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Levels of Competition
YOUTH (Y):
Open to carvers and wood crafters aged 16 or younger.
NOVICE (N):
A beginning carver who may be a newcomer to competition. Carvings can be from a carving class, books, kits and carving blank. If the carver wins a blue ribbon in this class, it is necessary to advance to the intermediate level.
INTERMEDIATE (I):
A more experienced carver who may have won several awards for their carvings. The carver is able to create carvings with less help. It is acceptable to submit pieces that used kits, purchased blanks, or were teacher instructed.
OPEN (O):
A carver that has progressed beyond the intermediate level having won a number of blue ribbons and best of class ribbons in previous competitions. At this level, the carver shows proficiency in carving and painting skills. No assisted instruction allowed and the carver is expected to advance to the Master level.
MASTER (M):
Carvers must be at the highest level of their craft. This level is for the professional carver or instructor who carves for a living or for profit. In past competions, the carver has won a number of blue ribbons, Best in Class , and one or more Best of Show in the Open Class or it's equivalent.
Sample Entry form
Competitive Awards
Awards are in the form of Ribbons, Rosettes, and medallions. These awards are given to carvings and other artistic creations in classified categories, Best of Skill Level, Best of Show, President's Award, and People's Choice Award.
In each category the following may be awarded for each skill level
One 1st Prize Ribbon MAXIMUM
One 2nd Prize Ribbon MAXIMUM
One 3rd Prize Ribbon MAXIMUM
One Honorable Mention Ribbon MAXIMUM
All other entries will be recognized with a "Participant" Ribbon
Following all judging, two independent judges (who have not been involved in any other judging) will judge all 1st Prize winners in all categories and will award ONE Best of Show Prize Ribbon in each Skill Level Only
Each skill level namely: Youth, Novice, Intermediate, Open and Master will be awarded one Best of Skill Level Rosette.
Youth - all youth entries will receive either a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or honorable mention prize ribbon.
Group I - Wildlife
Categories include: Animals, Aquatic, Birds painted, Birds natural, Decoys, Fish and Miniatures.
Group II - Non-Wildlife
Categories include: Abstract, Bench, Caricatures, Chip Carving, Holiday Theme, Human Figure, Mythical, mixed Subject, Relief, Scroll Saw, Walking Stick, Wood Turning and Wood Burning
President's Award will be chosen from the First Place and Best of Show placements. It will be in the form of a Rosette.
People's Choice Award is decided by the public through a voting process on the day of the show. All entries take part in this process. It will be in the form of a Rosette.
All entries will be recognized by the New England Woodcarvers with either a prize or "participant" ribbon
Rules for Competition
- Contest is open to all carvers, wood turners, and scrollers.
- There will be a maximum of 6 entries per person (including ALL Categories).
- After four (4) entries, NEWC members may enter as many pieces they desire at no additional charge up to the maximum established above (6). Refer to registration form for the entry fees.
- You must show a valid NEWC Membership card or NEWC officials must be able to verify your membership at the show to qualify for the NEWC member entry fees.
- Non-members may enter as many pieces they desire up to the maximum established above (6), but must follow a different set of fees. Refer to registration form for the entry fees.
- No fee will be charged to Youth up to and including sixteen (16) years of age. There is a limit of 6 pieces youth may enter.
- The competition area will be closed from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM to judge the carvings entered in competition.
- A SIGNED registration form must be filled in before entering a piece for competition.
- All entries must be hand delivered to Middlesex Community College during the posted registration times only. No pieces will be accepted after 8:45 AM Sunday.. Please make checks payable to the New England Woodcarvers, Inc.
- All entries must remain on display for the duration of the show. Pickup with a matching registration receipt will start at 4:00 PM and any piece left behind shall be the sole responsibility of the owner. There shall be no exceptions to this rule.
- All reasonalble precautions will be taken to protect entries from damage or loss while in the competion room. Beyond this, all entrants place their work in the competition room at their own risk.
- Entrants will receive ONE COMPETITOR'S badge and will get free admission. Badges must be visibly worn at all times. Other family or friends must pay admission fee for entrance to show.
- Award winning carvings from this club cannot be re-entered at any time or any year.
- Carvings placed in competition must not be more than two (2) years old.
- After judging is finished, the carver may put STANDARD SIZE (2 x 3.5 inch) business cards next to their carving(s).
- The carver entering the piece, with the exception of the Division - "Team Carved", which is in the category named Bench, must have carved all entries.
- Carvers and craftman can only enter in one LEVEL.
- All identifying marks of a carver are to be covered on each carving that is submitted for competition.
- Birds in all competition levels may use prefabricated eyes and legs.
