need is an idea for a gourd
project, planning, preparation of materials, and a good attitude. In
this article, Toni Davenport shares how she became a teacher of
gourd art, and shows all you need is desire and drive.
“How I became a Gourd Art Teacher,” by Toni Davenport:
I discovered the world of gourd art via a Christmas present from my
daughter; a table top book “The Decorated Gourd” by Dyan Mai Peterson. I was amazed and had to try it myself. I learned from the book and any other information I could find
on the web, primarily Welburn Gourd Farm.
My daughter has a purse fetish, and so my 1st piece was a gourd purse using a canteen gourd, inspired by my
gift book. I was driven to do several more pieces, and became addicted.
I realized that I still did not know of anyone else in this area that did gourd art. I had taken some unrelated
classes at the City of Edmonds, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Department (Frances Anderson Center), so I
inquired about requirements to teach an “Introduction to Gourd Art” class. With the pieces of gourd art that I
had made and teaching skills acquired from work, I was able to contract to teach 5 classes for the City of Edmonds. I also have a friend who is an artist and retired school teacher who I called on to inspire and advise
me.
When the publication of classes and events was sent out, Patty Burke went to the Frances Anderson Center,
inquired about the classes and left her card, asking that I call her regarding the Washington State Gourd Society. This was before I’d taught even one class. I came to a WSGS meeting and Patch, was hooked and thanks
to all of you, gained more self-confidence.
So, even with limited interest in a gourd art class, the students that did sign-up were very enthusiastic and inspired with the classes. Two of my students, Beverly and Vicki are now members of WSGS and North Sound
Patch. Since that initial experience, I have taught the Story Gourd class at the 2011 Northwest Gourd Festival,
and have done tutorials and demonstrations, including Artists’ in Action at a Greenbank Farm Berry Festival
on Whidbey Island. I really enjoy introducing gourds as an alternate canvas to artists working in other mediums. It’s so much fun.
*Note: If you want to teach a class, your application must be submitted by April 15. See our website for
more information and the application and agreement: www.wagourdsociety.org/classes/classes.htm
Almost Sold Out! Get your 2012 Festival Highlights DVD now.
Get a DVD of the 2012 Northwest Gourd Festival in Ellensburg, featuring competition entries, classes in progress, vendors booths, entertainment and banquet events. If you attended, you may even find yourself in the mix!
To order, send a request with your address and payment of $6.00, which includes shipping,
to Patty Burke, 17620 15th Pl. W., Lynnwood, WA 98037. Your check should be made payable to WSGS.
**Memberships run from January through December. It’s that time again… time to pay 2013 dues if you haven’t already.**
March 2013, Issue #17
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
Page 5
By Sally Favors
Jane Smith and I (the WSGS gourd competition committee) arrived in Ellensburg at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday morning, July 12, and began to set up our room for the gourd competition. Almost immediately, people started bringing in their gourd art, and we were kept pretty busy all Thursday logging in the entries. I
must admit we did sneak out during a lull in the afternoon to cool down with an ice cold beer!
Friday morning brought a few more entries, including some students with their just completed class projects. We allowed the public to come in and view the gourds, and the comments were pretty much the
same – how beautiful the gourds were, and amazement at what can be done with a gourd. We had 87 entries in our gourd competition: 10 in Novice, 70 in Open, and 7 in Master Craftsman. Bruce Tabb, the
mayor of Ellensburg, stopped by to award the Mayoral’s Choice, picking Laura Fraser’s entry. Promptly
at 3:00 p.m. Friday, we shut the door to prepare for the judging. By 4:00, all nine judges and three clerks
were ready for the judging to begin. After the judges finished awarding the first round of ribbons, we ate a
delicious taco salad meal prepared by Jane. Then it was back to work on awarding the Best of Division
and Best of Show ribbons. The gourds on the tables looked completely different with all the beautiful ribbons surrounding them.
Saturday morning there was excitement among the artists when they discovered they had won a ribbon.
All day visitors came through the competition room and voted for their favorite in the “People’s Choice”
category. The name of the winner, Heather Kinkade, was announced at our Saturday dinner.
Sunday afternoon the artists collected their gourds and we cleaned up the competition room, already making plans for next year.
