Tia Flores is a fourth-generation Nevadan, and was born and raised in Las Vegas. She moved to Northern Nevada to attend UNR, and worked in the financial industry as the Branch and Regional Training Manager. Even though Tia has experimented with various art mediums, she found her true creative self when she began working with gourds in 1996. Tia’s beautiful gourd art can be found on display at various galleries and museums in Nevada and California.

Gourd Art - In this workshop you will design, create and finish a gourd vessel. In addition to the technical aspects, such as cleaning, cutting and pro-engraving (wood burning), this workshop will begin by discussing the multi-cultural history of gourds, and how many cultures today continue to use gourds in their environment as functional, ceremonial and musical pieces.

Tia Flores is the instructor who does beautiful gourd creations with cultural themes, such as vessels, drums, masks, and jewelry. She developed an appreciation of the vast Nevada desert, and her Navajo and Aztec heritage from her family. She has intertwined and reflected this cultural identity in her work.

In the artist’s words: Although, the gourd has become my canvas of choice, I view my work as a creative interaction with Mother Nature by simply accenting its natural beauty while maintaining the unique character of the gourd.