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Gourd Art by Featured Artist, Colleen Platt Each year four top gourd artists are selected to be "Featured Artists" at Annual International Gourd Art Festival.

One of Bill Colligen's popular new gourd styles.

Sample of gourd art created by one of the Annual International Gourd Art Festival's top exhibiting artists, Bonnie Gibson.

The Annual International Gourd Art Festival, happens one weekend during the month of June at the 100-acre Welburn Gourd Farm in Southern California, and close to 500 people attend.

“Our phones are practically ringing non-stop,” says Daniel Barajas. “People want to know everything from when the Hawaiian dancers are performing to how gourds grow.”

Among the attractions at the annual festival is the Gourd Art Competition with over 300 original art pieces, the live entertainment incorporating gourd musical instruments, and the new Gourd Crafting Arena, where both adults and kids have the opportunity to create their own gourd masterpiece.

A student creates a striking image in the "Woodburning with Gourds" class. Full-day gourd art classes are offered before the Annual International Gourd Art Festival. The 'Woodburning' class is one of the most popular among students.

Hard-shell gourds, which were once considered only useful for making birdhouses and craft items, have now emerged as a popular canvas for fine artwork, some selling for upwards of $25,000. With their durable, wood-like shell, gourds make an extremely versatile canvas ideal for painting, carving, sanding, dying, pyrography (burning), sculpting, and even for weaving upon.

The Welburn Gourd Farm, recognized as the world's largest supplier of organic hard-shell gourds, is located about mid-way between the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego in the picturesque valley community of De Luz in northern San Diego County. The farm is open to the public year round and hosts the International Gourd Art Festival every June.

Over 50 gourd art exhibitors, including international artist from Canada and Peru, are participated in the 2005 event. For more information call 760-728-4271 or visit www.gourdfestival.com.

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