The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley (MSV) will host the Virginia Gourd Show & Sale from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13. Admission to the show and sale is free.
The show will feature the work of Virginia gourd artisans and gourd luminaries, birdhouses, bowls, ornaments, and more will be available for purchase. Raw gourds will be also available for purchase. Grown in Delmar, Maryland, the raw gourds—cleaned and ready for use—are suitable for arts and crafts or decorating and will range in size from large bushel gourds to small jewelry-size gourds.
While browsing displays of gourd art available for purchase, event attendees will have the opportunity to converse with artisans and learn about the difference between edible and inedible gourds. The event will also feature a people’s choice gourd competition with the theme of “Gourdigami” in honor of the outdoor exhibition ORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN on view in the MSV gardens through Sunday, November 13.
Organized by the Virginia Lovers’ Gourd Society (VLGS), the Virginia Gourd Show & Sale has taken place in various area venues for 19 years. This weekend marks the fifth year that the event is being held at the MSV. The show and sale will take place on the first floor of the MSV galleries building and there is no fee to attend the event. Regular admission rates apply to visit the MSV galleries and gardens.
Based in Stephens City, the VLGS is dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of gourd gardening, encouraging the use of gourds in arts and crafts, and supporting gourd agriculture.
A regional cultural center, the MSV is located at 901 Amherst Street in Winchester, Virginia. The MSV includes a galleries building that presents permanent and rotating exhibitions, the Glen Burnie House, seven acres of formal gardens, and The Trails at the MSV, a free-admission art park open daily from 7 a.m. to dusk. Additional details about the MSV are available at www.theMSV.org or by calling 540-662-1473, ext. 235.