Featured Artist Fall 2021

Sherry Hunga-Moore of San Diego County Gourd Artists

Halloween Party

I love Halloween, and Gourds just make it more fun! Since I live in a small bungalow house space is at a premium. So, I started to go vertical. Using paper towel holders for my smaller totems then floor lamps for my larger-than-life size ones. I am always on the lookout for unusual stands or fixtures to utilize.

Introduction - By Libbi Salvo

Our Fall featured artist is Sherry Hunga-Moore, AKA Sherry Pumpkin. Sherry is well known to many of us as she has been actively involved with CGS for many years. She is currently the President of SDCGA, a position she has held for many years, and we hope she will continue to do so for life. Sherry is also the Ad billing coordinator for the Golden Gourd and the Project Coordinator for CGS. Sherry has more energy than anyone I know; she juggles multiple roles flawlessly while performing major home renovations alongside her son and is always on hand to help her family and friends. Sherry seems to gravitate to vintage style painting, especially for Fall and Halloween. You will see many of her creations in the accompanying Halloween feature, where Sherry details how she became interested in gourding.

My Gourd Journey - By Sherry Hunga-Moore

I have been involved with Gourd Art for about thirty years now. At the time, I had a very stressful job and decided to take a gourd workshop provided by our city. I figured it was time to find an outlet to help me relax. My local newspaper advertised a one-day class with a very appealing picture, and the gourd project looked like pottery; plus, it could be completed in a day. Gourds have such a natural form of beauty that encourages creativity. The teacher gave us directions to Welburn’s Gourd Farm, so I decided to venture out to the farm to buy some gourds. The weekend I went just happened to be during their yearly festival at their old house. There were classes spread out all over the yard and millions of gourds in racks waiting just for me! It was Gourd Heaven! I soon joined the Fallbrook Gourd Patch and became consumed with this art form.

You all know how it can be to try every new technique, buy all the tools, and take every class available. Jeepers, I had more tools than ever and running out of room! I soon started signing up for street fairs and festivals to sell my art to make more room for more. I was beginning to think I had an addiction. But soon realized it was more than creating the actual art; it was meeting and playing with my gourd friends. Our Patch started to have events like sleepovers, retreats, and play days.

I have since become the President of the San Diego County Gourd Artists, AKA Fallbrook Gourd Patch. We have over 75 members and continue to seek out adventure and make new friends. Over the many years, my love and appreciation have grown for the art form and my many friends.

Peace be onto you, Sherry Hunga-Moore (AKA Sherry Pumpkin)