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American Gourd Society
Judges Handbook
1. Introduction
1.1 The purpose of the AGS shall be directed to the education and instruction of those persons who are interested in the culture, uses, history, and/or crafting of gourds. Competition at gourd shows should be in support of this purpose.
1.2 In all competition entries, gourds must predominate. No entries are allowed that do not include one or more gourds or gourd pieces.
1.3 Competition should be designed to be attractive to beginning, hobbyist gourders, as well as accomplished artists. Categories and awards should be designed to be inclusive of all of our members.
1.4 Competition should be for the purpose of encouraging and rewarding gourd growers and crafters. Winning should be a source of pride, but the competition should foster a sense of accomplishment for all, not of winners and losers.
1.5 These guidelines are optional for all AGS chapters and other nonaffiliated organizations. However, if these guidelines are adopted for a particular competition, the organizing committee may advertise that their competition will be “in accordance with the guidelines of the American Gourd Society.”
1.6 These guidelines should be widely available to all persons who will be entering in the competition.
2. Judges
2.1 Qualifications
2.1.1 Judges should be chosen with experience in both gourds and art. Formal education in a related field is desirable.
2.1.2 Judges should have clerked in previous competitions before being appointed as judges.
2.1.3 Judges should be knowledgeable about gourds.
2.1.4 Judges must strive to be impartial and consistent.
2.2 AGS Certified Judges
2.2.1 If an AGS certified judges is available, he/she shall be appointed as the head judge.
2.2.2 Although not necessary under these guidelines, an AGS certified judge lends credibility to the competition and the appearance that the guidelines will be followed. If no AGS certified judge is available, the show chair shall appoint a head judge.
2.3 Clerks
2.3.1 Clerks may be anyone with an interest in becoming a judge, whether or not otherwise trained or certified.
2.3.2. Clerks serve the purpose of keeping official records of the judges’ decisions, so should be chosen for their ability to keep accurate and clear records of the judging.
3. Competition facility
3.1 The competition will be held in an area separate from other activities of the event or show. This can be a separate building, a separate room, or an area that is physically and visibly separated from the other activities.
3.2 The competition area will have sufficient tables, hangers, and other displays as appropriate to ensure the judges and the public can view all of the entries.
3.3 Categories in the competition will be clearly marked and divided so the judges and public can see what gourds are entered in the various categories.
3.4 The competition area will be able to be isolated during the judging so no persons other than the judges and clerks will be present at that time.
3.5 The competition area will be designed with reasonable security when the event is closed (such as overnight); however under these guidelines the sponsoring group is not responsible for the safety/security of the entries.
4. Judging authority
4.1 The head judge will be appointed by the chair of the show/event.
4.2 The decision of the head judge in all matters is final and may not be appealed. The head judge may override any decision of members of the judging teams before the results are announced.
4.3 Once announced, awards and ribbons are final and will not be withdrawn.
4.4. In case of a clear error, awards will not be withdrawn. However, duplicate awards (such as another first place ribbon) may be given at the discretion of the head judge in order to correct errors.
4.5 The head judge shall transmit the results of the judging in written form to the chair of the show/event; the chair will accept the results without any modification or change.
5. Prejudging activities
5.1 The head judge will meet with the judges and clerks in a private area prior to any judging activities. If possible, the show chair will be invited to attend this meeting to answer any questions and give the judges the sense of the show’s objectives.
5.2 Although the head judge is the final authority on awards, he or she shall be responsible for implementing the guidance of the show chair and committee as to the general approach to awards.
5.3 The judges will discuss the use of the 1-5 judging scale. The entire scale should be used; a score of 1 does not imply a poor piece, just a piece that is less deserving of a high score than others in that group. A score of 5 does not imply perfection, but a piece that is deserving of a higher score than others in that group.
5.4 Although not a requirement of these guidelines, it is very strongly suggested that there be several dry runs judging gourds not in competition. Judges will simulate the real judging process, but will then discuss and defend their individual scores to the others for the purpose of honing their own scoring and coordinating their scoring approach with the others.
5.5 Judges should be identified with a nametag or other identifying items. AGS certified judges should also carry/wear appropriate identification. Throughout the show, judges should be available to anyone to discuss any aspect of the judging procedure, including their individual opinion and judging of specific gourds or categories.
