Print Competition Queries. And thoughts...It's a long post.

[Cathy Coggins]

Good Morning all! Was do so sketching/planning for my Print Competition piece, I am VERY excited about this, and have a few questions.

Last year, I contemplated competing, but 1) It was a rock! 2) I really had no point of reference on guidelines; and fortunately the rock didn't 'hit me' (ha! pun intended!). Well, having gone to Vegas and SERIOUSLY looked at Open and Print Comp Pieces, I was inspired, a little more grounded on how things proceed and well, INSPIRED!

It was fabulous standing with peers chatting about the comp pieces. Watching the awards and seeing the competitive edginess some of you framers have (won't name names...) but also how interested others were in each others work.

SO! I am so excited about the piece being a textile, I bought TWO pieces from national. I suppose I am now wondering if their are RULES? Must we site sources? I CERTAINLY think we must!!! I feel so very strongly about that I am gonna say that again. As framers using materials we VALUE, and maygo on to PPFA/WCAF next year; and since the framing in the PPFA competition area of the TRADE floor was SO GOOD, SO moving, we ought to make it a draw, a destination for the VENDORS to see what we like, what we are using, what moves us...and perhaps they can get some kudos for getting great ingredients to us as we create with their WARES! Example: I met Mary Fender in Vegas. We we having an exuberant conversation in a vendor booth (I Like Mary, she's my kind of exuberant!) Her rep came over and chatted with her and I; and she mentioned she had used one of his mouldings on her compete piece. Well, the three of us trucked it over to the display and really looked at her fine entry. But the moulding company was NOT sourced. ANYWHERE. (And funny, now as I write this I can't think of WHAT company it was...pity)
WCAF/PPFA have wisely partnered in the beginning of a symbiotic relationship for our main conference...I perceive there can be more work done there.

Personally, I found the compete pieces infused with MUCH more interest, passion and even artistry, than MANY of the trade booths combined. Perhaps because I am an emotionally motivated person who LOVES to KNOW the person behind the art. But, I think that is only a mere tip of a rather interesting iceberg. (I also found needlearts WOEFULLY under-represented...but DO NOT get me started!)

So, can we include a source sheet with each piece? (Maybe like sponsors on a racecar)
Then perhaps some of the SHYER framers who don't know what all of you know, may be moved with framer/peer talent; and THEN moved to go and PURCHASE a similar ware from a vendor; THAT IS RIGHT THERE ON THE TRADE FLOOR, READY WILLING and WANTING to TAKE AN ORDER! Maybe credits. Maybe hold the awards earlier to let the VENDORS have a hand in what we do on display or in THEIR BOOTH with the piece be-ribboned. And credited...how often do YOU show what you do to the people that make it possible...I just know there is something there not being fully utilized. A thought/theory of mine that is rather half-baked.

Oh, and BTW, framers ARE SHY. I approached HUNDREDS I didn't know to inform them about....well, that story is for another day...and I got the "don't make me use pepper spray" look. Or the "want me to buy you a drink" look, or just the "WHY are you talking to me?" look. Well, this is the information age...as they call it; however, one thing that is not further talked about on that topic, is how ignorance is so common now. We as a people, don't know, what we don't know...you know? So, HUMAN contact is much more necessary. We really have to me ambassadors to our knowledge. Not a huge campaign, just another facet to our ways.

So back to my rules. Guidelines to the competition...are their any? Is there anything I can NOT do? (Know I am not planning on spray adhesive it down, or mounting it to a remote controlled car) And I do not plan on altering the piece itself. Perhaps size, or depth? Limits to anything ADDED to it, no not the art itself.

So if anybody got THIS far on my MASSIVE post....tell me what you think. Or who to call or Email. And yes...I will stop drinking coffee.:loco:

 

[Sarah Beckett MCPF]

Hello Dearest,

Yes there are rules.

You get to long in to the PMA site, into the PPFA section. You will find a header titled, Competitions. To the top left is the header, Entrant. There you will find the application forms, the GUIDELINES :smug: and copies of score sheets. Any an all paperwork that goes into the chapter level AND national level competitions. SMART entrants look at it all.

