Plenty to see at Silver State Art Festival in Carson City

Gourd artists, basket makers, wood artists, photographers and painters from all over the Southwest are gathering in Carson City to share and sell their work.

The 2018 Silver State Art Festival, sponsored by the Nevada Gourd Society, will host the artists and a cornucopia of art festivities Sept. 15-16 at the Fuji Park Exhibit Hall and Pavilion, across from Costco.

Offering free admission, the event is billed as a fun and educational festival for all who want to learn more about the world of the natural arts.

Three days of classes will cover a range of topics, including how to create art with gourds, how to weave a basket and how to create a rope bowl.

Experienced instructors are lined up to share their knowledge in several techniques: carving, dyeing, and woodburning a gourd; weaving and even basic woodturning.

For class descriptions and to register, go to www.nevadagourdsociety.org/classes.

For those who aren’t necessarily interested in taking a class but want to have a hands-on experience with gourds, there will be a “Make and Take” booth for adults and children of all ages.

As a nonprofit organization, the Nevada Gourd Society’s mission is to educate and showcase the talents of its more-than-100 members while also supporting other organizations in the Carson area.

This year it’s hosting a raffle with more than 50 donated items from artists and local businesses. All proceeds will benefit Advocates to End Domestic Violence (AEDV).

Additionally, all of the funds raised will be matched by the Joseph Kalt and Judy Gans Family Foundation. No need to be present to win.

“We are very proud that last year’s raffle raised $1,000 for Kids and Horses and $500 for Holiday with a Hero. We are hoping that this year, with community support, our donation to AEDV will be even larger,” the society said.

Festival hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 15 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 16.

Gourd classes will start a day early from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14. They’ll continue 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 15 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 16.

For information, go to www.nevadagourdsociety.org/2018-art-festival.