2021 GOURDFEST COMPETION INFORMATION

GOURD GROWERS (NON-CRAFT) RULES 

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. 
5. Previous Georgia competition award winners may not be entered. 

GOURD ART & CRAFT RULES 

1. All entries must be hand made by the Artist. 
2.  Artist may enter both the Technique Division and the Open Theme Divisions. 
3. 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. 
4. All entrants must allow photography of their work under the “fair use” doctrine. 
5. All entry forms must be signed by the artist. If the artist is not present to present the artwork into competition, signature must be notarized. 
6. Entrants must be a member of the Georgia 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 by mailing a $15.00 check to Tom Ricker 3653 Cedar Corners Trail, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092 or pay a $5.00 entry fee per entry. Youth categories are exempt from this rule. 
7. The artist’s name, artist number and category number should be printed on the back side of the entry tag and hidden from view by folding the tag in half and attached to the gourd with string and paper clips. After judging the tags will be turned over for public viewing. Artist numbers will be assigned after registration form is received. The artist will include their number on the entry tags prior to attatching the tags to their entry(s).  Registration forms are available on the website (www.georgiagourdsociety.com). Pre-registration is strongly advised, as there will be a $2.00 charge for every competition item that must be registered at the competition desk on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Mail completed forms to Karin Anderson, 234 Long Leaf Trail, Byron, GA  31008.  As was established in 2019, non-GGS members will be charged $5.00 for each competition entry. Membership information is on the website. 
8. All entry tags must be completed and attached to the gourd entry by 5:30 pm, Thursday, of the show. Entry tags are available on the website (www.georgiagourdsociety.com). The competition area will be open during the show on Thursday from 3 pm to 5:30 pm to accept your entries.
9. Gourds that have won a first place award in a previous Georgia Gourd Society Show are not eligible for the current year’s competition 
10. 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. 
11. The following section clarifies the quality standards for gourd preparation and presentation. Gourds not meeting these standards will likely receive a lower score. If you have an irregular technique or gourd, please leave a note for the judges using a 3x5 note card. 
12.  All open (cut) gourds (except birdhouses) must be cleaned to remove surface dirt, seeds, and all white seed membrane, inside and out, for show quality. Gourd birdhouse outside surfaces and stems must be cleaned but minimal interior membrane can be left for nesting material. 
13. Stems are not mandatory but must be cleaned and finished to compliment the design if left on. 
14. 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.
15.  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. 
16. 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 other than the interior must be clean. 
17. 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. 
18. 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. Electrical outlets are not available for revolving stands. If you wish to use a revolving stand it should be battery operated. 
19. 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. 
20.  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. 
21. Art and Craft entries will be judged according to the AGS Judging Option B (link to AGS Judging Handbook: http://www.americangourdsociety.org/judging.html 
22.  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 also be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Awarded ribbons MUST remain in place until the end of the show on Sunday. 
23. Decisions of the Judges are final. In the event of an error, no award will be removed but a duplicate award will be given. 
24. The Georgia Gourd Society and/or the Show facility are not responsible for damage to or theft of entries. 
25. . No fractal burning or laser cut entries are allowed.

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. Only competition staff will be allowed in the competition area until the show opens to the public on Friday morning. Pieces entered in the wrong categories cannot be judged or moved unless you agree to allow it to be moved on the entry tag. 

Competition Division Breakdown

NON-CRAFTED GOURDS (Categories NC 1-5)

YOUTHS CRAFTED GOURDS (Categories Y 6-8)

ADULT CRAFTED GOURDS 

TECHNIQUE DIVISION (Categories 9-20)

 NOVICE Classification (Categories N 9-20)

 INTERMEDIATE Classification (Categories I 9-20)

 MASTER Classification (Categories M 9-20)

OPEN THEME DIVISION (Categories O 21-32) (Open to all three classifications together)

COLLABORATIVE DIVISION (Category CP 33)

GRAND MASTER DISPLAY DIVISION (Category GM 34)

Competition Skill Classifications for the Technique Division

NOVICE Classification

The Novice Classification was instituted to allow new artist and artists who are developing the basic techniques to compete among their peers with similar skills. The Novice entrant should have been crafting gourds for three years or less and should not have taught a class for a fee. The Novice entrant should not have exhibited in more than four Gourd Show competitions, won more than 10 first place awards (blue ribbons) or won a major award in this division. Class projects are allowed in this classification only and the entry should give credit to the instructor. Anyone entering this division must place all their Technique Division entries in this division. The Novice can also compete in the Open Theme Division in addition to the Technique Division.

INTERMEDIATE Classification

The Intermediate Classification was instituted for those artists who have mastered the basic techniques and are ready to compete with a wider range of competitors. Entrants in this classification should have more that three years’ experience and can have sold gourd art or taught for a fee. Those entrants who have won more than 20 first place awards (blue ribbons) in this classification or won a major award must advance to the Master Classification.  No decals are allowed and all designs must be original. Anyone entering this Classification can also enter the Open Theme Division.

MASTER Classification

The Master Classification was instituted for the accomplished artist whose art and skills have been recognized as superior. Anyone in the Master Classification will remain in this Classification until they volunteer to move the Grand Master display only Division. Anyone entering this Classification can also enter the Open Theme Division.