6. Judging procedure
6.1 Each entry will be judged by no fewer than three judges (except for a conflict of interest, see below). The judging team may be as large as the head judge decides.
6.2 The judges may be divided into separate teams, as long as each team has at least three members. Different teams will be assigned different categories to judge, based on their desires or qualifications, by the head judge.
6.3 Each judging team will have a clerk assigned for official record keeping. There may be more than one clerk per team, but only one will be responsible for the official records.
6.4 When a judge recognizes the work of an artist, they will excuse themselves from that class judging, or ask another team to judge that class.
6.5 Judges may discuss among themselves any aspect of the entries, and may call upon the head judge for his/her advice or opinion. Other than those people, no others (including the clerk) will participate in the judging discussion.
6.6 Disqualification
6.6.1 The judging team may disqualify entries if they do not qualify under the description of the category. Before doing so, they will consult with the head judge, who should normally defer to the judging team, but may choose to make the final decision.
6.6.2 No disqualification will be done without the knowledge beforehand of the head judge, whose approval of the judging team’s decision, or whose own decision, becomes final.
6.6.3 If there is a “my way” or other all-inclusive category in the competition, the head judge may choose to move the disqualified entry into that category.
6.6.4 If the artist who created the disqualified entry appeals to the head judge in a timely manner, and the head judge agrees that a clear error was made, then that entry will be eligible to be reconsidered and perhaps receive a duplicate award.
6.6.5 Other than the requirement that an entry must include a gourd or gourd pieces, nothing will be disqualified from the “my way” or similar catch-all category.
6.7 Considerations while judging
6.7.1 Be receptive to the unique, the unusual, the different.
6.7.2 Keep an open mind; curb your own personal biases.
6.7.3 View the work up close and at a distance.
6.7.4 What is the overall impact?
6.7.5 How original is the piece?
6.7.6 Note how it relates to the category in which it is entered.
6.7.7 How is it executed?
6.7.8 Is it appealing?
6.7.9 Does it contribute to the natural beauty of the gourd?
6.7.10 Be fair, consistent and careful; be conscientious and honest.
6.8 Scoring
6.8.1 Judges will have scoring sheets and write their scores on each one. Then, they will hand their sheets to the clerk, who will add the totals, and order the entries from first to last (see results below). Although discussion of the gourd is completely open and interactive between the judges (and, if they wish, the head judge), scoring is individual.
6.8.2 Use the entire range for scoring. Individual scores are not revealed to the entrants.
6.8.3 Raw and current season gourds.
6.8.3.1 50% cultural perfection, quality, cleanliness and maturity. Score range 1-5
6.8.3.2 50% Trueness of type and color. Score range 1-5
6.8.3.3. In case of size competition, the above scoring will not apply. For example, the winning gourd in a “longest dipper” category will be the longest qualifying entry.
6.8.3.4 In case of matching competition, the above scoring will apply. If, for example, the category is “three identical apple gourds,” the first points (cultural perfection…) will reflect the degree to which the gourds are identical.
6.8.4 Gourd Craft
6.8.4.1 Originality: Design theme. Score range 1-5
6.8.4.2 Originality: Appropriateness of crafting. Score range 1-5
6.8.4.3 Originality: Suitability of accessories (if used). Score range 1-5 (if used)
6.8.4.4 Originality: Artistic qualities - creativity. Score range 1-5
6.8.4.5 Workmanship: Neatness or quality. Score range 1-5
6.8.4.6 Workmanship: Color and/or finish, decoration. Score range 1-5
6.8.4.7 Workmanship: Balance/scale. Score range 1-5
6.8.4.8 Workmanship: Overall relationship - appearance. Score range 1-5
6.8.5 Growers Division
6.8.5.1 Gourds must have been grown by the exhibitor/entrant.
6.8.5.2 Dried gourds have all the water evaporated leaving a lightweight shell.
6.8.5.3 For specimen gourds (a specific variety), trueness of type and color must be observed. Specimen gourds have no indication of excess grooming or training.
6.8.5.4 Gourds entered in the growers classes must have stems, at least one have inch long. Stem must be washed with skin and dirt removed from the crevices, and the end trimmed.
