Gerry Rogers was born and raised on the ranch and farm lands of the
rural Bitter Creek community near Sweetwater, TX. This is where
she first learned to paint wild buffalo gourds at a young age and
continues this practice today. After graduating from Abilene
Christian University, she married Louis Flewharty; they have one
daughter Cheryl who is a graphic designer/illustrator residing in
Dallas. Gerry taught secondary science and served as director of
private preschool/k for twenty-years. After retiring, she
rekindled her love for folk art by combining it with gourds. This
inspiration came after viewing a gourd display in a Santa Fe, NM
gallery in 1995. Next, she became a charter member of the Texas
Gourd Society and entered the first TGS Fine Arts and Craft Fair in
1996. The same year she organized the TGS Dallas Gourd Patch and
served as president (1996 - 1998). She has remained active with TGS
serving as editor of The Texas
Gourdzette newsletter (1999 - 2001), secretary/membership
officer (2001 - 2007) and currently as a director.
Her favorite creations feature folk art, Australian dream dot painting
and Southwest designs. She is self-taught with no formal art
training. Teaching gratification continues through gourd
classes. Activities for children highlight her life: "Kid’s
Korner" featured columnist since 2001 for The Gourd (AGS), instructor for
children’s summer crafts at Old City Park, teaching in libraries,
classrooms and museums plus donating artwork to children’s homes,
schools and charitable events.
Gourd awards, achievements
and speaking engagements:
TGS State Arts & Craft Festivals 1996 - 2006
State Fair of Texas Creative Arts 1999- 2008
TGS Chairperson Award 1999
TGS Artist of the Year 2003
TGS State Logo Contest winner 2004
Gourd Presentation - Texas State Garden Club Spring Convention 2000
“Texas Pride" sponsored by Texana Living History Association 2000
"GOURD-GEOUS ART" – Dallas Advocate
magazine, December 2003
Instructor at Dallas Arboretum sponsored by Southern Living Gardening
School 2004
Daughters of the Republic of Texas speaker 2005
Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show - "Most Whimsical" award 2007
"Gourds – From Vines to Designs" – The
Lone Star Gardener, Summer 2008
"Fantasy & Whimsical Creatures" second place - The Gourd (AGS), Fall 2008
Woodland Garden Club, White Rock Garden Forum and Dallas Council of
Garden Clubs
