By Diane Brown
San Marcos — You can carve them, burn them and paint them. They still come out award winners. But in truth, it does require a personal muse to know just how to achieve this.
Lelia Sublett of Wimberley seems to hear the whisper of her muse each time she selects a common gourd and transforms it into some imaginative piece of art or jewelry. She and her husband Jimmy spend a good deal of time and energy working with gourds as a retirement pastime. They will demonstrate some of their talents when they appear as guests of AARP Chapter 2427 at the Feb. 14 meeting in the activity center here.
At the 2006 Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show, Lelia won a special award for “Most Unusual Use of Materials.” It was the first time in Texas history a gallery exhibited the artistic talents of 17 nationwide artists who were invited by the KACC (Kerr Arts & Cultural Center) in Kerrville.
According to the Subletts, gourd art is extremely popular in our state and across the country. There are nine gourd patches (growing areas) in Texas; for more than seven years the Wimberley couple has led the Capital of Texas Gourd Patch and has been active in the Texas Gourd Society and other gourd organizations.
As Lelia displays pictures of the Subletts’ innovative Christmas ornaments made from whole gourds, she radiates enthusiasm. It is apparent she is thrilled with the challenge of turning the earth’s first cultivated crop (gourds) into beautiful, interesting, sometimes wearable pieces.
Several years ago, Jimmy and Leila were commissioned to make official Christmas ornaments to be sold in San Angelo. Proceeds went to support Old Fort Concho.The fort, home of the 10th Cavalry which was one of two black regiments assigned to protect the Southwest and the Great Plains in the late 19th Century, was situated on the banks of the Concho River.
From there, soldiers patrolled and mapped the vast West Texas region and quelled hostile threats in the area. In 1889, after serving its role, the fort was deactivated. Today Fort Concho National Historic Landmark encompasses most of the former Army post and includes 23 original and restored structures. It is an historic preservation project and museum which is owned and operated by the city of San Angelo.
The couple spent more than 100 hours on the gourd ornaments, using a variety of techniques; Jimmy cut and burned them while Lelia decorated. Since then they have taught a number of classes on gourds throughout the country and remain deeply involved in their favorite project.
Anyone interested in seeing the lowly gourd turned into a thing of beauty is invited to come to the 2 p.m. AARP meeting at the activity center.
