Alabama’s gourd queen will be on display this month at the Opp Cultural Art Center’s “Art on Main” display.

Opp’s Terri Camp, an Alaskan native who moved to Opp in 2006, was named the 2011-2012 Alabama Gourd Queen.

Camp was introduced to gourd art shortly after moving to Opp, when she saw a decorated Santa Claus.

The rest is history.

“I was delighted to find something new and fun that I could work with, having worked my way through all the arts and craft as they became popular,” Camp said. “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.”

Camp entered a Georgia Gourd Society competition in 2007, where she entered various categories and won a dozen first place ribbons and numerous other medals including Best New Artist.

“At the awards dinner, they laughingly told me I wasn’t allowed to come back because I took all their ribbons,” Camp said.

That October, she tried her luck at the Alabama Gourd Competition in Cullman, where she won many awards, including the president’s award, people’s choice and the 2007-2008 Alabama Gourd Queen honors.

Each year since, she has competed in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Texas.

She again won the honor of Alabama Gourd Queen last October.

“Everyone in the city of Opp has been very supportive of my gourd creations,” she said. “Although, I expect to be moving to Arizona in two or three months, I’ll always be grateful to Opp for introducing me to gourds and to the Opp Cultural Arts Council for providing a venue for local artists to show their artwork.”

The OCAC is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.