Save the Date - 2026 Gourd Festival - October 23-25, 2026
OCTOBER 25, 2026 - Sunday Morning Classes
Scream for gourd Ice cream!
SU-AM-1
Cara Bevan
We all scream for ice cream! During this class we’ll be combining multiple gourds together to create a tall, whimsical, and life-like ice cream sculpture. We'll use many pre-cut gourds in random shapes and sizes and I'll teach you how to sculpt the fun tasty details using both quikwood and apoxie sculpt clays. Then we’ll be painting them whatever delicious flavors you like! They'll be attached to a wooden base for easy display. You'll leave with one tall and delicious looking gourd ice cream cone! [Calorie free! Don’t eat the gourds though, they’re crunchy]
Cost: Member: $60.00 Nonmember: $65.00
Sunday 10:00-4:00
Min: 3
Max 12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Sculpting tools
Smoked and printed
SU-AM-2
Lisa Mohr
For this class you will learn how to smoke a gourd and print on it using leaves. If you choose you may leave the prints off of it. You will finish your gourd with a paper rush rim with leaves on twine woven in with the paper rush. You will have options on colors for the gourd, paper rush, and leaf prints.
Cost: Member: $55.00 Nonmember: $60.00
Sunday 10:00-4:00
Min: 4
Max:12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Apron and heat gun
Fly Away with Me
SU-AM-3
Diane Ricker
The deep blues against the yellow ochres give a nice contrast into this cut gourd. An artificial illumination provided by you on the inside would be very dramatic.
Cost: Member: $65.00 Nonmember: $70.00
Sunday 10:00-4:00
Min: 1
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: 5/0 liner brush is a must have. Other brushes needed: ½” angled brush, #8 filbert (looks like a cats tongue), #3 or #5 round. Teacher will have some brushes for sale.
"Long in the Tooth"
SU-AM-5
Leslie Meier
Friendly, scary, creepy, snaggle-tooth, gap-toothed, fanged, big, small, sharp - so many teeth, so little time! In this class you will learn about different tools, techniques, and materials that can be used for making gourd creations! Students will be provided a pre-cut cannonball gourd and all materials to craft a creature with a mouth full of teeth.
Cost: Member: $75.00. Nonmember: $80.00
Min: 1
Max: 6
Skill Level: All
All materials provided by instructor
Any additional desired carving details/priming/painting of your creature would be completed at home
Buffalo Thunder Drum
SU-AM-6
Donna Pulley
Make a thunder drum using a club gourd. Wood burn a symbol of Native Americans, the majestic Buffalo (patterns for a bear or phoenix will also be available ). Carve and stipple and add a turquoise cabochon.
Cost: Member: $60.00. Nonmember: $65.00
Time: Sunday 10:00-4:00
Min: 6
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Student Must Bring: Carver and bits , wood burner and pens/tips, apron, mask, heat gun, saw
Carved bonsai with Cut-outs
SU-AM-7
Troy Tatum
Come and have a fun filled class improving your carving skills by power carving this bonsai tree with cut-outs on a gourd. The class will include a detailed discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of the different types of carving machines as well as a look at the types and shapes of carving burrs and the use of each type. You will learn to transfer a furnished pattern to a gourd, learn to outline the pattern and cut away the excess gourd surface, define which areas are high and low, how to create the appearance of depth and how to rough out as well as finish the carving. We will not add the coloring to the gourd in class, but instructions will be provided.
Time: Sunday 10:00-4:00
Cost: Member: $75.00 Nonmember $80. 00
Min: 5
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Students will needs to bring a micro carver or Dremel type flex-shaft carving tool with all the carving burrs you have. (We will discuss their uses). Also bring a micro gourd saw and small blades. Bring a breathing mask or respirator, eye protection, your gourd tool kit and a desire to learn and have fun.