Colleen McKnight

Spirit of the Desert, an Arizona Gourd Patch based in Sun Lakes, met Dec. 6, 2019, for a potluck Christmas party and gourd ornament exchange. We also elected new officers for the following year. Julie Hemer, president; Thelma Edwards, vice president; Christie Inman, secretary; Pattie Langton, treasurer; Colleen McKnight, past president and communications.

Our patch meets once a month for a business meeting. Join us on the third Thursday of each month in the Sun Lakes Arts and Crafts Room from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. At the next meeting on Jan. 16, 2020, we will talk about our collaborative entry into the Arizona Gourd Society 2020 Competition, and also about our booth at the February Wuertz Gourd Festival. And we will have Show and Share, and then some judges of the state competition will offer their advice.

We also meet Sunday and Monday for workshops in the Painting Room at Oakwood: Sunday 12:30 to 3 p.m., and Monday 8:30 a.m. to noon. These workgroups are a great learning experience, and we have supplies and tools ready to help beginners.

Gourds are called nature’s canvas. Any art you have an interest in, you can do on a gourd. Painting, drawing, wood burning, carving, beading, weaving, embossing… all accent a gourd’s natural beauty. Come by one of our workshops and check it out!

Our patch is open to everyone in the Valley. Dues are $25.00 per year and include both membership in our patch and in the Arizona Gourd Society. All abilities are welcome to join our patch.

For more information, check out www.SpiritDesertGourds.com or come by the workshops on Sunday and Monday.