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) available soon
• 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. Only pieces using museum-quality acrylic (non-reflecting) will be photographed.
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 with Instructions
   This includes class projects, kits, charted designs and pieces with stitch guides. An Artist Statement which provides appropriate credit and source is required and should include any changes made by the entrant.
3. Non-original without Instructions
   This includes painted canvases or pieces without a stitch guide. An Artist Statement which provides appropriate credit and source is required and should include a description of choices made by the entrant.
4. Mixed Media
   The entrant has combined embroidery with another art form thereby stretching the boundaries of both. An Artist Statement is required.
5. Japanese Embroidery
   The entrant stitches in the Japanese method and demonstrates an understanding of the Japanese symbolism and color. May be original or class pieces. An Artist Statement which provides the appropriate credit and source is required.
6. The Exemplary Challenge
   See the details about this year's challenge below. An Artist Statement is required.

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.
   Fee: Entry Fee - $15 per piece or $25 per display table.
2. Next Time at Assembly is a display of programs for the upcoming Assembly.
   Fee: No Entry Fee.
3. Certification, Teacher Cum Laude, or Honors is a display of the candidates' work.
   Fee: No Entry Fee.

Judges

Carlene Harwick is a certified judge through the National Academy of Needlearts. She is a past Director of Judges' Certification for NAN and was instrumental in creating the Master Level and the Exhibit Administrator Associate level for NAN. She has many years of experience in both NAN and ANG including working for their judging programs. She was Vice President for Education for two terms for ANG and is NAN's current Director of Education. Carlene believes that judging needleart is a primary avenue for encouraging all forms of needlework being seen as art.

Patricia Tector received Judges' Certification from the National Academy of Needlearts and won an Honors Scholarship when completing certification in 2003. She also received judges' certification with the American Needlepoint Guild in 2006. She has judged regional exhibits and severd several years as Administrator of The Exemplary. Patricia is now the Assistant Director of Judges' Certification for NAN.

Over the years, Patricia has taken many workshops from noted teachers in an extensive variety of techniques. She had the exciting opportunity to be part of a group in Pennsylvania that studied and practiced a wide range of stitching that was a catalyst for her love of needlework.

Beverly Booker began her needlework certification process with the Council of American Embroiderers. She then earned Judges' Certification with NAN, and subsequently became Director of that program. Beverly likewise earned Level II Teachers' Certification in Design and has served as Director of Teachers' Certification.

Beverly has studied Traditional Japanese Embroidery for several years with Shay Pendray and continues to study with Shay at every opportunity.

The Exemplary announces
2009 Challenge: Hats

Throw your 'hat' in the ring and create a unique piece of needleart. Your entry can be traditionally two-dimensional or 3-D.

Hats off to those who accept the Challenge!!

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.

Registration

Send Entry Form, Artist Statement, and fees, no later than Thursday, February 12, 2009 to

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

Delivery

Ship entries to arrive no later than Saturday, March 7, 2009 at:

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

or

Personally deliver entries no later than Thursday, March 12, 2009 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.

Pick-up entries at

The Exemplary
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:30 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 required for each entry and will be displayed on a card with the piece. Briefly (150 words or less) state important information about your piece, e.g., inspiration, thread, etc. Note any changes in stitch, thread, etc. for non-original pieces. The exhibit personnel reserve the right to edit the Artist Statement.

For more information, contact NAN's Exemplary Administrator.