[MR] A&S competitions

[Annie Hamel]

Good day,

Although I have only been part of this fine organization for the last two
years, I have judged A&S competitions and also entered items into A&S
competitions.  Here's my two cents on the subject.

When I entered items in competitions, I expected a frank evaluation of my
work through the lens of the judges' experience.  Not everyone can know
everything about anything, so I always take comments with a grain of salt.
After my first competition, I did seek the advice of a season A&S competitor
in order to figure out what I need to do to help judges.  I've learned the
hard way that long documentations (of course, it depends on the level of the
competitions) are not always the best thing to do.  The choice of the font
may also impact what will be considered by judges.  For example, in my first
competition, I made a comment in my documentation which was clearly ignored
or passed over by a judge, most probably because the font I chose was too
hard to read.

I have also learned that comments which looked constructive to my eyes, were
deemed insulting and harsh by my friends.  I did not expect to get every
detail right in my first competition, but they took it as a disheartening
sign.  In a way, I can understand because I did put a LOT of effort into my
entry, as I do on every entries I submit.  But I know that I cannot improve
myself without knowing what can be changed for the better so I always make
sure that I don't overreact on comments.  If I'm not sure about the meaning
of a comment, I will seek out the person running the A&S in hope of getting
more details.

Now, I have heard of people making VERY rude comments on A&S attempts.
Since I am not shy, I would make sure that this person would know that this
is not the kind of comments that is acceptable.  Other artisans may not be
as frank, so judges should always keep that in mind.

As far as standing by my entry, I do not think it is practical.  First, most
halls have limited space.  Second, I always try to not appear to hover about
when judging is done.  I do not want the judges, who are volunteers after
all, to feel uncomfortable.  Third, I usually have other things to do while
judging is done.  If it's not helping in the kitchen, it's participating in
another competition.

Finally, when I was a judge, I tried as much as possible to keep everything
I wrote positive, even my suggestions for improvements.
I then seeked the artisans and asked them to grade my judging.  I think that
judging is an art, and you can only get better at it if you get comments on
your reviews.  I also went to a SCA class offered by a member of my Baronny
on how to write and grade A&S projects/documentation.  Hopefully, all this
will help me be a better and fairer judge in the future.

Heloise Le Gardeur


On 4/9/07, Glynis Gwynedd <ylandra at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Unto all the fair folk of Atlantia, greetings.  I have a question to
> put to the populace, and it is not directed in specifics at any one
> person, entry, competition, event, judge, or occurrence.  I am willing
> to stick my neck out and ask the question I've heard echoed many times
> in the past few years. These are deliberately vague generalizations,
> and please take them in the innocent manner in which they are asked -
> not as attacks on anyone or thing.
>
> Regarding A&S competitions, why is it that artisans frequently get
> _no_ feedback on their work, yet hear commentary about it "through the
> grapevine" at a later date?  Actual comments to the artisan (or on
> comment cards left) would help them to hone their talents and produce
> a better piece for next time.  Shiny baubles and bits (tokens) are
> nice, and tell the artisan you liked their piece, but wouldn't it be
> nice to leave just a handwritten bit as well?
>
> My passion is music, and the few competitions that I have competed in
> at Pennsic I did well enough at.  More important to me than "winning"
> a prize or token of appreciation, were the comment cards given to me
> by the judges.  That was more educational to me than anything else
> would be - because it's direct communication of what was good, what
> could be better, and HOW I could make it so.
>
> Again, I am merely asking to spark discussion and stir thoughts, not
> spark flames and stir hornets nests.  This posting is not meant as an
> attack, a gripe, complaint or anything else along those terms.  I have
> remained specifically vague in order to protect those I have heard
> from.
>
> Thank you for your consideration and reading this far.  I (and many
> others, I am certain) appreciate any insight that can be given.
>
> --
> ~Lady Glynis Gwynedd
> Barony of Highland Foorde
> "Have you hugged a harp today?"
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