California Gourd Society Gourd Competition
hosted by
Welburn Gourd Farm
May 22nd-25th

For Detailed CGS Guidelines Click Here

Entry Details

• Open to All: Complete online registration by May 16, 2025.
  • Early registration: $6 for CGS members, $10 for non-members
  • After May 16th: $10 for CGS members, $15 for non-members
  • No fee for Youth or Grand Master entries (form still required)
• One entry per form
  • Use online registration link:

• Mailed entries: Must arrive by May 19th, 2025
• CGS + Welburn Gourd Farm reserves the right to photograph and video each entry and use in the promotion of the CGS Art Competition.

Submission Requirements

• Place your piece in the correct category among the five divisions. Detailed descriptions provided below.
• Pack gourds securely and include picture/diagram for multiple entries or pieces with parts to assemble.

On Site Delivery + Pick-Up

• Arrive by 10am May 22nd, 2025. Late entries will not by judged.
• Any entries after May 16th will be entered manually with a written form at the entry desk.
• Pick up Sunday, May 25th, 2025 between 3:00pm-4:00pm.
• Claim tickets required
• Early removal disqualifies entries for next year.
• Unclaimed gourds after 4:30pm will be donated to the California Gourd Society.

Mailing Instructions

• Purchase 2 shipping labels (one for delivery, one for return) at a carrier of your choice.
  • Enclose return shipping label inside package
• Affix delivery postage to outside of package
• Email tracking information to jaime@welburngourdfarm.com
• Insurance recommended. Welburn Gourd Farm and CGS is not responsible for any damage caused in shipping. Please ensure your piece(s) is packed well.
• Mail to:

Welburn Gourd Farm
ATTN: CGS Comp
40635 De Luz Road
Fallbrook, CA 92028

Security

California Gourd Society and Welburn Gourd Farm will provide security measures, but we will assume no responsibility for damage or theft of entries.

1.   Gourds must predominate. Entries must have a predominate focus of the medium or technique for the entry category. For example, if entered in Painting, the painting must be the focal point of the piece.
2.   Gourds previously entered in a CGS competition and judged by AGS guidelines will not be permitted.
3.   Craft/artwork for each entry must be the original work of the person who is the entrant. Pieces can not be collaborations of two or more artists.
4.   Only one entry per category is permitted.
5.   Class gourds and gourds created by the use of a tutorial are permitted only in the Class Gourd Category.
6.   The Head Judge reserves the right to disqualify or reassign entries that do not meet category criteria. S/He may also change, subdivide, or combine categories as necessary.
7.   Copyright designs such as Disney characters or copies of other artist’s work may not be used on entries unless written permission is granted by the artist or copyright holder. Copyright free designs may be used.
8.   All participants agree to allow photographs and videos to be taken of displayed items.
9.   Not all categories may be included in each division.
10.   Category definitions may be the same for Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Master Craftsman, but will be judged according to Division level.
11.   Laser work and fractal burning on gourds will not be judged in the Gourd Competition. If a gourd contains these techniques, that portion of the work will not be considered in the judging.
12.   Notecards may be submitted to explain or document process used to create artwork.

The California Gourd Society will coordinate all judging. Judging will follow the American Gourd Society judging guidelines. The overall appearance of the entry, quality of craftsmanship, difficulty and level of effort as well as the use of featured technique/theme will be considered.   

Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each category at the judge’s discretion. A category with only one entry does not necessarily guarantee a 1st place. Winners can choose to receive a ribbon or pin for 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place awards. 

Best of Show – Award given to preferred entry of BOD.  

Best of Division – One entry out of all first place entries in a given division. 

Judges Choice – Award given by each judge to their favorite entry.

People’s Choice – Award given to the piece that receives the most votes from the public viewing.

Read the descriptions below to see which division is the best fit for you!

Any type of gourd art, using a single gourd or combination of gourds may be entered. No entry fee in this Division. The art piece may be from a seminar, class, or pattern. Limited to one entry per person.

*Youth exhibitors may enter in the Novice or Intermediate Divisions. Regular fees will apply.

1. Y-1 JUNIOR (Ages 12 and under) – Functional or decorative gourd using any technique.

2. Y-2 TEEN (Ages 13-17) - Functional or decorative gourd using any technique.

Division Descriptors

• For gourd crafters/artists that are relatively new to gourd crafting and have not won a 1^st place as a Novice.
• Has not taught a gourd class for a fee.
• The entrant may have no extensive experience or expertise in any art form that has been used on an entry, such as painting, carving, wood-burning. 
• If you have won a major award in a juried art show or won Best of Novice Division you must move up to the next division.
• Participation in the Novice division is limited to two years.

