2026 Gourd and Fine Arts Festival

Presented by:

Friday, September 25^th 10:00 – 4:00
(pre-registered classes only)

Saturday, September 26^th 10:00 – 5:00
Sunday, September 27^th 10:00 – 4:00

The 2026 Gourd and Fine Arts Festival will be held at American Legion Post #108

11401 American Legion Drive
Jackson, CA

There will be the Northern California CGS Gourd Competition, 3 days of classes, gourd and fine arts vendors, a gourmet food truck, a make-and-take, as well as demonstrations throughout the weekend, and more!

Northern California Gourd Competition

During the festival, the California Gourd Society will be hosting their Northern California CGS Gourd Competition, with the prizes awarded to the best gourds these categories.

Please note: the categories for Novice and Intermediate Division are “Technique-Based”, and the categories for the Advanced and Masters Division are “Theme-Based”. See application for all details.

2026 Special Category: Happy 250^th Birthday to the USA

Each division may participate in this special category to celebrate our Country’s 250th birthday. Any medium may be used. Each division will be judged on their creativity on this theme and will receive a ribbon. See application for more information.

Festival Activities

Featured Instructors

Lisa Baurmeister

Lisa, a self-taught artist, has always kept one foot in the door of art, while concentrating on her professional career, as an Executive Assistant. When it was time for her high-tech career to end; her Artistic career began. Then she found the Gourd. But it wasn’t until joining her local gourd patch in 2016, that she really immersed herself in the world of gourd art. Since then, Lisa has won three, “Best of Show,” three “People’s Choice” and a 2nd place finish in the 2016 ASG Artistry of the Year award. Lisa has committed herself to all-things-gourds by volunteering with her patch, the California Gourd Society, as Editor of the Golden Gourd Newsletter and Contributing Editor for the AGS Magazine’s “Featured Artist” column. In 2017 she was certified as an AGS Competition Judge and judges every chance she gets. Now, in 2020, Lisa is in her second year of teaching others the joy of Gourd Art. To learn more about Lisa and her gourd art adventures, go to www.lisabaurmeister.com.

Olive Moore

Olive has been creating gourd art since 2007 which has won many awards in local and State competition. She enjoys growing her own gourds. She also teaches gourd classes throughout California and in Arizona. Her artwork has been featured in the American Gourd Society publication “The Gourd Magazine”. Olive is currently the president of the California Gourd Society. She is also a Certified Judge Trainer with the American Gourd Society and judges at most gourd competition events held in California.

Joyce Campbell

Joyce Campbell had a chance meeting with gourds over 25 years ago, and it changed her life completely! Art was always a big part of her world, but there is something different about gourds. The gourd offers a gateway to many disciplines leading to endless possibilities. To master gourd art, she learned to wood burn, carve, coil, dye, filagree cut and so much more. Her time is now spent teaching, competing, doing gallery work and festivals, talking to a wide variety of groups and, some years, even growing her own manipulated gourds. Gourd art offers something for everyone at every level of expertise. It accommodates various styles and direction. That is quite a lot to say about a humble little gourd grown in your garden. It truly is Nature’s gift to the artist!

Vendors

Come see our Gourd and Fine Arts vendors, as well as a booth of undecorated gourds for purchase so you can create your own gourd art at home!

Location

The 2026 Gourd and Fine Arts Festival will be held at American Legion Post #108

11401 American Legion Drive
Jackson, CA

Nearby Amenities

In addition to the festival, Amador County has many restaurants, places to see, and things to do. Some common locations are listed below, but you may also want to contact the Amador County Chamber of Commerce. Keep in mind that this is a popular time of year, so book early!

Featured Classes

Friday Classes

Saturday Classes

Sunday Classes