[Steppes] A thought on A&S judging

[Elaine Crittenden]

Good contribution, Gabrielle! How kind (and brave) you are to offer it.

A view of the other side of the timewarp, if you will excuse the personal
nature of the remarks:

I used to be in the "modern" watercolor artists' competition circuit and
it's somewhat the same there. [Disclaimer: I won enough awards (cash and
just ribbon-honor) that my own "artist's soul" was satisfied, though my
feelings were sometimes hurt with the insensitivity of the judges' egos.]

Some of the modern art judges could be real prima donnas in their statements
and preferences. Knowing the judges' tastes was sometimes key to success or
failure. (Frederick Taubes ignored paintings, however wonderful, that had
purple in them.) I've seen a few judges who just privately judged, left
their written comments, and got out of town before the awards ceremony! :-6

We may have judging problems in SCA competitions, but I don't thing we've
gotten quite *that* bad. However, there is always room for improvement, both
for artists and for judges. I think it was Lady Nuala who said that the
definition of "insanity" was "doing the same thing and expecting a different
result." ;-)

HL Lete Bithespring
("Discouragement is an occupational disease of the artist!"--Elaine
Crittenden)
----------
>From: Jann Mays <hlgabrielle at yahoo.com>
>To: Steppes List <steppes at ansteorra.org>
>Subject: [Steppes] A thought on A&S judging
>Date: Thu THFeb 3,2005,12:42 PM
>

> I have heard a lot of complaints over the years of how newcomers who enter A&S
> events are harshly judged even if they are 'novice' in their display.  I
> recently ran across this little disclaimer from a French competition that I
> will be judging and liked it.  I thought we might be able to use it in the
> future, so I edited it for our use.  I hope that something like this may be
> provided on future regulations for A&S judges.
>
> "A&S Judges,
>
> One note about judging: Although the event is very competitive, we also have a
> goal of encouraging artisans to perfect their craft and to return to
subsequent
> A&S events.  Please make sure your comments are supportive and conservative .
> (Ex. Very good beadwork. Next time, please explain your technique more
> thoroughly in your documentation.).  Avoid negative remarks that may
discourage
> new artisans from participating again."
>
> This is not meant to start a thread of judging complaints, it is just a
> contribution (suggestion) to future A&S events.
>
> YIS,
> HL Gabrielle Honoree de Saint Pierre
>
> =====
> ì... his body curved in a graceful arc as he sank backwards through the
> ragged veil hanging from the arch ... the look of mingled fear and surprise
> on his ... wasted, once-handsome face as he fell through the ancient
> doorway and disappeared behind the veil ...î  p. 886 (abridged).  "Harry
> Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."  J.K. Rowling.  Bloomsbury
> Publishing, London.
>
>
>   
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