Think you can top a mermaid, elephant or a Mona Lisa design using a gourd?

The Heart of Dixie Gourd Patch invites all local residents, especially youth, to participate in the second annual gourd competition in Opp.

President Anita Ellis said there is only one other gourd show in the state, in Cullman.

The local show will be held Sat., Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Anita’s Home Gallery on Ellis Road in Opp.

While members of the patch and gourd artists from around South Alabama will showcase their gourd art creations, Ellis said she’d like to have young people from all over the area participate.

Students ages 6-15 are welcome to participate.

“We had a bunch of students from Straughn and Opp to enter last year,” she said. “And we want more this year. Any type of gourd art for children is welcome. We want them to use their creativity.”

Ellis said anyone needing assistance creating a gourd are welcome to contact her.

“They can come out to the studio or make arrangements to have personal instruction,” she said.

The competition will feature five categories, and entrants may enter up to three categories and only one gourd per category.

Categories include:

• Painted only.

• Using two or more techniques.

• Anything goes. Participants can tie in several different types of gourds or any kind of media in this category.

• Spring theme. This can be anything portraying spring.

• Youth category, for ages 6-15.

Deadline to submit entries is Thurs., Feb. 16.

There is no cost.

For more information, call Ellis at 493-7166 or Terri Camp at 493-9871.