Online Exhibit - Gourd Art

Gourd art involves creating works of art using hard-shell gourds left to dry over a period of months before the woody surface is suitable for decorating. Gourd surfaces may be carved, painted, sanded, burned, dyed, and polished. Gourd art has been a traditional craft for centuries in many parts of the world, especially among the indigenous peoples of the Americas. This exhibit shows some of the innovative and creative ways artists from around the world transform different gourd shapes and sizes into new forms - dolls, instruments, sculptures, and masks.