KGS News August 2013

Election Results

Who's on First? - Election of officers was held at our last membership meeting.  Please welcome our new Vice-President Leann Scott (Henderson, KY), and directors Nona Boughman (Louisville, KY), Lois Platt (Taylorsville, KY) and Vernon Prather (Worthville, KY).  Thanks go out to Lois for her work as past VP, to Jan Banta-Briseño for her continuing work as Membership Secretary, and past directors Doug Durso, Mina McLean, Fred Merida and Tracy Pace (who has worked tirelessly at our shows - thanks Tracy!!). See a complete list of officers, with contact information, by clicking Our Officers in the gray area on the right side of the page.

Coming Up

Fall Membership Meeting - Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 10:00 am.
Join us for some fun and some work. Lois Platt will share her techniques for making mosaic-style Christmas ornaments. Bring an ultra-fine black Sharpie pen, a liner brush, and a pencil. Lois will provide ornamental gourds, paints, and other supplies. We will also have a short business meeting. We will be meeting at the Sanctuary Art Center. The address is 95 East Main Street, Taylorsville, KY.  It is at the intersection of Hwy 44 and Hwy 55 in Taylorsville. There is a large metal sculpture of a gourd next to the building.

Gourd Education Day - Saturday, October 26, 2013, 12:30 pm.
Back by popular demand, Marla Helton will be doing a GED class on making a wall hanging - a Wild Woman or a Wild Horse. You can embody your wild side (or that of someone you love), or create the perfect Derby decor or gift! Check the Workshops tab, or click here for more details.  Don't miss it!

Gourd Workshops - Friday and Saturday, November 8-9, 2013, 9:00 am and 2:00 pm sessions both days
Sherry Briscoe will be sharing a wide variety of techniques in the four workshops she will be presenting.  Whether you want to delve into finishes or into coiling and weaving techniques, there is something for you. Check the Workshops tab, or click here for complete workshop information.  Be there!!

More Gourd Doings
If you need another "gourd fix", we've been contacted by the folks at the Haldeman Hayes Crossing Community Center in Morehead to let us know that they are holding a gourd show September 21, 2013.  Details are available on the Haldeman Hayes Crossing Community Center website. Lloyd Dean (606) 784-5162 is the contact for the event.

And don't forget to check the AGS website for a listing of upcoming shows for other American Gourd Society Chapters.

Other News

2013 Gourd Show Report
Results of the 2013 Kentucky Gourd Art Show are available. We had over 550 entries in the show. Thanks to all of you who participated. Special Awards went to many deserving recipients.  You can find a list of those winners by clicking here.  Special thanks go to Amy Cuenca and Patrice Will for their work with students at Crossroads Elementary School in Mount Washington and to Dianna Williams for her work with the students at Nelson County High School in Bardstown.

Almost 90 Fourth graders created both functional and decorative gourd art pieces during a recent 5 day residency with artist Patrice Will. This gourd opportunity was made possible through a VSA Kentucky Arts Inclusion grant. Music teacher Amy Cuenca, BMEd, MS began the application process last summer, and coordinated the event at her school with Principal Kim Sego. Fourth graders in Mrs. Reibert's class made gourd birdhouses with a perch. Mrs. Beaton's class made gourd money banks complete with rubber stoppers. And Mrs. West's students made gourd shakers, filled with their choice of popcorn, rice or small pebbles. Several extra birdhouses and gourd shakers were decorated in a community fashion for the school courtyard and music classroom.    Read more...  

Though the show may seem to have ended only a few days ago, we are already making progress in planning the 2014 show. If you have inputs for the show, please forward them to Janet Barnett at her new email address, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  If you have pictures of the show to be included on the website, please contact our webmaster, Carol Bishop, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (no, she hasn't moved over to TWC yet).

In Memoriam
It is with sadness that I report the passing of Winford Sweazy, the husband of our treasurer, Marilyn Sweazy. Winford was an occasional gourd grower, but devoted his efforts to plants of the edible variety, particularly tomatoes. You may view his obituary by clicking here. Please remember Marilyn in your prayers.