6.8.5.5 Gourds must be true to type, mature and clean.
6.8.5.6 Gourds must be natural, with no finish of any kind.
6.8.5.7 Assorted gourd groupings must be of various sizes, shapes, and varieties.
6.8.5.8 Identical gourd groupings must be the same size, shape, color hue, and variety.
6.8.5.9 Hand trained gourds have been manipulated by hand during growth to achieve a specific shape.
6.8.5.10 Freak growth gourds must have a unique shape that occurred naturally with no human intervention of any kind (no training, starving, growth interference.
6.8.6 If there are specific categories where these scoring guidelines are not appropriate, the competition sponsor (show chair, show committee, chapter president, etc) will establish a scoring scale for that category, and publish it in advance so those entering will know in advance how they will be scored. The judges will use that scoring scale.
6.8.6.1 The intention of these guidelines is to instill confidence in competitors that their gourds will be consistently and fairly graded, even though they have not participated in a particular show. For that reason, exceptions to these scoring guidelines should be rare.
7.0 Awards
7.1 The show chair/committee will determine the individual categories and classes and the maximum number of awards (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc) to be given in each categories or class.
7.2 Once the clerk has totaled the scores, the clerk will inform the judges of the rank order of the entries. The top entry will receive the 1st place (often known as the Blue Ribbon) award, the next entry will receive 2nd place, etc. If the award is of appropriate design (such as a ribbon or certificate), it will be immediately placed on/near the winning gourd(s).
7.3 In case of ties in the score, the judges will openly confer and decide on a tiebreaker. Duplicate place awards will not be given.
7.4 The judges are not bound to give out all of the place awards if they feel some entrants are not deserving of an award. However, the approval of the head judge is required.
7.5 If there are two or more entries in a particular category, a first place winner must be chosen and awarded. Normally the other entry will receive a second place award.
7.6 If there is only one entry in a category, the normal procedure is to give that entry a first place award. However, in exceptional circumstances, if the judges believe the entry does not deserve an award, they will withhold any award. The approval of the head judge is required.
7.7 At this time the names of the artists are not revealed, as there may be further awards.
8.0 Combined/overall awards
8.1 The show chair/committee may establish, in advance, certain awards that are cross-category (such as best of class).
8.2 Once the individual category judging is complete, the judges will consider all the first class winners for any combined class award. The same scoring scale will be used.
8.3 Once combined class awards are decided, there may be other awards (such as best newcomer, best of show, President’s award, worst of show, most improved). These awards are made at the discretion of the show chair/committee, and are outside the authority of the head judge and the judges.
8.3.1 Of course, the decision of these awards may be made by some or all of the same judges. However, when they do so, they are acting outside these guidelines, and are not bound by them. Their selection process is guided by the show chair/committee.
8.4 If there is a category that requires gourds to match the theme of the show, the show/chair committee can do the judging for that category or may assign that duty to the judges.
8.5 Any AGS-sponsored award may only be awarded if there is an AGS certified judge or AGS elected officer present and part of the award decision process.
9. Entries
9.1 Individuals will place their gourds into competition according to procedures set up by the individual event.
9.2 Each gourd will have attached (or otherwise kept with it) a tag with the entrant’s name. This tag will be folded or otherwise obscured to the name is not visible to the judges during the judging portion of the show.
9.3 Late entries are at the discretion of the show chair/committee. However, if an entry is accepted after a particular category has been judged, that category will not be re-judged.
9.4 A gourd may be entered in only one category/class per show.
10 What these guidelines do not cover
10.1 These guidelines are intended to standardize and make public the procedure used to select the award winners in competition at gourd shows.
10.2 The following areas are not a part of these guidelines and reside solely with the individual show chair/committee:
10.2.1 Categories and qualification for entry into each category.
10.2.2 Selection of what category a particular gourd should/must enter.
10.2.3 Who may enter the competition.
10.2.4 Entry acceptance time, place, and procedure.
10.2.5 What the awards are (ribbons, plaques, monetary, other).
10.2.6 Choosing winners of awards other than individual categories and best of category/class.
10.2.7 Decision as to whether competition gourds may be offered for sale while in the display area.
10.2.8 Decision as to when gourds may be picked up after judging is complete
10.2.9 Entry fee, if any.
10.2.10 Whether vendors are required to enter gourds.
10.3 The decision as to whether a gourd may be entered is up to the show chair/committee. For example, some shows do not permit gourds to be entered in subsequent years, or may have other restrictions. Entry qualifications are up to the show; the judges will judge what is presented to them.
