[K Karver]

Our Junior High art program is looking to include woodcarving as one of the categories for art that students may submit for the Fine Arts contest at the school. What is needed are some clear guidelines for judging student pieces. The students would be 12-14 years old. For most it is their first or second piece. Many of the pieces will be instructor assisted.

Does anyone have some good guidelines in print for judging in such a situation.

Thanks for your help in advance.

John K Karver

[Kenny_S]

I think each judge have their own agenda as far as judging carvings or what have you. Basicly, what do you look in a carving and what one prefers.
I may be wrong but the gist of it is what I have observed at carving shows.

[Claude]

I'll start off a list of generic things to look at for judges:

1. Clean knife cuts
2. Smooth finish without fuzzies sticking up out of the varnish/laquer/shellac; this does not mean it has to be sanded.
3. Good paint work: no runs, drips, etc.
(Assuming there are different categories...:
if realistic, does it look realistic?
if a chip carving, are all the appropriate chips the same size?
if it is set in a scene, does the scene contribute to, or take away from, the carving itself?
if it is a relief, is the perspective proper; are the layers of depth appropriate?


Ok - add to these (or tell me I'm wrong, either way)
Claude

[Mitchell]

This is something that may get you started:

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CARVING SHOW JUDGING CRITERIA

From CHIP CHATS Jan.-Feb., 1989, Page 25



Carving should be judged on seven elements and be given points on a scale equal to the percentage shown in the table at the bottom of this page.
Creativity -- Having the power to originate or create; to bring into, or cause to come into existence; to make out of nothing (Artistic style or composition which enhances the nature of the piece).
Originality -- The quality of being new or novel; the ability to create or make something new; inventiveness (Newness or freshness of design).
Finish -- To complete, bring to an end, polish, the final touches given to a work (Paint, stain, polish, etc., which are the final touches given to a project).
Execution -- Performance; the act or manner of carrying anything into effect, completion (Rendition of detail, cleanness of cuts)
Complexity -- The state of being intricate or involved; something intricate (The amount of detail included in the project).
Realism -- The tendency to concern oneself with actuality or fact; the practice of presenting people or things as they are in real life without idealization (True to life).
Presentation -- The act, manner, or state of introducing, offering or bringing to consideration (Over-all effect of project on audience; environment supporting carved or detailed pieces).

The following percentages were assigned to each of the seven points.

Abstract / Chip / Caricature / Realistic Or Stylized Carving

Creativity 25% 10% 20% 25%
Originality 15% 15% 20% 10%
Finish 10% 15% 20% 10%
Execution 10% 10% 10% 25%
Complexity 10% 10% 10% 25%
Realism 10% 25% 5% 0%

Presentation20% 15% 15% 5%




Note: Some judges start with a total number of points equal to the percentage assigned to the category, then subtract points if need be in each category as they judge. To assign the total score, they will total the number subtracted, then subtract that number from 100.

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Well, it did paste, but I lost the format for the table - the numbers should correspond with the heading of Abstract / Chip / Caricature / Realistic or Stylized (I assume that these were grouped together only because the scoring would be the same, not because they would be in the same category). Because there are instructors involved, you can change around the numbering system to fit the program.

[K Karver]

Kenny, George, and Mitchell. Thanks for the input. I appreciate the ideas and the work.

John K Karver