Gourds for Good
By Kathy Knotts
Why carve when you can display an artist-designed, one-of-a-kind pumpkin? This weekend, Annapolis Arts Alliance (AAA) member artists will have a gallery of gourds on display.
The arts organization will decorate pumpkins for sale to benefit The Annapolis Light House Saturday (11am-3pm). Event organizer and artist Audrey Lee says the project is piggybacking off the upcoming Mayor’s Cup Pickleball Tournament bringing folks to downtown Annapolis.
“When we were notified that the first block of West Street was going to be closed for the Mayor’s Cup… we were trying to come up with an idea for a fun seasonal event at Gallery 57 West.,” says Lee. “I know a lot of people carve pumpkins for Halloween but how about painted ones?”
Lee is counting on the talented and creative artists to transform their gourds into works of art. “So far, the pumpkins that I’ve seen are amazing,” she says.
While painting on produce probably isn’t the easiest canvas, Lee says AAA members are being asked to paint their pumpkins in any style they like. “There will be collage, abstract, traditional and who knows what we will end up with, but we can assure you, the pumpkins will be creative, fun and a great addition to anyone’s doorstep.”
On Oct. 10, the painted pumpkins will be on display on West. St. Artists will also be painting pumpkins on site during the day. All proceeds from the pumpkin sales will go to The Light House and AAA will be accepting non-perishable donations as well.
“Since COVID is still here for the holidays there are quite a few families who are living on a shoe string and need a little to a lot of help,” says Lee. “The Annapolis Light House is a wonderful organization that is in touch with families in Annapolis and we can give back. We took it one step further, not only selling the pumpkins to raise money for the Light House, we decided to collect non-perishable goods. The holidays are coming and we all can do just a little bit to help others.”
A full list of items that will be accepted for the Annapolis Light House is at annapolislighthouse.org/needs/