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Visual Arts & Crafts - Read Rules BEFORE crafting!
General Rules
1. Entries are not restricted to sacred themes, but entries which reflect sensualism, humanism, occultism, or worldliness (for example - comic book heroes or Disney characters) will be disqualified. Any subject detrimental to spiritual edification will not be allowed. Points will be deducted if all directions are not followed. Entries must be able to relate to the Bible Linkage Form (see #2).
2. All participants are required to provide linkage to the Bible and to Christ (Form A). All Scripture references must come from the King James Version of the Bible. Please email the FCAA office (bedell@desoto.net) if you have trouble finding the required linkages. A copy of this form (Form A) must be included with the judge forms. NOTE: This form has been updated! Review this form BEFORE creating artwork.
3. Entries may be submitted in two grade divisions: Jr. High division (6th-8th grade) and Sr. High division (9th -12th grade).
4. Each school may enter only two students per category in each division. Students may submit only ONE entry per category.
5. Each participating school will have one contact representative for the arts who will check in all entries prior to competition and submit all entries with the required attachments on the date of the competition to the check-in station. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL ENTRIES AND FORMS ARE COMPLETED BEFORE ARRIVING AT LANDMARK BAPTIST CHURCH. Forms for each piece MUST be completely filled out or the pieces will NOT be checked in.
6. Each entry must be entirely the original work of one eligible student and created during the current year starting after the last competition (May 2024 through April 2025). The student may receive advice or instruction.
7. All art and photo entries must be MATTED—NOT FRAMED unless otherwise noted in the instructions. Photo mats may be any color that complements the picture. Black and white photos should have white mats only.
8. Photos may not have obvious “touch up” work. Good retouching, whether digital or analog, cannot be detected.
a. Retouching work should be limited to enhancements and modifications that improve the presentation of the image, but do not change the original photo. There can be no additions or replacement of objects in an image. Red-eye removal and spot editing are permitted.
b. Retouching may only include the use of corrective functions to improve the natural appearance (i.e., levels, contrast, curves, brightness, intensity, hue, tone, saturation, color balance, etc.)
c. Artistic filters may NOT be used.
d. Retouching is part of the creative process. Good retouching cannot be seen, and poor retouching will be graded against; therefore, graphics and text must not be included.
9. Upon arrival, each entry must submit the following at the check-in station:
● A label on the back of the entry with the student’s name, school, grade, project title, and category (download a provided label below or create your own)
● Three judging forms filled out with student and project information
● A completed idea statement with signed “Statement of Originality”
● Linkage to Bible and Christ (Form A)
● Please do not use sheet protectors for judge forms.
Event Categories
ART
Category 1: Monochromatic Drawing - 2 entries for each division
Category 2: Polychromatic Drawing - 2 entries for each division
Category 3: Watercolor - 2 entries for each division
Category 4: Oil Painting - 2 entries for each division
Category 5: Acrylic Painting - 2 entries for each division
CRAFTS
Category 6: Sculpture - 2 entries for each division
Category 7: Crafts - 2 entries for each division
Category 8: Textiles - 2 entries for each division
PHOTOGRAPHY
Category 9: Black and White Photography - 2 entries for each division
Category 10: Still Life Color Photography - 2 entries for each division
Category 11: People & Animal Color Photography - 2 entries for each division
Category 12: Landscape/Nature Color Photo - 2 entries for each division
Category 13: Architecture/Design Color Photography - 2 entries for each division
Category 14: Digital Media - 2 entries for each division
Category 15: Photo Essay - 2 entries for each division
Art Category - Specific Rules
Category 1- Monochromatic Drawing
● Monochromatic drawing is done in only one color.
● Ink, pen, pencil, charcoal, another drawing medium or a combination of these is acceptable.
● The work must be completely dry before it is submitted.
● The work must be simply matted.
Category 2. Polychromatic Drawing
● Polychromatic drawing is done in more than one color.
● Pastels, crayons, colored pencils, another drawing medium or a combination of these media is acceptable.
● Work done in a medium subject to smearing must be sealed with a protective spray or be covered with glass/acetate.
● The work must be completely dry before it is submitted.
● The work must be simply matted.
Category 3. Watercolor
● Use of watercolor paper and any water-based medium such as watercolor, gouache or tempera is required.
● Translucent and opaque techniques are acceptable.
● The work must be completely dry before it is submitted.
● The work must be simply matted or framed.
Category 4. Oil Painting
● Use of oil-based paints on a suitable ground is required.
● Grounds may be canvas, wood, painting paper, or assorted art boards.
● The work must be completely dry before it is submitted.
● The work must be simply matted or framed. No mat or frame is necessary if a canvas is used; however, it must have neat, crisp, clean edges.
