American Gourd Society Judge Online Training Class: Monday August 17th and Tuesday August 18th 10 am to 1 pm (Phoenix time )

Arizona Gourd Society will reimburse members the $20 fee if you complete the judge training class and serve at least once as a judge or clerk in 2027 or 2028. You are reimbursed after serving as a judge or clerk. The fee goes to pay for the official badge. The class is held via zoom. All training materials are included and will be sent digitally. If you are interested contact Terry Noxel,

August 19, 2026: Kumihimo Demonstration: at the Southwest Gourd Patch monthly meeting. Guests welcome

Wuertz Farm Gourd Festival February 5, 6 & 7, 2027 & 2027 Arizona Gourd Society Competition

April 5-8 2027 Carefree Gourding in the Desert

Carefree Gourding in the Desert Retreats

In March of 2024 and again in 2025, the Arizona Gourd Society organized a retreat for its members at the Spirit of the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona.

We all arrive Monday night in time for a delicious dinner and visiting with friends. Classes were offered on Tuesday and Wednesday, or attendees were welcome to bring their own projects to work on. After dinner there were short demos and socializing. Then we all head home on Thursday with new ideas and skills.

2025 Retreat

2025 Carefree Gourding in the Desert attendees

2024 Retreat

2024 Carefree Gourding in the Desert attendees

2020 Virtual Show and Tell

During the winter/spring of 2020 when we couldn’t meet in person we gathered on Zoom. Participants sent in a photo of the gourd they had finished and shared with the group how they completed piece. Below are the photos from our three gatherings.

January 2020

: Jill Atwood

: Mary Brye

: Leonie Caron

: Diane Haugen

: Julie Hemer

: Cheryl Kroll

: Pattie Langton

: Mike Munter

: Mary Sampietro

: Mary Sampietro

: Deb Spirito

: LuElla Wald

March 2020

: JILL ATWOOD

: LYNNE EAST-ITKIN

: BONNIE GIBSON

: NORA GRAF

: SHARON HAYDEN

: STEVE HAYDEN

: CHERYL KROLL

: BETTIE LAKE

: DEB SPIRITO

: GRETCHEN STARKS-MARTIN

: VICKI MCKENNA

: DARLENE TETARENKO

: LU WALD

: LOLLIE YANCEY

: LOLLIE YANCEY

April 2020

: LYNNE EAST-ITKIN

: LYNNE EAST-ITKIN

: BONNIE GIBSON

: DORIS GOSNEY

: JULIE HEMER

: PATTIE LANGTON

: DARLENE SAUCEDO

: DEB SPIRITO

: GRETCHEN STARKS-MARTIN

: RENEE TURNER

: KAREN WOLLSCHEID

Sierra Vista Play Date-September 2019

We had two classes during our play date. Lyn Brown taught “Arizona Hotties” (looks a bit like a paper doll, using gourd shards). Mary Brye lead “Working with Copper”, and explained embossing, flame painting, patina and antique finishes. Both women are members of the Valley Patch in Green Valley.

Tucson Play Date-July 2019

Members of AZGS had hands-on demonstrations to learn from Terri LaBroose and Lyn Brown, Diane West, and Dale Lyall

: Surface Teneriffe Beading – Terri LaBrosse and Lyn Brown

: Huichol Beading – Diane West

: Leather Lacing – Dale Lyall

Sun Lakes Play Date-November 2018

We had a great time at the November 17, 2018 Play Date in Sun Lakes, organized by the Spirit of the Desert Gourd Patch. Thirty attendees gathered to create a wonderful day with two terrific demos, yummy lunch, and lots of visiting time.

Prescott Play Day – May 2018