[MR] A&S competitions

[Anne Ramey]

It seems to me the problem is on several levels:

1) Judges are often pressed for time
2) Judges receive no training and not always the best at working with people
3) Sometimes it's hard to get across a comment on paper, especially in the small sections of the judging sheets
4) Many judges have either had bad experiences upsetting folks with well-meant comments or have heard of so many of them, they are hesitant to comment.
5)  Many artisan say they want comments, but are upset/discouraged when they get anything other than: "this is great"

I have asked artisans to stand with their work at competitions.  When I have seen this happen, it resolves pretty much all of these issues.  Never have I had the artisans do so.  They say they will try and make it back if they can, but don't.  Perhaps if artisans would stay with their work (making their art a proirity not only before the event, but at the event), they would see who left the tokens and have converations about their work and how it can be improved.  They can find what questions are being asked (that may not be covered in their documentation), etc.

I am an artisan myself and have suffered from the dirth of comments, and have been upset by well-meant comments that did not come across as intended, and find that when I stay with my work, it makes a huge difference.   I also know how difficult it can be to allot that time to that at an event.  But honestly, someone cannot compete in a heavy or rapier tourney without being present...why should we never have to attend our competitions?

My 2 francs,
Jehanette de Provins