WHO MAY ENTER - Anyone may enter, however the entry fee is higher for nonmembers of the TGS, with the exception of the Youth Division.  Entry fee is also higher if Entry Application is postmarked after October 3, 2011, including applications for the Youth Division.

ENTRY FEES - Fee apply to each entry.

TGS Members - Early: entry form postmarked by October 3, 2011 - $2.
  Late: entry form received at the door or postmarked after deadline - $5.

Nonmembers - Early: entry form postmarked by October 3, 2011 - $5.
  Late: entry form received at the door or postmarked after deadline - $10.

Youth Division (Under 18 Years) - Early: entry form postmarked by October 3, 2011 - No Fee.
                                        Late: entry form received at the door or postmarked after deadline - $1.

Please note: It is a TGS policy that there are no refunds on canceled entries.  However, there is not a fee for
                      changing categories if your entry has changed and does not meet the category criteria.

TOP AWARDS:

BEST OF SHOW Best Overall

TEXAS AWARD: Runner-up to Best of Show

PEOPLES’ CHOICE:   Voted on by the public

VIP CHOICE:      Chosen by a VIP

BEST OF DIVISION:   There will be a Division Award given in each of the following Divisions:
Growers Division, Youth Division, Crafted/Art Division 1, Crafted/Art Division 2,   Crafted/Art Division 3.

CATEGORY AWARDS:      First, second and third place awards may be given for each category.




DELIVERY/PICKUP OF ENTRIES: Please note that the interior layout of the festival building will be altered from that of previous years.  The competition area will no longer be on the restroom side of the building.  It will move to the opposite end of the building.  Delivery and pickup will be processed at what was the previous festivals' entrance door.  The new festival entrance will be at the door located on the restroom side of the building.

Hand delivered entries will be received on Thursday, October 13, 2011, from 1 pm to 5 pm, at the competition area, Gillespie County Fairgrounds Exhibition Building, Hwy 17 South, Fredericksburg, TX  78624, at which time you will receive a claim ticket which MUST be used when picking up your entries after the show.  All entries must be picked up promptly starting at 3 PM on Sunday, October 16, 2011, in the competition area.   All entries left unclaimed after 4PM on Sunday, October 16, 2011, will become the property of the Texas Gourd Society.

Entries not personally delivered:  The Delivery Form is required for entries not being personally delivered.  It may be sent with the entry application or accompany the delivery. No deliveries will be accepted without this form.

Please read Entry Application Instructions for more information about delivering entries.  Mailing information is on the Entry Application Form.



      COMPETITION GUIDELINES AND RULES
TGS Lone Star Gourd Festival - October 14-15-16, 2011

                                                         GROWERS DIVISION
                                                 

This Division is open to all, but only one entry per category is allowed.

Definitions and General Rules for Fresh and Dried Gourds in Growers Division (as stated in the American Gourd Society Handbook):

Raw gourd - A hollow, dried shell of a fruit in the cucurbitaceae family of plants.

Current season gourd (fresh) - A recently harvested gourd, which still contains the green coloring and water weight it had when harvested. 

Lagenaria -Most hard-shelled gourds are lagenaria, which have white blossoms. 

Ornamental and native Texas gourds - Have yellow flowers.

NOTE:  Gourds must have been grown by the exhibitor/entrant.  Gourds may be left natural or coated with clear (only) wax, varnish, or other finish!  Dried gourds must be from this year or last year's crop and must not have been entered in a TGS show before.  They are not required to have stems unless specifically required by the category.  If present, stem must be washed, with skin and dirt removed from crevices, and the end trimmed.

Only ONE entry per category is allowed.

JUDGING OF THE FOLLOWING SEVEN (7) CATEGORIES:
50% Cultural perfection, quality, cleanlines                                                                                      50% Trueness to type/variety

LAGENARIA - Fresh or dried:  grouping of three (3) different varieties.
ORNAMENTALS - Fresh or dried:  grouping of three (3) different varieties.
THREE-OF-A-KIND - Fresh or dried:  any type of gourds.  Will be judged for uniformity of size, color, and        shape.
LARGEST FRESH OR DRIED - Gourd with largest circumference.
SMALLEST FRESH OR DRIED - Smallest gourd.
      LONGEST FRESH OR DRIED - Measured by straight line between extreme points of gourd.
LONGEST AND STRAIGHTEST FRESH OR DRIED - Dipper or baton-type gourd.


