[MR] A&S issue

[Janina Krakowska]

I have judged (and been judged) many times.  I admit that I am very
uncomfortable with the numeric scales, as I have difficulty deciding the
fine differences. But the written comments? Oh no problem. I usually have
to ask for additional paper if it is an area that I am knowledgeable ad
possibly skilled in because the little square is too small.  I will leave
extensive notes with my name, and contact information with offers to lend
my library if the entrant is in embroidery.  But I do not recall anyone
contacting me later. This makes me sad as I really would love to share my
neat stuff.

But the problem arises when there are too few judges available and I am
asked to judge something that I am unfamiliar with.  This is where the
documentation really comes in handy.  This is where I can learn about the
art, what it is supposed to be ad how it is supposed to be done.  I usually
can identify fine workmanship in general, but is your technique similar to
period or did you have to use an alternate because of outside needs.  Your
docs can answer this for me and hep me out. Please tell me why your entry
is so incredibly spiffy!  The surface problem with the standard judging
sheet is the requirement that no documentation automatically gets a zero.
That is not a slam - just a fact of life.  If docs are optional, then if
someone goes the extra yard and brings some, then shouldn't they get a
little extra credit?

I have felt poorly after being judging in my 35 year career in the SCA.
Looking back, it was usually just the truth and I had left out some really
important information that would have been taken into consideration if the
judges knew.  Very occasionally the judge was talking through their hat.
If I know a new artist, I work on educating them in the ways of the A&S
environment and have been known to 'X' out an entire column and tell them
to ignore those comments.

This will always be a difficult subject. People put a lot of effort and
themselves into their projects. It is very hard to separate criticism of
the item from criticism of themselves.  I know that I have had this problem
- my work is a reflection of me.  I am unaware of any judge who
intentionally wants to hurt anyone.  Maybe the wording comes across wrong
and that is a sad thing.  Please talk to the judge - email if needed (since
finding someone late in an event can be a real trick). I don't now anyone
who doesn't want to talk your ear off about something they are passionate
about, and we hope the judges are passionate.

Just my long winded thoughts as I have read through all of the comments.

In Service to Atlantia

Janina Krakowska
Companion of the Pearl