Woodcarvers & Pyrographers Entry Registrations
Guidelines
Carving Entries
This show is family oriented and is an attempt to showcase wood working and carving as a desirable and enjoyable past time. Inappropriate carvings displaying sexual or vulgar content may be removed from the competition. If there are questions regarding a carving, they should be directed to one of the show committee members for review at the time of registration. Carvings may be moved to more appropriate divisions or numbered categories if deemed necessary by the judges to provide better balance of the competition. It must be noted that if there are only one or two pieces entered in a specific category they will be judged on their own merits, and one will not automatically be awarded a blue ribbon. Accordingly, if there are too few pieces in a division a Best of Division may not be awarded. Exceedingly large pieces that require special handling can be accepted only if they are first cleared by the show committee members. Additional charges may be assessed if special equipment is required to place an unusually large item. Computer generated items or items made by computer-controlled equipment cannot be entered in the carving competition. Pieces produced in seminars or from rough outs are not acceptable at the Advanced level. Carvers who are willing to donate items for the show raffle or auctions should bring them to the site during the Friday registration period. Donors should be willing to let the show committee decide which pieces will be designated as a raffle or banquet auction or silent auction item. All proceeds will go to support the Idaho Artistry in Wood Show.
Woodcarvers & Pyrographers are to choose the skill level that best represents their ability.
Skill Levels
Youth: Youth under 16 years of age. May enter work without paying registration fees and are eligible to compete for ribbons.
Beginner: Those who are relatively new to this art form and competition. At this skill level the carver is encouraged to try different tools and techniques, take classes, and compete to learn from experienced carvers and the judges. Ribbons and critiques are awarded to encourage carvers to continue to improve. Those who earn three blue ribbons or one Best of Division award at this level should move up to the intermediate level at the next competition.
Intermediate: ne who understands the basics, uses most tools with confidence, includes more detail in the carving, and is progressing to more complicated work. Painting and finishing begin to be more important to the overall work. Those who have earned a total of five blue ribbons or two Best of Division awards at this level should move to the Advanced level.
Advanced: his level includes artists at the advanced, expert, or master skill levels and requires excellence in carving and finishing skills in all aspects of the work. Action, expression, originality, and artistry are especially important at this level as is the presentation of the final work including the base on which the carving is mounted, and associated habitat. Seminar pieces or those carved from rough outs are not acceptable at this skill level.
AWARDS
Judging is the most important part of a competition. The judges represent different areas of expertise and may confer with one another to make difficult decisions. Ribbons will be awarded based on artistic merit, level of difficulty, craftsmanship, skill level, and presentation.
There is a limit of three entries in the same numbered category and no limit to the total number of pieces entered in the show. All work must have been completed after March 28, 2023 and must be the work of the artist. By registering a piece for the competition, the artist is certifying that it is his or her work and was completed within the two years prior to the show.