JUDGING OF THE FOLLOWING TWO (2) CATEGORIES:
       50% Cultural perfection, quality, cleanliness and maturity
       50%  attractiveness of arrangement

GOURD DISPLAY FRESH - Arrange many gourds in basket, gourd bowl, or stand-alone group.
       GOURD DISPLAY DRIED - Arrange many gourds in basket, gourd bowl, or stand-alone group.

 
JUDGING OF THE FOLLOWING FOUR (4) CATEGORIES:
       20% Quality, cleanliness
       80% Unusualness, bizarreness, and/or contortedness

UNUSUAL FRESH - The most unusual, bizarre, or contorted gourd due to a natural phenomenon.
       UNUSUAL DRIED - The most unusual, bizarre, or contorted gourd due to a natural phenomenon.
HAND-TRAINED FRESH - For example, gourd(s) tied together, tied with a rope, grown in a mold for unusual bizarre or contorted effect.
HAND-TRAINED DRIED - For example, gourd(s) tied together, tied with a rope, grown in a mold for unusual bizarre or contorted effect.


JUDGING OF THE FOLLOWING ONE (1) CATEGORY:  This category will be judged on overall appearance

STEMMED BEAUTY FRESH OR DRIED - Any variety or cross-pollination, any size, near perfect skin or shell.  MUST have original stem intact.


                                                          YOUTH DIVISION

This is an open division with three (3) designated age groups and basically a single category, Crafted/Art Gourds.  Only ONE entry per youth is allowed.   We welcome submissions from young people!  Awards will be presented in each age group.  Show attendance is not required.

JUDGING OF THE FOLLOWING THREE (3) AGE GROUPS:  The judges will look for creativity, imagination, good idea for type of gourd chosen, and good workmanship.

YOUTH - 8 years and under
YOUTH - 9 to 13 years
YOUTH - 14 to 18 years


                                 CRAFTED/ART GOURD - COMPETITION DIVISIONS


Definitions and General Rules for All Crafted/Art Gourds:

Carving - Any result of removal of a portion of the shell of a gourd exposing the undersurface.  Knives, rotary tools, gouges or any other tools may be used for this general result.

Pyrography - Marking the surface of a gourd by the use of heat, ordinarily using a wood burner system.  Other possibilities are heated metal tools or torches.

Mixed Media - Use of two or more media, such as pyrography, paint, stain, basketry, or carving.

Embellishment - Any decorative item, natural or artificial, attached to a gourd for the purpose of improving the appearance of a gourd
.
Please note the following General Rules (these rules apply to ALL crafted gourd divisions and categories):

•Gourds must predominate

•Entries previously entered in Texas Gourd Society Shows will not be permitted.

•The inside of a cut gourd must be cleaned of membranes and sanded.  Any method or materials may be used to finish the inside of the gourd.  Rims not trimmed must be sanded smoothly.

•Finished gourd entries may be waxed, or coated with varnish, shellac, lacquer, or polyurethane to add a shine and/or to protect the piece.

•When the stem is left on the gourd as part of the entry, it must be finished in relation to the entry.

•Work not meeting category criteria will not be judged.

•Gourds may be purchased for crafting.

•Craft/artwork for each entry must be the work of one person who is the entrant.  The only exception is the stand-alone category Multiple Artisans or Partnership.

•It is permitted to include a stand or hanger to support crafted gourds.  The stand or hanger will not be considered in the judging of the gourd unless it is permanently attached.

•Any stand or hanger or extension cord must be supplied by the entrant.





                CRAFTED/ART GOURD - DIVISIONS 1, 2 & 3 - CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Note:  This is an alphabetical listing of all Division 1, 2 & 3 Crafted/Art Gourd Categories.  Not all of the categories are included in each Division.  Check the Entry Application for the Division you plan to enter for the categories that are offered in that Division.  Unless restrictions are otherwise noted in the category description, anything goes.  In other words, you may use whatever you wish, however you wish to use it:  gourds may be cut or whole, one or more gourds and/or parts of gourds may be used, one or more mediums may be used, any type finish may be used, embellishments may be used, natural or artificial materials may be used, etc.  Also, please refer to the Definitions and General Rules for Crafted/Art Gourds.


ABSTRACT/CONTEMPORARY - Abstract emphasizes lines, colors, generalized or geometrical forms, especially in relationships with each other.  Contemporary is modern with clean lines, simply done.

BASKETS - Must have a handle.  Handle must be made, predominantly, from natural products, such as antler, pine needles, grasses or gourd (carved out, or attached).  Limited use (10% or less) of artificial sinew and other non-natural material is allowed.

