Exemplary Entry Information

The Exemplary Entry form is available on this Web site in two formats.  The preferred form is stored in Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format). You can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader, free of charge, at Adobe's Web site. You may use the alternate HTML format if you would rather not install the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

• Entry Form (PDF format)
• Entry Form (HTML format)

Exemplary Eligibility & Entry Rules

1. Each entry must be embroidery: i.e., created with a threaded needle.
2. Each entry must belong to the entrant. To be judged, the entry must be the work of the entrant.
3. Each entry is eligible for the judged competition only once.
4. Each entry is limited to a size that can be insured and shipped by the US Post Office or UPS.
5. Entries with glass should be personally delivered and picked up. Pieces shipped with glass are at your own risk.
6. Entries packed with loose Styrofoam "peanuts" will not be unpacked and displayed.
7. Each entry must be completely and appropriately finished.
8. Each entry must be equipped appropriately for display with the necessary cases, stands or hangers (no sawtooth hangers).
9. Each entry must have the title, entrant's name, address and telephone number firmly attached to the back of the piece.
10. Each entry must be properly registered by the deadline.

Awards

Each entry will be judged on its own merits, regardless of source. Ribbons for first, second, third and honorable mention are available for each category. Best of Show (Jean Taggart Award) will be selected from the first place winners. Ribbons will be awarded at the sole discretion of the judges and the judges' decisions are final. Each judge also has the option to select one entry to receive a Judge's Choice award.

Three awards representing the Academy's goals of excellence, innovation, and heart will be presented by the Academy's Board of Directors:

• The Exemplary, demonstrating outstanding technical skill
• The Muse's Kiss (The Peg Laflam Award), demonstrating innovation or imagination
• The Academy Heart, demonstrating a quality symbolically associated with heart such as beauty, wisdom, passion, or courage.

There are three sponsored awards:

• The Hope Hanley Award presented, at the discretion of the Board, to the entry that most advances the art of canvas embroidery.
• The Linda Calsing Award is presented when, in the opinion of the judges, a piece reflects Linda's love of history and travel.
• The Betsy Robb Award is presented for excellence using silk and metal.

Finally, each person attending the exhibit may nominate an entry for The Favorite award which will be presented at the Awards Banquet to the piece with the most nominations.

Categories for Judged Entries

Amateur and professional work will be judged separately. A professional is a person who is trained through continuous years of experience and education in the field of needlework. This includes designing and/or teaching, holding certification, or belonging to a group such as Fiber Forum. This also includes designers and shop owners/employees who teach needlework on a regular basis for a monetary consideration, or anyone who considers him/herself to be a professional.

1. Original
   The entrant has taken control of and responsibility for all aspects of the entry from the initial concept, through the development of design, to its final execution and presentation. An Artist Statement is required. (For the purposes of this exhibit, adaptations are included in this category.)
2. Non-original
   The entrant has built on the work of others through instruction and/or through the purchase and/or use of another's design. An Artist Statement which provides appropriate credit is required. (Includes class pieces and pieces worked from purchased instructions.)
3. Mixed Media
   The entrant has combined embroidery with another art form thereby stretching the boundaries of both. An Artist Statement is required.
4. Japanese Embroidery
   The entrant stitches in the Japanese method and demonstrates an understanding of the Japanese symbolism and color. May be original or a class piece. An Artist Statement which provides the appropriate credit and source is required.

Fees for Judged Entries

$15 for the first entry and $10 for each subsequent entry. The fee for a multi-piece entry (i.e., Nativity Set, Noah's Ark, etc.) is $25 per entry. Entrant pays for shipping and insurance.

Categories for Non-judged Entries

These displays are not judged and are not eligible for awards.

1. Needleart on Loan provides the opportunity for anyone to share personal challenges, family, historical, or ethnic embroidery. Please include a typewritten description of the entry.
   Entry Fee - $15 per piece or $25 per display table.
2. Next Time at Assembly is a display of programs for the upcoming Assembly. All contracted teachers are required to participate.
   Neither Entry Fee nor shipping charges. The Exemplary Entry Form must be submitted.
3. Certification or Honors is a display of the candidates' work.
   No Entry Fee. Candidates are responsible for shipping, insurance, and packing.

