SEMINAR 2009 NAUTICAL NEEDLES

Exhibit Rules

Submission to the proper category is the exhibitor’s responsibility, as is the submission of required information. All entries submitted for judging will be judged unless disqualified. If it is the consensus of the panel of judges that a piece has been entered in the improper category, the piece may be moved to the correct category after a reasonable attempt has been made to contact the exhibitor. The decision of the judges is final.
At the exhibitor’s option, a written critique done by one of the exhibit judges will be available for a fee of $25 per critique.
The Exhibit Report Form will be provided to each exhibitor with the judges’ scores.
ANG strongly recommends that no item framed under glass or Plexiglas be submitted for exhibit. Aside from the obvious problems of breakage in transit, needlework under glass creates a glare that detracts from the overall appearance of the exhibit piece. It is difficult to judge these items fairly because light reflection casts shadows and stitches may seem distorted. Any piece with glass/Plexiglas will automatically have five (5) points deducted from the score in the finishing element, unless the judges deem such use is an integral part of the design and/or presentation. If glass is desired, it is recommended that exhibitors have their needlework framed to allow for the addition of glass after the Exhibit.
Entry is restricted to members of ANG in good standing, except for youth entries or invited entries. All entries must conform to the ANG definition of needlepoint: any counted or free stitchery done by hand with a threaded needle on a readily counted ground material.
Pieces to be hung must have picture wire from edge to edge (no saw-tooth, center-hanging devices). Entrant may include suggestions for display, but the final decision will be ANG’s.
Be sure insurance adequately covers the value of the piece(s). More than 1,000 people will view this exhibit, and even though every reasonable precaution is taken, ANG is not responsible for any damage while the exhibitor’s piece is under its care, custody, or control.
Works entered in previous ANG Seminar Exhibits are not eligible for entry, except for pieces that were previously entered in non-judged categories.
One “Exhibitor” pin will be given to each exhibitor regardless of the number of entries.
Complete Section I of the Exhibit Entry Form on page 44 for each entry. Mail Section I of the form with a check for fees (payable to ANG, Inc.) to Sue Edquist, N27 W. 27190 Woodland Drive, Pewaukee, WI 53072-4458, (262) 695-1783, E-mail. Entry form(s) should be postmarked no later than June 26, 2009.
Entries must arrive no later than July 24, 2009. Ship to Sue Edquist, N27 W. 27190 Woodland Drive, Pewaukee, WI 53072- 4458. You may hand-deliver your exhibit pieces to the Milwaukee Exhibit site. They must be presented to the Exhibit Chair on Thursday, August 27, by noon. All entry forms and fees must be postmarked by the deadline date of June 26, 2009.
It is the exhibitor’s responsibility to include a prepaid return shipping label with sufficient insurance coverage, by method of choice, for each entry. ANG prefers to ship via UPS or USPS, if at all possible. If the entrant cannot pick up the entry, a sturdy, damage-free carton must be provided, including all packing materials. NO LOOSE PEANUTS, PLEASE. If you must use peanuts, please put them in a resealable plastic bag. A better option would be to use air pillows.
If entry is being claimed in person, a receipt must be presented as proof of authorization for pickup when claiming the entry. Pick up day and time will be posted in the Exhibit Hall in Milwaukee.
All Artist’s Statements must be typed, double-spaced, and included with every entry in the Original and Adaptation categories. The judges read these statements, so please do not use your name; instead, put the name of the entry on the statement.

Questions concerning the Exhibit? Contact...
Sue Edquist
N27 W. 27190 Woodland Drive
Pewaukee, WI 53072-4458
Email

Exhibit Categories

For judging purposes, ANG distinguishes between the nonprofessional and the professional as follows:

Non-Professional: Anyone who, at the time of entry submission and previously, engages in needlework as a pastime and for pleasure rather than for financial gain. Teaching, presenting programs/lectures for guilds, or community service will not change the status of a non-professional.

Professional: Anyone who, at the time of entry submission and previously, engages in needlework as a teacher, judge, artist/ designer, lecturer, author, or stitches for commissioned work and who receives earned remuneration.