Category 5. Acrylic Painting
● Use of acrylic paints on a suitable ground is required.
● Grounds may be canvas, wood, painting paper, or assorted art boards.
● The work must be completely dry before it is submitted.
● The work must be simply matted or framed. No mat or frame is necessary if a canvas is used; however, it must have neat, crisp, clean edges.
Craft Categories - Specific Rules
Category 6. Sculpture
● Sculpture is the art of carving (subtracting) or modeling (shaping) or welding (combining) to produce a three-dimensional work.
● Acceptable materials include, but are not limited to, wood, stone, plaster, metal, ceramic slip, clay (both fired and unfired), balsa foam, model magic and friendly plastic. Paper is an unacceptable material for sculpture.
● If possible, the sculpture should have an attached base. If the base is not attached, then the project should be placed on an appropriate surface, such as a ceramic tile for display.
Category 7. Crafts
● A craft can be anything three-dimensional that is not a sculpture and conforms to the following list: jewelry making, stained glass, flower arranging (with student made flowers), basketry, tole painting (on wood or metal), wood burning, sand art, ribbon crafts, dioramas, bead work, leather work, paper mache, mosaics, nature art.
● Other crafts may be submitted with permission from the FCAA administration.
● No kits or commercially produced plans are acceptable.
● Entries must be original and handmade. Student’s plans (sketches) MUST BE included with the entry or points will be deducted.
Category 8. Textiles
● Entries will be limited to the following list: macramé; weaving (must show extensive, comprehensive work); string/thread art; quilting; applique (hand-sewn only); needlework (such as candle wicking, embroidery, crochet, cross-stitch, knitting, needlepoint, etc.)
● Kits are NOT acceptable; however, commercially produced plans or patterns are acceptable. A copy of the plan or pattern must accompany the project or points will be deducted.
● No objects should be displayed other than the textile itself (no furniture, plants, or other items.)
Photography Categories - Specific Rules
Category 9. Black and White Photography
● The photograph must be a single black and white print.
● The print may not be touched up, altered, or digitally enhanced through use of any software except according to the general guidelines given for photography.
● The print will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal and originality.
● The print size is to be eight inches by ten inches. (8 x 10).
● Photos must be matted, not framed. Mats must be WHITE.
Category 10. Still-Life Color Photography
● The photograph must be a single-color print of an inanimate arrangement of objects or design (i.e., flowers in a vase, etc.) Not flowers in their natural habitat. Subject needs to be arranged artistically.
● The print may not be touched up, altered, or digitally enhanced through use of any software except according to the general guidelines given for photography.
● The print will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal, and originality.
● The print size is to be eight inches by ten inches (8 x 10).
● Photos must be matted, not framed. Mats can be any color.
Category 11. People/Animal Color Photography
● The photograph must be a single-color print of a person or animal.
● The print may not be touched up, altered, or digitally enhanced through use of any software except according to the general guidelines given for photography.
● The print will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal, and originality.
● The print size is to be eight inches by ten inches (8 x 10).
● Photos must be matted, not framed. Mats can be any color.
Category 12. Landscape/Nature Color Photography
● The photograph must be a single-color print of a landscape or focal point of nature. An example would be flowers in their natural habitat.
● The print may not be touched up, altered, or digitally enhanced through use of any software except according to the general guidelines given for photography.
● The print will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal, and originality.
● The print size is to be eight inches by ten inches (8 x 10).
● Photos must be matted, not framed. Mats may be any color.
Category 13. Architecture/Design Color Photography
● The photograph must be a single-color print of a piece of architecture or focal point of architectural design.
● The print may not be touched up, altered, or digitally enhanced through use of any software except according to the general guidelines given for photography.
● The print will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal and originality.
● The print size is to be eight inches by ten inches (8x10).
● Photos must be matted, not framed. Mats may be any color.
Category 14. Digital Media
● Digital media is a composition or design created, developed, assembled, or finished with the use of computer hardware and software.
● It may be pixel-based, vector-based, or a combination. It may include typographic elements.
● The work may be based on a photograph and may include scanned images or art. However, no stock photography may be used. (An original copy of the photograph needs to be included with artwork or points will be deducted.)
● The digital file may be printed on a variety of media including, but not limited to, paper or canvas. The final print should be of high enough resolution to produce a smooth image with no unintended pixelation. The final print should be suitably matted, mounted or framed as with any piece of fine art.
● It will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal, originality, and technical achievement.
Category 15. Photo Essay
● This is a series of prints (5-10) that tell a story.
● The photographs may be color or black and white.
● The prints will be judged on composition, originality, aesthetic appeal, uniqueness, and depth of planning and thought.
● The print size is to be 4 inches by 6 inches (4 x 6).
● Photos must be matted or framed and arranged so all will be on view at the same time (not in an album).