BIRDHOUSE OR BIRD FEEDER - May be functional or nonfunctional

CARVED - HAND CARVED, POWER CARVED, CUT, CHISELED, CHIPPED, AND/OR GOUGED, INCLUDING CUT OUTS - Other mediums/embellishments are allowed that enhance the gourd, but carving must predominate.

DOLL - Gourd and/or gourd pieces must be used for head and body.

DOT PAINTING - This method is inspired by the Australian art of the Aborigine and is also seen in other cultures.  Background may be natural, dyed or painted, but dots must predominate.

EARTH'S CREATURES - Any kind of living creature on land, in the sea or in the air, except the human kind. 

FANTASY/WHIMSICAL - Let your imagination run wild...from weird creatures and bump-in-the-night (nightmares) to dainty fairies and mystical unicorns.

FIBERWORKS - Any material may be used, natural or man-made.  Any technique may be used, such as weaving, teneriffe, or coiling.  Gourd may be finished with any medium or as mixed media.  Any type finish is allowed.  Focal point must be on fiberworks.

FINISHES - Any type of finish may be used, such as paints, dyes, stains, inks, colored pencils, silk dye method or wax resist.  Rims may be trimmed with simple weaving/coiling or beading that complement the finish, but no other medium may be used and the finish must predominate.

FUNCTIONAL - May be powered or not powered.  Please note, no wall space or stand is provided for this category.  If it hangs, a stand must be provided or it must be displayed lying on the table.

HOLIDAY - Any holiday.

INTERNATIONAL - A 3x5 card with the name of the Nation that your entry reflects must be provided.  This will be displayed with your entry.  Reminder:  This is for a Nation, not a Continent.  Africa is a Continent, Egypt is a Nation on the Continent of Africa.  Check your geography!

MINIATURE - Must not exceed 3" in height or width, including any embellishments or any stand affixed to the gourd.  Affixed items will be judged.  An unattached stand for display purposes that exceeds the overall 3" measurement may be used and the unattached stand will not be judged.  Gourd may be cut or whole, but must be from a miniature gourd.

MIXED MEDIA - Must include two or more mediums, such as carving, painting, pyrography, etc.  Any type finish is allowed and embellishments are allowed.

MUSICAL:  Instruments must function. 

MY IDEA - Anything that does not fit into any other category.

                                      CRAFTED/ART GOURD -  DIVISIONS 1, 2 & 3

DIVISION 1 - Those who have limited experience in gourd crafting and/or have not had time to fully develop their skills, have not won more than two blue ribbons, and have not won Best of Novice Division.

DIVISION 2 - Those who have developed their skills but have not won top awards and numerous blue ribbons over a period of at least 3 years in Divisions other than Novice (Division 1) or those who have not won a Best of Show or a Texas Award ribbon.

DIVISION 3 - ANYONE may enter Division 3.  However, those who have, over a period of at least 3 years, won numerous blue ribbons in divisions other than Novice or have won top awards should be entering into Division 3.  If you have won a Best of Show or a Texas Award ribbon, you belong in Division 3.

NOTE:  You may only enter into one of these 3 Divisions, so you should decide whether you belong in Division 1, 2 or 3, based upon the description and then review the Entry Application for that Division to see what categories are available.  You may have only one entry per category, but you may enter as many categories as you wish in your Division.

Deciding where to place your entries works on the honor system.  Please be honest with your entries.  Anyone may enter a Division that they feel is higher than their abilities--if you wish to try for a level higher, go for it!-- but entrants should strive to make the competition fair by not entering at a level below their abilities. 
Note:  You might not have felt like you were eligible for Division 3 in previous competitions, but this year you may feel differently.  Please read the descriptions carefully.


                                                    STAND-ALONE CATEGORIES

In addition to the three competition divisions listed above, there are three stand-alone categories, two competition and one non-competition.  These categories are open to all ages and skill levels. 

MULTIPLE ARTISANS OR PARTNERSHIP - A competition stand-alone category eligible for all ribbons except Best of Division.

-  Category Description:   Piece must be the combined work of two or more artists.


OUT OF THE BOX - A competition stand-alone category eligible for all ribbons except Best of Division.

-  Category Description:  A "Challenge" category - something totally weird, wild, crazy, irrational, novel, insane, creative,
   non-conforming, no constraints...in other words, something REALLY unusual and different from anything out there.


