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TREATMENT OF JUDGES

A HORROR STORY!

© Joyce Hyam

Ozquilt Network Newsletter # 31 MARCH 1999

I was interested in Dijanne Cevaal's article about training for judges (Ozquilt Network Newsletter Issue #30) and I completely agree with her sentiments. We need more art-trained judges, but, as it takes years to train in this field, I doubt if a short course could solve the problem. The best critics we have had at our Constructive Craft Criticism group which meets four times a year, are artists, not quilters.

I would like to relate my recent experience. On 2nd December 1998, I received a letter from the events and promotion officer of a well known organisation:

"I am pleased to be writing to formally request that you judge the fibre - lace, embroidery, crochet, knitting, quilting section of the above awards in 1999. May I also prevail upon you to provide any copies of entry forms you may have for other exhibitions you have entered. We wish to restyle the entry form this year and would be pleased for any assistance."

In my reply, I expressed my thanks, enclosed copies of entry forms, and stated that my fee for this service is $100.00. I was aware that there had been no payment made to previous judges, and that the entry fee is $15.00. I was of the opinion that there should be some payment to the judge. I received no reply or any communication and about 5th February, I received an entry form which named another person as the judge of this section.

I regard this as an insult and it is obvious that the organisation has no intention of paying even a paltry amount for this onerous task. When judging is discussed, I feel that together with training, payment should also be discussed. For example, what are the rates? To my knowledge, there is no established criterion.

© Joyce Hyam 1999

Editor's note: Joyce has also written of her concerns about being required to assign her copyright to a publisher when she was commissioned to write instructions for a project. When she refused to sign the contract, the publisher terminated the arrangement. She was also disappointed that the quilt she submitted to the publisher was not cared for according to her instructions and was returned in poor condition.

Joyce also feels that quilters are being exploited by publishers who photograph quilts at exhibitions. What do you think?

 

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