ourdeouAs
rt
Mary Coy
As good luck would have A Little about Gourds
it, the first meeting of art Prior to this project, I knew noth-
club this year brought ing about the small colorful gourds
with it more than the I bought every fall for decorative
usual number of enthusiastic stu- purposes. I have since learned they
dents, three unexpected, but very are of the cucurbita type. I had seen
welcome parent volunteers, and a a few gourd birdhouses (legenaria
new dynamic to the room. One par- type) at local craft shows, but didn’t
ent was a dedicated veteran from the give much thought to the drying
previous year. One owned a farm. and cleaning
One was an artist. How lucky could process needed
I be? The artist spied a new book on to transform
gourd art (The Complete Book of this fruit into a
Gourd Craft by Ginger Summit and piece of art.
Jim Widess) that I had just bought It takes about
as inspiration for my eighth grade six months or
ceramics unit. more for the
“I do gourd art and I can help if gourd to dry
you’re interested,” she said. The completely. During that time, the
veteran was, as usual, willing gourd becomes lighter in weight
and enthusiastic to do anything I and hardens up. The seeds inside
needed. And the mom who owned rattle if the gourd is shaken and
the farm offered to bring in refresh- the color turns from green to dark
ments for the following week. and moldy. When completely dry,
Within five minutes the structure the gourd is cut and the insides are
of my club had changed, my origi- scraped out (wear gloves).
nal project (a papier-mâché sculp- To remove the mold, soak the
ture) was potentially being put on gourd in a mixture of water and bit
hold and my enthusiasm tripled. I of bleach and lightly scrub with
had been given a gift. I had help! an abrasive pad. Once dry, gourds
can be lightly sanded, cut, painted,
wood-burned, drilled, and decorated.
Back to art club. If anyone had
told me that in order to begin the
project the following week I would
have to find twenty-seven gourds
(where?), dry them (how?), and pay
$3 to $5 for each of them, I would
have politely declined and stayed
with my papier-mâché project.
However, my art
mom assured me
she would do the
scouting, procur-
ing, bartering
for, and even the
cleaning of already
dried gourds if our
group was inter-
ested. How could I resist? Check
with local farm stands, other gourd
artists in your area or the Internet
for gourd suppliers. One Web site is
listed at the end of this article.
Prior to this project, I knew
nothing about the small
colorful gourds I bought
every fall for decorative
purposes.
Beginning the Project
Prior to students actually working
on the gourds, my art volunteer
and I did a joint demonstration
on the process students would go
through to create their project. She
brought in and explained her gourd