Competition link

ALSO: Linda Pujo and Linda Wassell teach a wonderful class on Understanding Competition Judging. Though you may not be interested in judging, there are wonderful hints on what the judges are looking for in judging. Talk to your Chapter liason and see if you could have one of those wonderful people come to Florida.

I hope this helps. It is so amazing to see someone actually interested in competing! I wish more and more PPFA members would!

-Sarah

 

[Mike Drury MCPF]

Cathy, I read your post from top to bottom. I had thought not long ago about having the competition like a pro bass fishing tournament. Framers get sponsors and wear their logos on jackets and hats and go up on a stage and tell what they did and how, and the judges would tell them what their score was and keep a leader board and on and on...Make theatrical and exciting! Mike

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

Cathy,
It is not all about winning. Taking part is part of it. With these pieces we can apply techniques that we have not been asked to do by customers, bring them in for judging, have the piece returned to us after the competition and hang it on our wall in the shop as another framing option for a customer to choose from. I don't feel bad about not winning anything.

 

[Mikki Kavich MCPF]

CHICKIE! I always tell my vendors if I have used their product...( ask a Tru Vue rep how many times I told them I used that free piece of Museum acrylic in my piece:smug: and they should go see it even if they did not pick my idea for their contest!)

I would LOVE to see the competition have more flair like a Larson Juhl evening! ( Rob could MC and there could be libations!)

There ARE size rules....ask Mike DRURY why that is...( we were going for biggest shadowbox creations...he won!)

BIG BIG BIG rule....do NOT NOT NOT post any photos of your piece before Vegas!!! Everything is annon! ( because they love me bestest and if they knew which one was mine........ welll you see the problem!


Another tip....get the "Objective statement" right. (see Sarah) ( I like a STORY dang it! they don't!)

All judges are just regular people some of them will "GET YOU" and some will be afraid ( very afraid!)

Good luck!

 

[Cathy Coggins]

Thanks for posting everybody. Kai, I am SO not about the winning, IN FACT, if ya reread my GINORMOUS post, you'll see I am really interested in everybody benefiting, including and especially vendors. Sometimes, it seems like we have our paws out a lot to vendors...I think they should benefit too.

MIKE! I think your idea is SUPER COOL. If Rob MCs can I be Vanna???
The awards part was nice in Vegas, but hard to hear, didn't really know who was who and what was what and very last minute and crammed in the corner...although the hootch was NICE!
I think for all the swank and prizes and stuff it should be more like the design star thingy, and a bit more of a this is what I did special and this is who stuff I used, an perhaps an opp for the Vendors to get pics to use in their marketing. As I think PPFA would get WAY more vendor/company vendors if they saw reason for THEIR names to be beside the PPFA's. My penny and a half, and I think that monetarily it would likely benefit EVERYBODY. More bigger members, more hype for PPFA and more Framer members as they see how well everybody can play in the sandbox together.......

Mikki, you ham you! Watch out tho' lump of love! I am pretty cuddly myself and I frame nice!


Queenie, thanks for the links and I shall check them out. And get me to framing! (Sarah is Queenie )

Size...can be too big then??? I have a crazy quilt I wanted to put into Open Competition, perhaps no then....?

Okay folks......Watch out for me in Vegas!

 

[Cathy Coggins]

Oh and not just tell the VENDORS, tell the passersby in Vegas....will lead to MANY MANY sales for the vendors. That of course will mean a MUCH bigger booth next year!

 

[John Barlowe]

Size...can be too big then??? I have a crazy quilt I wanted to put into Open Competition, perhaps no then....?

Okay folks......Watch out for me in Vegas!

There are size restrictions - at least as far as shipping costs go. Don't remember the sizes offhand but when you exceed a certain size your entry fee goes up. I believe they stated that next year if you haven't prepaid the correct fee our piece will not be judged ( I could be wrong - but I think I remember reading that) Remember also that the bigger the piece the more substantial your shipping crate will need to be to survive the wrath of the fork lift drivers.

 

[Cliff Wilson MCPF]

Cathie, so glad you are entering! Be happy to answer questions if you want to call.

