Great Gourd Baskets Workshop at the Community Arts Center
Saturday, October 27 - 10a - 2p
 
Artists Leslie Henderson and Maggi Rhudy will lead a workshop making gourds into useful and decorative baskets for the fall season on Saturday, October 27 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Participants are invited to bring a favorite fall food and join in the potluck lunch at noon.
 

The workshop will start with a simple jack-o-lantern gourd project, Henderson said.  ³When we move on to the gourd baskets, we will clean and prepare the gourds and show you embellishing techniques.  We will be using a variety of tools and methods including painting, polishing, wood burning, and weaving to turn lowly gourds into beautiful and functional baskets, she said.  These baskets will make wonderful decorations and gifts for the upcoming holidays.

RCCAC will have a variety of gourds on hand for this workshop.  Participants are welcome to bring their own clean and dry gourds.
 
Maggi Rhudy is a freelance artist, tutor and translator, and also an experienced teacher.  With her M.A. degree as well as teaching certification (retired) she has taught in classrooms from Kindergarten through college level.  She will team up with Leslie Henderson for this project.
 
Henderson has been making baskets for over 20 years.  She sells baskets throughout the region, including Artists at Work in downtown Elkins.  Leslie has a M.S. in Forest Management from SUNY - ESF.  The Forest Service employed her until 1990.  She has taught classes at Augusta (in Elkins), and the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, N.C
 
The cost for the workshop is $30 and pre-registration is required. For more information, please call 637-2355 or logon to www.randolpharts.org.  The RCCAC, a non-profit organization promoting and supporting the arts in Randolph County and the surrounding areas, is located at the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street in Elkins.   Local contributors support RCCAC¹s arts education program along with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.