- Carvings must not have any loose parts. Carvings must be secured to a base and able to stand without falling.
- Judges may adjust an entry's category to best suit the carving.
- Show officials and/or judges may disqualify any entry that is objectionable.
- A judge's decision is not subject to change after the competition is over. Judging is considered closed and all decisions are final.
- Judges are not obligated to award ribbons.
Definitions for Competition
ABSTRACT:
An interpretive idea that flows in an interesting way. Art in which designs or forms may be shapeless or without definite form. May be geometric, fluid in nature, unorganized or vague.
BENCH:
Any carving not fitting into another category.
CARICATURE:
The term means a distortion or ludicrous exaggeration of distinguishing features. May be an animal or human.
DECORATIVE WATERFOWL:
Takes on a realistic look with wood burning, under cuts, and painting that closely resembles the real bird. It is a non-functional waterfowl of any scale.
FLOATING WATERFOWL, DECORATIVE LIFE-SIZE:
Entries will be judged from the waterline up and must float with a life-like attitude, but don't have to self-right. Judging will be limited to the waterfowl floating in the tank.
FRETWORK:
A style of decorative openwork to create ornamental pieces in which lines intersect or join one another using straight and/or curved patterns, such as interlacing lines. These pieces are done with a scroll saw.
GUNNING:
This style duck has a smooth surface with no wood burning. The primary feathers can be raised 0 to 1/4" with no undercuts. Painting details may be basic or rough looking.
HIGH RELIEF:
A two dimensional carving, which has additional carving planes to get a perspective (the effect of looking at a real object or scene), and forms or shapes can be rounded out. The carving depth is over 1/2 inch and could have measurements from the starting plane that are 1, 2, 3 or more inches.
HOLIDAY THEME:
Carvings of Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, Leprechaun, or other holiday folklore.
HUMAN FIGURE:
Features are lifelike and proportional to the form of a human head or body. The style may be humorous or serious. No exaggerated features are permitted..
INSTRUCTOR ASSISTED:
The carving was made in a carving class or the carver was assisted by an instructor involving the use of tools on the piece.
INTARSIA:
A style of decorative or pictorial inlay involving a mosiac of wood pieces that are usually made with a scroll saw.
LOW RELIEF:
A two dimensional carving, which involves more than one carving plane. The carving is no deeper than 1/4 inch deep.
MINIATURE CARVING:
Means the carving has been made to half (1/2) the size or less and relates to all categories under wildlife.
MYTHICAL:
Existing only in a myth or myths. A creature that is imaginary, fictitious and not based on facts such as dragons, wizards, gargoyles, tree spirits, and other such subjects.
NATURAL FINISH:
Means the grain of the wood must show through the finish. The use of paint is prohibited. One color staining and/or wood burning is permissible.
PAINTED FINISH :
A carving that has been painted.
REALISTIC:
Means work details are to the extent of closely resembling the real object.
SCROLL SAW - PORTRAIT ART:
A portrait type of pattern, can be of any subject.
SCROLL SAW - OTHER:
To include segmentation, marquetry, inlay, etc. Shall show evidence of being done with a scroll saw.
SHOREBIRD SMOOTHIES:
Will be mounted on a stick with unlimited painting. Feather groups may be carved, but only primary, tertial and tail feathers.
SMOOTH:
The carving has no details, texturing and it is painted or natural
SMOOTHIE:
This style of duck has a smooth surface, no undercuts, and the primary feathers can be raised 0 to 1/4:. Must have realistic shape and painting. Detailed bills are encouraged.
STYLIZED:
Means a creation of form having no details. The shape may be distorted.
The art or process of turning or shaping wood on a lathe. To include bowls, dishes, vessels, containers, lamps, miniatures, laminates, artistic designs and others.
WORKING DECOY - ALL SPECIES FLOATED:
Decoys should be hand made from wood, cork, or stretched canvas. Birds must self-right. There should be no fine detail on the bird. Slight mandible separation will be permitted. No fragile parts allowed. No undercutting of primaries. Primaries may be raised but elevations must be a solid part of the body. Painting schemes must be simplistic. No feather definitions other than outlines. No wood burning or stoning. Texturing by means of paint or paste is allowed. Decoys will be judged for simplicity, durability, and practicality.
WORKING DECOY SMOOTHE ALL SPECIES FLOATED:
Decoys must be made of wood or cork. Decoys will be floated and must self-right from any position. Carvings must have sturdy tails and all raised wings must be durable. No burning or fine texturing is allowed. Combing, blending, scratch painting and stippling are acceptable. No fine brush strokes accepted. Decoys will be judged on form and function.