Size is a problem for shipping and setup. I don't believe there is an official restriction, but larger pieces have been nothing but problems and probably have a harder time in the competition to boot. (This is an individual judge thing, but I'd say try not to get too big.)

It's been said, but I'll say it again ... pay attention to the objective. Go question by question on the judges sheet and see how you would answer the question.

PS I think John is right, they put a premium on the entry fee to cover the added costs of oversize pieces. It really is just a bad idea.

 

[Cathy Coggins]

I just downloaded and printed the GUIDELINES...All 32 pages. I have a couple of ideas. The print piece is not gonna be huge, but I have an idea or two knocking around the ole noggin for Open. Will see then?

So, lotsa encouragement on the "go Cath not (ie) and compete" but not a lot of chatter on my Vendor ideas....interesting. Am I nuts? Are my ideas too opaque? Or is it too big a taco stand to conquer??
Think there is anything there....? Cliffie??? Sorry couldn't resist fella!:laughing:

 

[Cliff Wilson MCPF]

I'd love a better display and better presentation! Comes down to money.
Maybe I'll volunteer to MC at least the sound won't be a problem!

There is a material list as part of the description form. We've actually gotten away from listing vendors because it wasn't particularly informative to the judges.

The other trouble with mentioning vendors are things like the last one I did, it had two frames from Nurre and two frames from Larson on it. (1st place chapter)

I'm sitting here looking at one of my competition pieces that has an AMPF, a Presto, and two Larson's on it. (3rd place chapter)

The last two from Andy, he completely changed the finish on.

Think about the frames from last years print ... many, if not most, were custom designed.

I guess I'm not sure you can accomplish what you think you can with vendor mentions???

Not saying it can't be done, just that it's a lot more convoluted than you first implied.

P.S. This is my fourth year not being allowed to compete. I miss it.

 

[John Barlowe]

Cathy, some of the regional vendor shows have non PPFA competitions and usually that is where they might require their moulding to be used. I think your idea as some merit and it is worth kicking around.

Maybe a descriptive card could be displayed with the piece after judging listing the components. If the vendors got recognition and were able to use the piece in promotion maybe they would donate materials. Understandable they wouldn't want a competing vendor as part of the package though, so that might limit creative choices.

Maybe more vendors could hold individual competitions at their booth as Larson and Tru-Vue did this past year.

 

[Cathy Coggins]

Ya know Cliff, I understand what you are saying. But I want ya to forget that for a moment, or rather turn it on it's ear. When you cook, ya don't always use one company. You search for the best to your liking to make your dish...cookbooks aren't always Brand friendly only; but they do sell for brands.
Next, think of a Bibliography in a book, it doesn't source people that happen to have the same interests, be friends or colleagues, it sources so it can be found out. SO WHAT if a design uses 4 frame companies, or glitter encrusts them all.

Finding is the goal. We use what we like a innovators. LJ or Nurre may not always make JUST the right color, but they MAKE. And I know I have GROWN as a framer exponentially since talking networking and sharing sources with other framers. AND many framers may not know that Andy not only changes finishes but TEACHES how to change finishes...Sourcing would benefit, the supplier, PPFA (valuable Source info given from, shows them to be the GLUE keep industry together and relevant) and ANDY.

I too would LOVE to see a bigger space, more front and center...I know it's dough. And more exciting and a MUST see, not just for the participants (PPFA already has our $, efforts and support/ adoration) but a hub of "did you see what Mr Langwah did with the new line from LJ, and that fab fillet from X, and _____. Ya see we are already in. WHAT is making the others not in, WANT to come in...it ain't watching us pat each other on the butt.

I will totally wear a Vanna White Sequined dress to present, or HECK Cliff YOU COULD!! That make 'em wonder!
The prizes are fab, the attention super, but what is it doing for the other 80% of the people there that don't feel part of it, and therefore aren't looking or joining.

I am not saying you are not right, My favorite Cliff Wilson in the whole entire world...I am saying. Just for a moment, set your ideas aside and look at the potential that JUST MAY be missed. I think it is BIG and maybe, the money is out there...or the support if we look at things differently.

Just a thought...now I am gonna go have some wine to get the pic of you in a cocktail dress outta my head!:shocked: