The Opp Cultural Arts Council is preparing to honor one of their own for the impact she had on art in Opp.

Terri Camp, a renowned gourd artist, passed away in Green Valley, Ariz., in September.

Recently retired, she moved to Opp in 2006 from Alaska.

In Opp, she was free to pursue her painting full-time, and included her new medium – gourds.

The Star-News featured camp in 2012 after she was named Alabama Gourd Queen in 2011. She also won a host of other statewide awards and many others

Camp told the Star-News she was introduced to gourd art shortly after moving to Opp, when she saw a decorated Santa Claus.

The rest was history.

“I was delighted to find something new that I could work with, having worked my way through all the arts and crafts as they became popular,” she said, at the time. “I devoured all the gourd info, tips and techniques I could find online. I love thinking of new directions to take my gourds and to challenge myself with complicated sculptures.”

She joined the American Gourd Society and the Alabama Gourd Society.

Additionally, she developed her love for portrait painting on canvas. She painted portraits of former mayor Durwood Edgar, a series of Alabama football portraits including Bear Bryant and Nick Sabana and President Barack Obama.

Camp was active in the OCAC and won several OCAC Juried Art competitions.

When she left Opp, she continued to display her talent for gourd artistry in gourd festivals and gourd shows throughout Arizona.

“The Opp Cultural Arts Council invites you to an appreciation day for Terri Camp on Sat., Jan. 16, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., at the OCAC art gallery,” said OCAC member Anita Ellis. “Terri’s artwork will be on display and many items will be available for purchase.”