The ANG Exhibit judged categories:

Original is a unique, one-of-a-kind design, interpreted within the definition of needlepoint from the mind and hands of the artist/stitcher to whom it is credited. The design should bear no recognizable influence from other needlepoint sources. Any stitch that can be accomplished with a threaded needle may be used in the interpretation of the design. A typed, double-spaced Artist’s Statement must accompany each original entry, along with the original sketches and/or photographs, and include an explanation of inspirational sources. Unusual techniques and materials used in the development of the design or execution of the finished work must be explained. The original entry must be the work of the exhibiting artist, with no outside help from any other person.
Adaptation is a design translated or adapted from a design source created in a medium other than needlepoint. The adaptation may be an exact visual needlepoint reproduction of the original design, or may contain easily recognizable elements from that design. Any stitch that can be accomplished with a threaded needle may be used in the interpretation of the design. A typed, double-spaced Artist’s Statement must accompany each adaptation entry, along with the original sketches or photographs, and include an explanation of inspirational sources. Unusual techniques and materials used in the development development of the design or execution of the finished work must be explained. The adaptation must be the work of the exhibiting artist, with no outside help from any other person.
Independent project is a design worked without person-to-person interaction, without a teacher in a physical classroom environment, such as Workshop by Mail, needlepoint book, graph, chart, leaflet, line drawing, or kit.
Painted Design without Stitch Guide is needlepoint worked on a pre-painted or stamped canvas or on a canvas designed for the exhibitor. The choice of stitches, threads, and colors are those of the exhibitor.
Painted Design with Stitch Guide is needlepoint worked on a pre-painted or stamped canvas or on a canvas designed for the exhibitor, accompanied by instructions or suggestions for stitches, threads, and/or color choices. This includes painted canvas embellishment classes in which the instructor provides individualized stitch and thread suggestions. A stitch guide includes written or verbal instructions or suggestions given to the stitcher for stitches, threads, or colors.
Class Project is needlepoint worked with person-to-person interaction between the student and the teacher, usually in a physical classroom environment (i.e., Seminars, shops, chapter meetings, and workshops). It also includes Correspondence Courses and CyberWorkshops. The teacher and the title of the class must be listed.

The ANG Exhibit non-judged categories:

Non-Judged is any entry the stitcher does not wish to have judged or voted upon by registrants.
Youth Is a non-judged category with no entry fee and is limited to two entries per person. Current age of stitcher must be less than 16 years old. The stitcher is not required to be an ANG member, but must be sponsored by an ANG member.

Special Awards 2009

The PRINCESS GRACE AWARD may be given to any entry, in any judged category, that is worked entirely in the tent stitch without embellishments such as beads or other attachments, in order to maintain the purity of the stitching technique. The tent stitch is defined as going over one intersection from lower left to upper right with no back stitches, seed stitches, or outline stitches.

The SAMPLER AWARD may be given to an entry that is a collection of patterns, stitches, and techniques put together in a convenient form for reference on a readily counted ground. The award may be given for an entry in any category, including historical reproductions and class projects that meet the stated criteria.

The CREATIVE INSPIRATION AWARD may be given for a piece in the Original or Adaptation category that the judges decide is best in creative design and its elements, which includes best use of color. An artist’s statement must accompany the entry.

The WEARABLE ART AWARD may be given to an entry in the Original, Adaptation, or Painted Design without Stitch Guide category that the judges decide demonstrates the most creative wearable canvas embroidery, excluding name tags.

The SMALL MASTERPIECE AWARD may be given for an entry (piece or set), in any judged category, with the length plus width of the stitched area of a two-dimensional piece being less than or equal to ten (10) inches, or the length plus width plus depth of the stitched area of a three-dimensional piece being less than or equal to fifteen (15) inches. If an entry consists of multiple pieces, they shall be judged for this award if each piece in the set fits the criteria of a Small Masterpiece.

The SILK AND METAL AWARD may be given for a piece in the Original or Adaptation category that is worked entirely in silk and metallic and/or metal threads, and that the judges decide is
the best use of these threads.