The 2012 winners were:
NOVICE DIVISION
N-3
1st
Crafted in class, using tutorial, or other artist’s design
Ian Swanson
N-4
1st
Carved, chiseled, gouged, cut or filigree
Kathryn Rau
N-5
1st
2nd
3rd
Woodburned
Debra Williams
Bettie Lou Pickel
Nichole Robinson
N-6
1st
Inlayed, beaded, woven
Peggy Driesen
N-8
1st
2nd
Functional gourd
Renae Favor
Shirley Cook
** WSGS Website: http://www.wagourdsociety.org **
Page 6
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
OPEN DIVISION
0-10
1st
2nd
3rd
O-11
Crafted in class, using tutorial, or
other artist’s design
Frankie Howland
Dynva Todd
Sharon Watson
1st
2nd
3rd
Carved, chiseled, gouged, cut or
filigree
Toni Davenport
Michele Swan
Michelle Green
O-12
1st
2nd
3rd
Woodburned
Michelle Green
Michelle Green
Laura Fraser
O-13
1st
2nd
Inlayed or beaded
Dotty Cooper
Dotty Cooper
O-14
1st
2nd
3rd
Woven, couched, or coiled
Gloria Dittrick
Sally Favors
Gloria Dittrick
O-15
1st
2nd
3rd
Holiday theme
Carol Sulham
Marilyn Michel
Marilyn Michel
O-16
1st
2nd
3rd
Floral design
Judie Anderson
Dynva Todd
Michelle Green
O-17
1st
2nd
3rd
Miniature – 3”
Judie Anderson
Judie Anderson
Bob Favors
O-18
1st
2nd
3rd
Musical instruments
Bobbie Ellerbeck
Bobbie Ellerbeck
Bobbie Ellerbeck
O-19
1st
2nd
3rd
Masks
Dynva Todd
Michele Swan
Judie Anderson/Patty Burke
O-20
1st
2nd
3rd
Functional gourd
Sharon Watson
Jill Walker
Stacy Annon
March 2013, Issue #17
O-21
1st
2nd
3rd
Sculptural
Laura Fraser
Judie Anderson
Bob Favors
O-22
1st
Americana or patriotic theme or scene
Liz Meyer
O-23
1st
2nd
3rd
Pacific Northwest design
Michelle Green
Bobbie Ellerbeck
Susan Mayeno
O-24
1st
2nd
3rd
Anything goes
Stacy Annon
Patty Burke
Jill Walker
MASTER CRAFTSMAN
MC-26
1st
2nd
3rd
Vases, bowls or containers
Heather Kinkade
Diane Frederick
Frankie Howland
MC-27
1st
2nd
3rd
Anything goes
Heather Kinkade
Diane Frederick
Frankie Howland
Judge’s Choice:
Gloria Dittrick
Bob Favors
Sally Favors
Laura Fraser
Diane Frederick
Heather Kinkade
Dynva Todd
Jill Walker
Debra Williams
Best of Division/Novice Debra Williams
Best of Division/Open
Laura Fraser
Best of Division/Master Craftsman .. Heather Kinkade
Mayoral Choice
Laura Fraser
President’s Choice
Michelle Green
People’s Choice
Heather Kinkade
Best of Show
Laura Fraser
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!!!
**Memberships run from January through December. It’s that time again… time to pay 2013 dues if you haven’t already.**
March 2013, Issue #17
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
Page 7
The Incredible Gourdable Egg
By Alan Sweeney
Some gourds seem to hold a special place in my heart, and the wonderful egg gourd is one that is high on the list. I have always had a
few eggs around in my private gourd stash that would eventually be
transformed into some kind of ornament, or used for feet or heads in
sculptures. But in recent months the egg gourd has successfully taken
over my life.
A recent trip to visit Shirley Lowman in Kalama, WA was all it took
to rocket my love of egg gourds into a full-blown obsession. A book
on her coffee table featuring crafts from around the world was the bait
which I took hook, line and sinker. When I flipped to the centerfold I think I heard the angels sing. It was a
tutorial on the ancient art form of Pysanky (Ukrainian egg decorating). My mind instantly flashed to egg
gourds and the Pysanky egg hunt was on.
My research took me deep into the world of eggs where I found websites for tools and supplies, YouTube
videos, and documents on the history of Pysanky. I found myself being hurled into the wonderful new
world of eggs and even considered traveling to Pennsylvania for a week long Pysanky retreat. I think it
might have been the faint whiff of gourd dust that brought me back into
“gourd reality” so I could focus, and get back to the gourd-type of eggs.
But before I left the internet, I had purchased several items from the
Pysanky world that I knew could help feed my egg gourd addiction. A
new egg lathe has proven to be extra useful for drawing perfect lines on
egg gourds, and I found some of the coolest egg stands, findings (for hanging), and display trees. I even
ordered some of their dyes, wax, and kistka (wax writing tools). I tried a little Pysanky on egg gourds with
some fairly good success. But it was time to take my new tools and move on. But the egg gourd continued
to cry out!