Categories

1. N-1 Pyrography

2. N-2 Carved/Filigree/Fretwork

3. N-3 –Functional /Wearable Art

4. N-4 Painted or colored

5. N-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled

6. N-6 Anything Goes

7. N-7 Sculpture

For a detailed description on each category, click here.

Division Descriptors

• For artists who understand and use basic techniques.
• Entrants should not have won a major award in a gourd show or a juried art show.
• They may have sold gourds but have not taught a gourd class for a fee. 
• If you win a Blue Ribbon in a specific category, you must move up to the next Division in that category. 
• If you have won 5 Blue Ribbons in the intermediate Division, you must move up to Advanced Division. 
• Once you win a Best of Division or Best of Show in this Division, you must move up to the Advanced Division.

Categories

1. I- 1 Pyrography

2. I-2 Carved /Filigree/Fretwork

3. I-3 Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function

4. I- 4 Painted or colored

5. I-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled

6. I-6 Anything Goes

7. I-7 Sculpture

For a detailed description on each category, click here.

Division Descriptors

• For artists who have progressed to a more complicated level of work and have a good grasp of multiple techniques and finishing skills.

• They are creating more distinctive, original work and are ready to compete with a wider range of competitors.

• They may have taught a gourd class for a fee but have not won top awards in art/gourd competitions.

• Once you have won Best of the Division or Best of Show in this competition, you must move up to the next division.

Categories

1. A- 1 Pyrography

2. A-2 Carved /Filigree/Fretwork

3. A-3 Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function

4. A- 4 Painted or colored

5. A-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled

6. A-6 Anything Goes

7. A-7 Sculpture

For a detailed description on each category, click here.

Division Descriptors

• The Master Division artist’s work shows excellent use of all techniques and finishing skills.

• The work is of original design.

• Their work may have been shown in galleries, previously won top awards in art/gourd com-petitions, and have reached the level of fine art.

• The artist should have won “Best of Advanced Division” to move up to the Masters Division.

• NOTE: Artists entering this Division are NOT allowed to enter Novice or Intermediate Divisions. Artists in this Division who are learning or perfecting a new skill and wish to enter a gourd utilizing that technique may enter that item in the Advanced Division. 

• Master Artists may include a biography with their entry form, which will be displayed with the entry. (Please furnish frame for display).

Categories

1. M- 1 Pyrography

2. M-2 Carved /Filigree/Fretwork

3. M-3 Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function

4. M- 4 Painted or colored

5. M-5 Fiber/Weaving/Coiled

6. M-6 Anything Goes

7. M-7 Sculpture

For a detailed description on each category, click here.

Division Descriptors

• For the artist who consistently creates quality artwork that is solely the artist’s own concept.
• These artists have reached an artistic skill level beyond the master’s level and have won “Best of Division in Masters and Best of Show” awards at previous shows.
• The artistic skills and techniques are considered superior and their creativity inspirational.
• The artists work will not be judged, but will have a dedicated space in the competition to display their best or more recent works.

To Qualify for the Grand Master Division:

1. Entries are exceptional examples of gourd art in skills, techniques, and creativity.

2. An artist must have won either Best of Show or Best of Master Division, or both, at some time in the past.

Artists who qualify need to contact competition coordinators and notify of their intent to participate six weeks prior to show.

For this competition, we are allowing gourds completed in a class or by tutorial. Entries in this category are not eligible for Best of Show, Best of Division or People’s Choice.  

Section A: Simple class gourds –Novice level. Work completed in class in one session.
Section B: Complex class gourds –Novice level. Work completed in multiple days in and out of class or in a multiple day class.
Section C: Simple class gourds –Intermediate level. Work completed in class in one session.
Section D: Complex class gourds –Intermediate level. Work completed in multiple days in and out of class or in a multiple day class.  
Section E: Simple class gourds –Advanced/Master Craftsman level. Work completed in class in one session.
Section F: Complex class gourds – Advanced/Master Craftsman level. Work completed in multiple days in and out of class or in a multiple day class.  

Detailed descriptions of categories

Pyrography - Wood-burning must predominate, but stain, dye or a small amount of color may be added to enhance the design.