11 Photography
11.1 Gourds entered in competition are available for photography or sketching by anyone or any organization.
11.2 Photographs of the gourds in competition may not be used by anyone for any income or profit producing activity. Fair use (newsletters, chapter websites) is allowed.
12. Measuring gourds
12.1 Differentiation between straight and curved/crooked gourd is accomplished by measuring the maximum above ground clearance of the gourd:
The stem is not a part of the measurement. Straight gourds must be 4 inches or less; curved crooked gourds are more than 4 inches.
12.2 A straight gourd is measured from blossom end to stem. The stem is not included in the measurement:
12.3 Curved/crooked gourds are measured along the center top of the gourd from the blossom end to the stem:
12.4 The Circumference is measured at the gourd’s widest point, when standing in an upright position:
12.5 The height is measured two ways. The longest measurement applies. First, measure from the blossom end to the stem protrusion with the gourd’s curvature. Then measure at the highest point then the gourd sits upright, stem not included:
12.6 The width is measured at the gourd’s widest point when it sits upright:
12.7 The longest measurement, with less than 4 inches of curve measurement: The imaginary straight line runs from the blossom end to the stem protrusion of the gourd, stem not included. The deepest point of the curve (when measured from gourd center to the imaginary straight line) may not exceed 4 inches:
12.8 Longest Measurement must have no more than 4 inch total curvature. To test this, measure the gourd’s length from the stem center to the blossom center at the opposite end of the gourd:
13. Natural materials
13.1 At times a category calls for only natural materials. Examples of natural materials are linen or cotton cords, pine needles, animal or plant parts, and flowers.
13.2 Examples of non-natural materials are artificial sinew, paints and dyes, glass or plastic, and wires.
13.3 The show chair/committee may specify overall exceptions for minor amount of non-natural materials (such as a plastic stand to hold up a gourd, or artificial sinew to bind pine needles), or may make a decision to allow a particular entry in a category specified as natural (such as a dyed leather piece).
13.4 If such exceptions are made, they should be in the show program brought to the attention of the judges before the judging process. The judges will honor the show chair/committee’s decision.
13.5 If the category states “substantially” or “predominantly” or some other indication of a majority of natural materials, then the piece should be at least 90% natural materials.
14. Definitions
14.1 Gourd. A hollow, dried shell of a fruit in the Cucurbitaceae family of plants.
14.2 Varieties of gourds. The varieties as depicted in the most recent issue of The Gourd that has a variety chart.
14.3 Cleaned. A gourd that has had surface dirt removed via any process such as hand washing, scrubbing, machine washing.
14.4 Carving. Any result of removal of a portion of the shell of a gourd exposing the undersurface. Knives, rotary tools, gouges, or any other tools may be used for this general result.
14.4.1 Chipping A type of carving performed with gouging tools to “chip” out a small piece of a gourd at a time.
14.5 Woodburning. Marking the surface of a gourd with a hot piece of metal, ordinarily using a woodburner system.
14.6 Birdhouse. A gourd prepared so it would reasonably serve as a home for wild birds. It has an appropriate size hole, drainage holes, and a method of hanging/attaching to a support (such as a tree or post).
14.7 Embellishment. Any decorative item, natural or artificial, attached to a gourd for the purpose of improving the appearance of the work.
14.8 Colored gourd. A gourd whose color has been changed with dye, paint, crayon, pencil, marker, or other commonly accepted coloring media.
14.9 Cut gourd. A cut gourd is any gourd whose surface has been cut, partially or completely, with a tool such as a knife, saw, hot woodburning pen, awl, or other implement. The gourd does not have to be cut into two pieces, just cut completely through the shell.
14.10 Gourd basket. A gourd with the top portion cut off and a handle attached. The general appearance is a container with a handle for carrying items.
14.11 Gourd bowl. A gourd with the top portion cut off. The general appearance is a container that is intended to sit still.
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