Exemplary Sales

Any entry, judged or not, may be offered for sale through the exhibit for a 30% commission payable to the National Academy of Needlearts at the time of sale. The 30% commission applies to sales or to work commissioned during the exhibit or as a result of exhibiting for 90 days following the exhibit. The seller is responsible for setting the sale price. Sales are for in-person delivery only, with delivery after the end of the exhibit. Work may not be removed from the exhibit prior to its closing. The buyer or seller must make arrangements for packing or shipping.

Critiquing

Each year a highly qualified judge is selected to critique entries. At the entrant's discretion, a one-page critique is available to any entry, judged or not, including Certification pieces.

Fee: $20 per critique.

Photography

With the entrant's permission, the Academy photographs distinctive pieces for educational and archival purposes and for use on the Academy Web site. No other photography will be allowed without further permission from the entrant.

Judges

Connie Lynn Borserine received her Judges' Certification from the National Academy of Needlearts and was awarded the Louise Downing Scholarship for Honors when completing certification in 1998. Connie Lynn also holds certification as a Certified Needlework Appraiser from the American Needlepoint Guild. She has judged national and regional exhibits, served as Admininistrator of the Exemplary and is currently the Director of Judges' Certification for NAN.

Connie Lynn received a B.A. in Music Education and French from Avila University in Kansas City, Missouri and pursued graduate work in vocal performance. She has traveled extensively in France and studied embroidery and lacemaking in both France and Italy. Her love of historical textiles and modern embroidery has found expression as the co-owner of a retail shop, Needle Fiber Arts, Inc. since 1981.

Dinny Brones graduated from Mills Colelge in Oakland, California with a B.A. in Clothing and Textiles. She has been involved for 34+ years in needlework -- teaching and working in the Seattle, Washington area. She has studied embroidery extensively with teachers from all over the country.

Dinny received her Judges' Certification from NAN in 1997 and judged for NAN's Exemplary in 1998, as well as for ANG's national seminar and a regional seminar for EGA. She has judged for the Western Washington State Fair for 10 years and for various other county fairs in the area, and recently judged a juried show for Pacific northwest Needlearts Guild in 2006.

Dinny has worked for Tricoter (a knitting and needlepoint shop) for 16 years teaching classes, embellishing knitted garments and throws, also teaching cord and tassel-making. In addition, she teaches for local chapters. She regularly attends national seminars for ANG, NAN, EGA, and Callaway School of Needlework.

She was married for 51 years (husband Ben passed away August 2006). She has two sons, Mitchell and Warren, and three grandchildren - Benjamin, Sarah, and Scott. Dinny loves needlework, her family, and her garden.

Registration

Send Entry Form, Artist Statement, and fees, no later than Thursday, February 7, 2008 to

NAN Exhibit
4001 W 87th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66207

Delivery

Ship entries to arrive no later than Saturday, March 1, 2007 at:

NAN Exhibit
4001 W 87th Street
Prairie Village, KS 66207

or

Personally deliver entries no later than Thursday, March 6, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.

Judging will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. Late arrivals will be displayed but not judged.

While care will be taken with all entries, The Academy and The Intercontinental Hotel are not responsible for loss or damage. Please check that your homeowner's insurance policy adequately covers your entries.

Return

Pick-up entries at

The Exemplary
Tuesday, March 11, 2007 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

or

Entries pre-registered for return shipping will be shipped immediately after the exhibit.

Return Entries may not be removed from the exhibit prior to pick-up time.

The Academy and The Intercontinental Hotel reserve the right to refuse to exhibit any entry that either party deems inappropriate. The Academy also reserves the right to re-classify any judged entry that is entered in an incorrect category.

Artist Statement

Artist Statements are important in the judging process. Briefly (150 words or less) state important information about your piece, e.g., inspiration, thread, etc. Artist Statements are required and will be displayed on a card along with the piece. Please type on white paper and attach to the entry form. The exhibit personnel reserve the right to edit the Artist Statement.

For more information, contact NAN's Exemplary Administrator.