[Ansteorra] A question for Ansteorran artisans

[Hillary Greenslade]

> Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 09:50:21 -0600
> From: "C. L. Ward" <gunnora at vikinganswerlady.com>
> Subject: [Ansteorra] A question for Ansteorran artisans
> To: "Ansteorra" <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
> Greetings from Gunnvor!
> 
> Recently I've been participating in discussions with other Laurels
> about whether or not Ansteorra should have a titled Kingdom
> Artisan, along the same lines as we now have a Kingdom Bard.
> Obviously, what *we* think about this doesn't matter nearly as much
> as what the artisan community as a whole, and the kingdom at large,
> thinks on this issue, so I thought I'd solicit some feedback...
> 
> (1) Do you think Ansteorra should have a titled Kingdom Artisan?
> Why or why not?

Good question!  Should we?  - sure, why not.  
There are competitions in most other areas, why not this as well.  
Many have said the kingdom should not select a Titled Artisan as 
how can you judge one medium against another medium. 
So setting up the guidelines will be important. 
I think using the standard judging forms, taking the top scorers, and 
and also allow the populace a vote averaged in, might be interesting.  

> (2) If a titled Kingdom Artisan were to be selected, how should
> this person be chosen?  Competition? What kind of competition? How
> judged? Royal appointment? Other? etc.

Competition would be best, as most other championships are choosen 
by competition.  Body of work display, with perhaps a judging of three items,
but if there are lots of entries, then limit it to only one item judged. 
As it's a kingdom competition, maybe the judges could be expanded to 
include more than the Laurel community.  Do the selection at 
Ansteorran Kingdom A&S competition.  
 
> (3) What, if any, should be the duties and responsibilities of a
> titled Kingdom Artisan, if such were to be selected?

Absolutely, there should be responsibilities, but also privaleges.  
Marshalling champions have a duty to defend the Crown; as such the 
Artisan should do an arts activity... make a spiffy gift for the kingdom 
to use as regalia or gift as prize (perhaps to the next A&S champion).  
Other ideas:  holding classes in their medium and writing articles.  
I don't necessarily think they should be responsible for organizing the 
next Kingdom A&S, as event autocrating are skill sets of their own... but 
they should certainly have input in some kingdom arts events.  

Just curious - how do other kingdoms choose their Artisan? 
And what responsibilities in those kingdoms? 

Cheers, Hillary