New England Woodcarvers, Inc.

Levels of Competition

YOUTH (Y):
Open to carvers and wood crafters aged 18 or younger.

NOVICE (N):
A beginning carver who may be a newcomer to competition. Entry can be from a carving class, book, kits or 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, and/or were teacher instructed.

Expert (E):
An experienced carve that is able to create their own carving from layouts and ideas. The use of carving kits, purchased blanks, and teacher instruction is not permitted. This level is for carvers whose work is at the highest skill of the art.

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Competitive Awards

YOUTH (Y):
1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention ribbons

NOVICE (N):
1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention ribbons
Best of Show - Special Rosette and Medallion
2nd Best of Show - Special Rosette

INTERMEDIATE (I):
1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention ribbons
Best of Show - Special Rosette and Medallion
2nd Best of Show - Special Rosette

Expert (E):
1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention ribbons
Best of Show - Special Rosette and Medallion
2nd Best of Show - Special Rosette .

People's Choice Award:
Special Rosette and Medallion

YOUTH (Y):
Special Rosette and Medallion

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Rules for Competition

1. Contest is open to all carvers, wood turners, and scrollers.
2. There is no limit on the number of entries.
3. After four (4) entries, NEWC members may enter as many pieces he/she desires at no additional charge. Refer to registration form for the entry fees.
4. Non-members may enter as many pieces they desire, but based on a different set of fees. Refer to registration form for the entry fees.
5. No fee will be charged to Youth up to and including 18 years of age. There is no limit to the number of pieces a youth may enter.
6. The Competion Room will be closed from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM to judge the carvings entered in competition.
7. A SIGNED registration form must be filled in before entering a piece in competition.
8. All entries must be hand delivered to Middlesex Community College. Please make checks payable to the New England Woodcarvers, Inc.
9. 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.
10. All reasonalble precautions will be taken to protect entries from damage or loss while in the competion room. Beyond this, all entrants place their piece in the competition room at their own risk.
11. Entrants will receive a competitor's badge and a guest pass. Badges must be visibly worn at all times.
12. Award winning carvings from this club cannot be re-entered at any time or any year.
13. Carvings placed in competition must not be more than two (2) years old.
14. After judging is finished, the carver may put STANDARD SIZE (2 x 3.5 inch) business cards next to their carving(s).
15. 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.
16. Carvers and craftman can only enter in one LEVEL.
17. All carver identifications must be covered with opaque tape during the competition.
18. Birds in all competition levels may utilize prefabricated eyes and legs.
19. Carvings must not have any loose parts. Carvings must be secured to a base and able to stand without falling.
20. A first, second, third and honorable mention ribbon will be awarded to each carving DIVISION for each LEVEL. Carving levels will be judged separately. A Best of Show (BOS) ribbon will be awarded to each carving level (except Youth).
21. The People's Choice winner will be decided by spectator's votes.
22. The NEWC club President will decide the President's Choice winner.
23. Judges may adjust an entry's category to best suit the carving.
24. Show officials and/or judges may disqualify any entry that is objectionable.
25. A judge's decision is not subject to change after the competition is over. Judging is considered closed and all decisions are final.
26. Judges are not obligated to award ribbons.

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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:
This duck looks realistic with wood burning, under cuts, and painting that closely resembles the real bird. It is a non-functional waterfowl of any scale.

FLOATING DECOY, GUNNING LIFE-SIZE:
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.

FLOATING DECOY, SMOOTHIE LIFE-SIZE:
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.

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 Clause, 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 permissible.

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 1/2 inch deep.

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 detailed 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.

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.

WOOD TURNING:
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.