The FOUNDERS AWARD may be given to any entry in the Class Project category that demonstrates the student’s development of the project, including presenting the finished stitched piece in a different format or doing multiples of the same project.

For the Milwaukee Exhibit, “Random Long and Short” has been selected for the PRESIDENT’S CHOICE AWARD. The best use of random long and short stitches, also known as thread painting, is for shading and to give realistic look to flowers and animals. On flowers, the stitches should radiate out from the centers, and for animals, the stitches should move in the same direction as the body shape. These stitches make the areas flow as they would look in real life and give a dimensional look to the particular object.

The first rows of stitches should be of different lengths, and subsequent rows should not share with the previous row, but instead merge with one another to eliminate definite lines. Another element of long and short is to start from the outside and work toward the center. Go back over these with one strand of floss or silk and add the little accents; this last step adds highlights to both flowers and animals.

This award will be given for a piece selected from the Original, Adaptation, Independent Project, or Class Project categories that best represents this technique.

The FIRST-TIME EXHIBITOR AWARD may be given to an entry in any judged category that is entered by a first-time exhibitor. A first-time exhibitor is defined as a person entering the exhibit for the very first time. Anyone who has entered anything in a nonjudged or judged category, whether non-professional or professional, in a past Seminar is excluded. The exception would be teaching pieces for past or future seminars, and distant learning and certification programs.

The CHRISTMAS-THEMED AWARD may be given to an entry in any judged category that the judges decide demonstrates the most creative embroidery with a Christmas theme. The special ribbon center for this ribbon is stitched by donors of this award.

The HILTON STITCH AWARD may be given to an entry that demonstrates the most effective use of Hilton stitches. An entry in any category may qualify for this ribbon.

Entry Form

The exhibit entry form is available on this website in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). You can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader, free of charge, at Adobe's website.

Entry forms (PDF format)

Exhibit Entry Part II (PDF format)

Quest XVI

Wind and Water

The Quest Challenge celebrates its 16th year by offering an opportunity for all needle artists to create and exhibit an original or adapted piece of needlepoint at the ANG Seminar Exhibit 2009 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All members of ANG are encouraged to accept the challenge and participate in Quest XVI by demonstrating their stitching abilities based on the 2009 theme: Wind and Water.

The theme, Wind and Water, offers limitless possibilities for individual interpretation and design choices. Consider all meanings — physical and imagined, personal and traditional, literal and abstract — as the source of your inspiration for a special stitched entry. Creative interpretation is the key to success in Quest challenges. As you let your creativity soar, the primary concern should be excellence in design and interpretation of the theme.

Stitched pieces may be entered in the Original and Adaptation judged categories, or in the non-judged category of the exhibit, and they must be designated as Quest entries. While technical ability is always a factor, it is not a primary consideration in the Quest challenge. Quest entries will be evaluated by a panel of qualified judges who will focus on the creative interpretation of the theme. An Artist’s Statement explaining the design and the interpretation as relevant to the theme must accompany each Quest entry. The Artist’s Statement will become part of the Quest program archives. The judges will review the Artist’s Statement, evaluate the relativity of the written material to the design and stitched needlepoint, and write a brief evaluation. Qualifying entries will receive the judges’ brief evaluation and a special Quest Certificate of Participation.

For 2009, there will be up to three Seminar scholarships awarded to entries in the Quest program that are also entered in the Original Category of the Exhibit. Only Quest XVI entries in the Original Category will be eligible for the scholarships. The Quest entry with the highest judged score in the Original Category will receive a $300 scholarship. The second-highest judged score will receive a $200 scholarship, and the third-highest score will receive a $100 scholarship. Any ties will be broken by the Quest judges. The scholarships must be used for the 2010 or 2011 Seminar.

QUEST XVI is sponsored by the ANG Judging Certification Program.

Release of Photo Forms

You can complete the consent for Release of Photos that is required for Exhibit winning pictures used in Needle Pointers or on the Web Site. Click here to see the form. This form will help all those who are planning on entering the Exhibit at Seminar by giving you a little extra time to secure the written consent from the designer when necessary. When completed, mail to the current Exhibit Chair. The name and address are listed on the inside back cover of Needle Pointers

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