SUBJECT OF GOURDS - A non-competition stand-alone category, not part of the overall Competition, because it does not comply with the standards of the American Gourd Society (refer to Rule 1.2 in the AGS Judging Handbook, which states "No entries are allowed that do not include one or more gourds or gourd pieces").  It will be judged separately and is eligible only for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place ribbons.  As it is not part of the competition, it will not be eligible for any other awards.

-  Category Description:   Non-gourd item.  Anything that portrays gourds as a subject.  A few examples: a painting of
   gourds on any item (except a gourd), photographs or drawings of gourds, a small quilt portraying gourds in the fabric.


JUDGING OF CRAFTED/ART GOURDS: Judging will be in accordance with the standards of the American Gourd Society Judging Handbook using Scoring Option B:

    50% Originality:  Overall design/theme, craftsmanship, accessories, artistic quality.
    50% Workmanship:  Neatness and quality, color/finish, balance/scale, overall                        appearance.
    If the quality of the gourd used is poor, judges will reduce their rank-order decision for      that gourd as they deem
    appropriate.

Link to entry applications toward bottom of page


PAINTED - Traditional painting on gourd, such as landscapes, flowers, people, etc.  Rims may be trimmed and embellished, but painting must predominate.

PYROGRAPHY - Translucent finish allowed on burned areas.  Other mediums, finishes and embellishments that enhance the gourd are allowed on areas that are not burned.  Pyrography must show and must predominate.

SCULPTURE - May be ONE gourd or MORE THAN ONE gourd. 

SOUTHWEST/NATIVE AMERICAN INSPIRED - Anything that has been inspired by the Southwest or by any Native American group in the U.S.A.

TEXAS OUR TEXAS - Create a piece of Texas as a tribute to this great state.

VESSELS/VASES/BOWLS/CONTAINERS - Anything that portrays a vessel, vase, bowl or container.

WALL HANGINGS - Any kind of wall hanging, including masks.  Must be ready to hang on wall or have a display stand.  Mounting on board, canvas or in a frame is allowed.  Means of display will not be judged if it not permanently attached.  If a mask, eyes may or may not be cut out. 

WEARABLE - Purses, hats, jewelry, sets of jewelry (sets must be displayed in a box, case, on a board or stand, but the method of display will not be judged).  No masks.



The Texas Gourd Society is not responsible for selling your entries.  If you wish to sell your entries, please have your contact information and/or booth number (no prices) on neatly printed cards and place them next to your entry.  Please remember that Sales Tax must be collected.  Any item sold must remain in the competition area until close of the show.  Delivery arrangements to the buyer must be arranged between the seller and the buyer.

NOTE:  Copyrighted designs, such as Disney characters or copies of other artist’s work, may not be used on entries and will not be accepted, unless written permission is granted by the artist or copyright owner.  Copyright free designs may be used. (Note:  Entries in Crafted/Art Gourd Division 3 must be original work.)

Entries entered in competition are available for photography or sketching by any person or organization.  However, they may not be used by anyone for any income or profit producing activity.  Fair use (newsletters, chapter websites) is allowed.  This is in accordance with the American Gourd Society Judging Handbook.










                                            ENTRY APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

PLEASE READ THE ENTRY APPLICATION CAREFULLY, AS THERE ARE A FEW CHANGES.  PLEASE ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS.   PLEASE MAKE A RECORD FOR YOURSELF OF ALL YOUR ENTRIES, INCLUDING TOTAL PAYMENT AND CHECK NUMBER.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE HAVING SOMEONE ELSE HAND DELIVER THEIR ENTRIES - Please make sure that the mandatory Delivery Form is already filled out BEFORE hand delivery of the entry.  The Entry Application (for ALL) deliveries and the  Delivery Form (if required) MUST be filled out before your entry will be accepted.  PLEASE NOTE: Your time waiting in line to deliver your entries will be much shorter if you mail your Entry Application in advance of the show.  The most time-consuming part of the delivery process is generating Entry Tags.  These Tags will have already been generated if your Application is received before the day of delivery.  Your fee will also be less.

QUESTIONS?   If you have any questions concerning these guidelines and rules, please contact Linda Baker at  830) 896-2557 orl bakerlindalee@gmail.com  Or Michael Cosgrove at (979) 921-0538, email mcosgrove25 @ gmail.com.

If needed, the competition committee will send you a written answer.






































This application is for all Divisions.  Please print all of them.  This includes  tags for your entries.