Cara Rivera (Formerly Cara Hollingsworth) is a native of Greenville, South Carolina.  She started her interest in art from a very young age.

While admiring one of Cara Rivera's gourds, her creative talent is evident. What you can't see, are the interesting facts behind the piece of art. Why did Cara choose gourds as her "canvas" and where does she find them?

Cara Rivera, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, has worked in a variety of art mediums over the years. Her broad talents include sculpting, sketching and painting, in which she received personal instruction from Greenville's very own Renato Moncini. Cara sought a form of art that would combine her creative skills. Continually inspired by the beauty of the area she has lived in most of her life, she experimented with natural elements to replace the traditional canvas and eventually discovered the gourd. She has spent the last seven years honing her skill for carving and painting gourds. For an inedible vegetable with a clumsy sounding name, in Cara's hands, the gourd is transformed into a delightful work of art. If you ask Cara "Why the gourd?"  She'll likely tell you that the unique character of the gourd holds magical appeal for her. While perusing through a collection of  raw gourds, she comments, "When I choose a gourd, it already knows what it wants to be. I just help it a little bit."
 

So, where does one buy gourds? Well, most artists are limited to the odd vendor here and there. Cara began this way, driving to North Carolina and buying up gourds as she found them. Then a family member told her of a cousin she didn't know she had. Cousin Herman is a 98 year old gourd farmer in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. Cara has formed a great relationship with her spunky relative and makes several trips a year to get the "pick of the litter" before the truckload of gourds go to market.

Now, what were the odds of that? Cara's passion for her art is as beautiful as the art itself. Those who purchased her gourds say it simply makes them happy to look at them. They told their friends who told their friends ... and needless to say, Cara is happily carving and painting gourds in an effort to keep up with orders.

To order your own custom gourd, contact Cara at (864) 233-4951 cara.rivera@lmco.com
 
 
 


http://www.jkstacydesigns.com/Cherokee/Cherokee.html
 Gourds for Me in Cherokee 2003

If you missed it this year....
Better make plans for NEXT year!!!!

Click here to see what you missed
 

 

 
South Carolina Gourd Society
Vision Statement

Merging a community of talented artists into a new realm of design.  Creating one-of-a-kind pieces of art that started with the foundation of a seed, soil, nutrition, water, and a burst from the sun.  Representing the South, we are proud to lift from nature’s own, and place the fingerprints of the human soul upon it.

Hello - my name is Cara Rivera. I am a member of the American Gourd Society and I am interested in building the South Carolina Chapter for gourd artists. It is called the South Carolina Gourd Society. When asking the president of the American Gourd Society the regulations for starting my own division - the rules stated:
1) Must have 25 members on the charter committee to start (I will not charge a fee for the first 25 members of the group) After the first 25 charter members have made their commitment and joined, a $10.00 yearly membership fee will be required from the rest of the group. So, HURRY and be one of the first 25.
2) Must already be a member of the American Gourd Society
3) Must be for a non-profit organization for educational purposes
4) Study the by-laws-copies of other organizations
5) Send out a newsletter periodically

Note: Membership includes: Quarterly newsletter either by e-mail or postal service with the artist of the quarter featured, Tips and Tricks, new ideas, upcoming events, quarterly questions answered, and a membership card good for one year. The first newsletter will be out by the end of May following the “Gourds for Me in Cherokee” Festival.

I am very enthusiastic about starting this group and would appreciate, if you are not interested, please pass this along to other people who might be. But, if you are interested, GREAT!!!!  You will enjoy sharing tips and tricks with other gourd artists, PLUS, getting to know other people who share the same interest, educating adults and children alike, the history of gourds and the many uses they have.

My goal is to bring people from South Carolina together with something called “GOURD GLOW”. To be proud of what you have made and know that it is the only one that has been created, and can not be duplicated in any way. These pieces of work are definitely one-of-a-kind! When this starts gathering momentum, I would like to plan gatherings in different parts of South Carolina. I want this to be as convenient as possible to everyone. Possibly Home & Garden Shows/Festivals/Expos, etc. I will be able to provide the banners, signs, logo designs, cards, etc.

So, if you are a gourdaholic who loves to pick the perfect one, paint them, carve them, stain them, oil pastel them - please consider being a part of the South Carolina Gourd Society. I would welcome you as a member with tremendous enthusiasm!! Give it a shot - you have nothing to lose. You will be a member of the American Gourd Society, the South Carolina Gourd Society, and you will gain even more knowledge on something you admire to look at, work on, and appreciate.

“WATCH US GROW WITH ENTHUSIASM AND CREATIVITY!”


Thank you,

Cara Rivera
1018 Summit Drive
Greenville, SC 29609
864-233-4951 or 864-363-1751
cara.rivera@lmco.com
South Carolina Gourd Society Newsletter
 
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Cara Rivera
Greenville, South Carolina
(864) 233-4951
cara.rivera@lmco.com