2008 Santa Contest results

[BobD]

Hi Gang, Here's the place to discuss the 2008 WCI Santa Carving Contest results. Bob

[Mitchell]

Here's a link to results page:

Santa Carving Contest - Fox Chapel Publishing

Congratulations to the winners and to all the great looking entries.

[K. Ellenburg]

How much weight does the peoples vote have with the judges or is this like the Presidential Elections where one candidate can win the popular vote but still lose the election. In my opinion the peoples choice should be the over all winner, how can one person garner so many votes and still come in second and the Grand prize winner, win on the decision of a handful of judges?
Kevin

[CarverFromNoWhere]

Thanks for making this area Bob, those winners where well earned.
Carl

[BobD]

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your feedback.

The people's choice is just that...the popular favorite. The judges take a number of things into account when making their decision.

Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[K. Ellenburg]

Originally Posted by BobD

Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your feedback.

The people's choice is just that...the popular favorite. The judges take a number of things into account when making their decision.

Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

Thanks Bob for your reply, can you tell me in more detail what the judges were looking for? I know the subject was touched on briefly but can you reiterate. Thanks
Kevin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Well I am sorry to say, the judges choice looks more political to me...a good carving chosen....but not a great carving in my opinion and many many more were head and shoulders above the choice...sorry but thats my take!

[BobD]

There's not a whole lot not mentioned in the write up...

The judges looked at the overall composition of the piece, how the piece flowed, how the elements of the carving drew you into the scene, how the carving told you a story. Was the piece overwhelming or was it difficult to figure out what the carver wanted you to look at? Was the pose of the carving believable?

The judges also looked at the the technical execution of a piece...were the cuts clean, the painting well executed, the carving techniques executed well.

Another thing the judges looked at was the freshness of the carving. Is it something that we've all seen in the past (a Santa holding a bag of toys), or was it innovative and different.

Hope this helps.
Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[lorax]

I was thinking the same thing as Kevin. Not just the Peoples choice, but there are a ton that are well executed and artistically designed. Not that the grand prize winner wasn't, but there were some that were amazing.

[BobD]

Well, Dave...it just goes to show that not everyone has the same taste.

I can assure you it was in no way political....Why would it be? Who stands to gain?

Bob