Carved/Filigree/Fretwork - Relief-carved, to create texture, chipped, chiseled or power-carved, penetration or cutting entirely through the shell is allowed. May embellish with color. A whole or opened gourd may be used.

Functional /Wearable Art- Gourds that have a function – playable, wearable or utilitarian. May use multiple techniques.

Painted or colored – Whole or cut gourd. Variety of coloring mediums allowed:  paint, stains, dyes, inks, oil pastels, pencils, crayons, etc.

Fiber/Weaving/Coiled – a gourd woven or coiled with mixed, natural, or man-made materials. Any weaving technique.

Anything Goes – this category is open to your imagination. Unique gourd art that does not fit into any other category. Any combination of techniques and use of any media allowed. 

Sculpture – the entry will be a joining or combining of one or more gourds, in whole or pieces to make a 3D sculpture.  The gourd should be predominant. Clay or wood filler may be use in sculpting on gourd surface but should cover no more than 30% of the gourd surface.  Additional techniques may be used to complete the design and limited embellishments can be added.

Accessories or Embellishments Any material added to the crafted gourd to complete the exhibit.

Artificial or Man-made Accessories/Embellishments Any material added to the crafted gourd that is not natural, such as artificial flowers, plastics, plastic eyes, or manufactured items. (See also Natural Accessories.)

Artificial Sinew A waxed nylon imitation of natural sinew (animal tendon) used in beading, sometimes used in place of cotton thread. Artificial sinew will be allowed on all entries.

Base A support or stand that holds a gourd at the proper angle or position. It may be metal, wood or a manufactured turn-table but the base will not be considered an accessory of the crafted gourd.

Basket A gourd with the top cut off with a carrying handle attached or cut so that part of the gourd remains to function as a handle.

Beading The technique of using beads to apply a design to a gourd. Beads may be applied with beeswax, embedded in recessed holes, strung and wrapped around, or sewn to the gourd. Beads are made of plastic, glass, and/or natural material, i.e. shell, wood, clay or seeds.

Bowl A gourd with the top cut off (or some portion cut off) to give the appearance of a container.

Burned Using a Flame (i.e., small torch) to char or change the color of the gourd surface (See also Pyrography/Wood-burning.)

Carved The removal of a portion of the outer surface of the shell of a gourd, exposing the undersurface to create a design or texture in relief, usually done with a power tool.

Chip Carving Carving done with gouging tools to “chip” out small pieces of gourd to create a pattern or design on the surface of the gourd.

Clear Finish Any finish, such as varnish, shellac, wax or oil, which enhances the overall appearance of the gourd but adds no color (except the slight natural darkening that may occur).

Coiled Use of pine needles or grasses, or other materials, wrapped and held in place by thread, raffia or sinew to cover rims of bowls or create designs on gourds.

Color/Coloring Using any medium that adds to, enhances, or changes the natural appearance of the gourd’s surface. Some examples of color media are stains, dyes, inks, oil pastel pencils, crayons, colored pencils, felt tip pens, acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolors, colored waxes, etc.

Cut Gourd Cutting all the way through the gourd shell to create a hole or opening (as opposed to surface cuts as in carving). The cut or openings are incorporated into the design.

Embellishment/Accessories Any material that is added to the gourd to enhance the overall design and appearance of the gourd. (See also Artificial Accessories and Natural Accessories.)

Filigree/Fretwork An intricate, interlaced, decorative design (of holes or other shapes) cut into and through the shell of the gourd, usually done with power tools.

Functional An item fashioned to be used. For example, gourd pitcher that actually holds water and has a functional spout and handle.

Medium/Media Material used for artistic expression, such as paint, dye, ink, clay, beads, etc.

Natural Accessories Any material added to the crafted gourd that is natural. Examples include linen/cotton thread, grasses, pine needles, seeds pods, shells, stones, bone, feathers, etc.

Pyrography/Wood-burning Burning a design (lines and shading) on a gourd with the use of an electric wood-burning tool.

Predominate The word “predominate” (when used in Competition Class description to indicate the amount of medium or technique to be used on the crafted gourd) means that the majority of the crafted gourd surface should exhibit the required medium or technique.

Weaving Interlacing various materials attached to the gourd, such as grasses, cords, natural fibers, etc. Weaving techniques include coiling, twining, twill, over/under and Teneriffe.