I remembered seeing an egg gourd tutorial on the American Gourd Society’s website under Publications. It was part of the “How To” series written
by Kathy James titled “How to Draw and Wood Burn Egg Gourds with
Symmetrical Geometrics.” I just had to have it. After several days of stalking the poor mailman, it finally showed up, filling the void that weighed
heavy on my heart. As I read through its pages, the lights came on, and
once again I think I heard the angels sing. So I was off to the gourd shop
to give it a try. Oh, what fun I had drawing and burning lines on that little
gourd. It almost seemed to tell me how it wanted to be done. I became
one with that egg gourd and I needed more.
** WSGS Website: http://www.wagourdsociety.org **
Page 8
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
March 2013, Issue #17
My stash of egg gourds were running low, and
it seemed like everyone who came into the shop
wanted to buy them from me. I need to have
enough to feed my own addiction before I supplied anyone else! So I would snarl and growl
at anyone who would even look at the
“precious” egg gourds. It was obvious that I
needed to have more! Then it hit me; I remembered that Jim Martin had a big pile of egg
gourds for sale at the NW 2012 Gourd Festival.
Hoping he still had some, I contacted him right
away and he sent pictures of the ones he had
available. Within a few short days the UPS
driver delivered a big box of the heavenly egg
gourds to my doorstep. I now have enough of the little guys to share with others, and am able to continue my exploration into egg gourd abyss. Thanks Jim Martin, and remember, I know you have more!
On a more serious note, the egg gourd truly has brought a great deal to joy to my life, and I plan to explore other techniques and share them with others. Duane Langworthy and I will be
teaching an Alcohol Ink Easter Egg Gourd Ornament class for our local community
education program during the winter session. I also plan to share geometric designs
on egg gourds with our local gourd patch.
Last summer, Diane Frederick showed Duane how to dye egg
gourds using old silk neck ties during a class she taught at the
NW Gourd Festival. I sure want to give that a try as well.
Who knows what else may be next on the horizon with the incredible gourdable egg. See you at the NW Festival in July!
**Memberships run from January through December. It’s that time again… time to pay 2013 dues if you haven’t already.**
March 2013, Issue #17
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
Page 9
Ravi Shankar, who died in December 2012, played the sitar. The bulbous chamber of a sitar, which gives
the sitar it’s resonating sound, is made from a gourd! George Harrison of the Beatles, played a sitar on the
song "Norwegian Wood.”
** WSGS Website: http://www.wagourdsociety.org **
Page 10
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
March 2013, Issue #17
March 2013
23
WSGS Meeting
April 2013
13
WSGS workshop with Stacy Annon from 10:00—4:00, cost $60.00
13
Wisconsin Gourd Festival
www.wisconsingourdsociety.org
19-20
Louisiana Gourd Society
www.louisianagourdsociety.org
19-21
Tennessee Volunteer Gourd Society
www.tennesseevolunteergourdsociety.org
25-28
Maryland Gourd Society Festival
www.gourdday.org
26-28
Show Me Gourd Society Festival in Springfield, MO
www.showmegourdsociety.com
27
WSGS Meeting
27
The Ghost Creek Gourd Festival in South Carolina
www.scgourdsociety.com
May 2013
4-5
Indiana Gourd Show
www.indianagourdsociety.org
17-19
Kentucky Gourd Show
www.kygourdsociety.org
25
WSGS Meeting
30-June 2
Cherokee Gourd Artists Gathering in North Carolina
www.gourdgathering.net
June 2013
1
Illinois Gourd Society Festival
www.illinoisgourdsociety.org
22
WSGS Meeting
July 2013
11-14
Washington State Gourd Society Festival in Ellensburg, WA
www.wagourdsociety.org
27
WSGS Meeting
**Memberships run from January through December. It’s that time again… time to pay 2013 dues if you haven’t already.**
March 2013, Issue #17
Washington State Gourd Society Mu’s News
Page 11
Advertising Rates for WSGS Newsletter
3x3 (Business Card Size)
1 Issue: $10.00
2 Issues: $19.00
4 Issues: $35.00
1/4 Page
1 Issue: $15.00
2 Issues: $29.00
4 Issues: $55.00
½ Page
1 Issue: $22.00
2 Issues: $43.00
4 Issues: $85.00
Full Page
1 Issue: $40.00
2 Issues: $79.00
4 Issues: $158.00
Deadlines:
Winter Mar 1
Spring June 1
Summer Aug. 30
Fall Nov. 15
Past issues of the Newsletter can be found on the website here: Mu’s News Back Issue’s
Please contact our Webmaster at [email protected] or 360-249-8144 if:
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Would like something modified on our website.
Please contact our Newsletter Editor at [email protected] or 206-368-9692 if:
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We welcome all feedback and on ways you think we could improve our newsletter and/or website.
Copyright (C) 2008 - 2013
* www.wagourdsociety.org *
All rights reserved.
** WSGS Website: http://www.wagourdsociety.org **