SACA JURY GUIDELINES.   

View/download a pdf of the guidelines

 

Southern Arizona Clay Artists (SACA) uses a jury process for artists participating in selected SACA-sponsored events. Our jurors are qualified volunteers with many years of experience who play an important role in supporting SACA’s mission.

 

We recruit well-respected professionals in the ceramics or broader art field, such as prominent studio potters, museum curators, art educators, gallery owners, and critics. We strive for a mix of backgrounds (e.g., a functional potter, a sculptural ceramicist, and a fine-arts curator or art teacher) to ensure that judging criteria balances both technical craft and conceptual art. Three jurors are required for each jury session, with a fourth juror designated as an alternate in the event that one of the primary jurors is unable to participate. Anyone interested in being a juror should email info@southernarizonaclayartists.com.

 

The jury process helps raise the overall quality of work shown at SACA events, inspires other members, and helps show the public what quality ceramics can look like. Our jurors are an essential part of making that happen. It is imperative that jurors be physically present at the jury session. If a juror cannot be physically present the Jury Coordinator must be notified in advance so that a substitute juror can be arranged. 

 

Once the displays have been completed, the jury coordinator will greet the jurors and be available for any of their questions.

 

1. Blind Evaluation

 

• To prevent bias based on an artist's reputation, gender, or past relationships, the jurying process is "blind". Jurors view the artwork without seeing the artist's name and artists do not know the identity of the jurors. The jury coordinator will assign each display space with a number to identify the artist.

• Jurors must arrive and depart at designated times to ensure they do not encounter participating artists.

• Upon completion of the evaluations, jurors will give their jury evaluation sheets to the jury coordinator. The jury coordinator will add up the points allotted to each artist and review the comments.

• If needed, the jurors will hold discussions before the end of the session.

 

2. The Scoring System

 

• Each juror will independently complete a Jury Evaluation form for each artist using a set scale.

• Scale: 1 - Not Acceptable to 5- Excellent. With Overall Presentation, the total score available is 85.

• Criteria: Jurors look at craftsmanship, visual impact, originality, overall presentation.

• No Collaboration: Jurors cannot see each other's scores during this phase to ensure that one judge’s opinion does not influence the others.

 

3. Aggregation and Tabulation

 

• Once all jurors have scored the artwork, the jury coordinator will tally the numbers. The total scores are combined and averaged to provide a final score for each artist.

• Accepted: 68 or above (80% of total scores),

• Deferred: Score below 68,

 

4. Artist Notification

 

• Within 3 days of the completed session, an email will be sent to each artist notifying them of acceptance or deferral.

• The email will include a copy of their evaluation forms.

 

 

SACA JURY APPLICANT GUIDELINES

 

SACA jury sessions are typically held twice yearly, and any member may submit their work for evaluation after completing the registration application and fee payment. 

 

Space is limited at each session. If you want to be placed on the wait-list, complete the entire application, pay the fee and the Jury Coordinator will notify you if the session can accommodate you. The fee will be refunded promptly if there is no room. NO WALK-INS are accepted on the day of the session.

 

Applicant Requirements
 

1. You must be a current member of SACA when you register for the jury session as well as when the session takes place.
    

2. Register and pay for the jury session on the SACA website by the deadline. 
    

3. Bring five pieces of your best work to the session. Your pieces should fit well in a space approximately 30”x 30”. Affix a small 1” x 1” label to each piece in a prominent position with a number from 1-5. If your pieces are too large for that space, contact the Jury Coordinator to ask for accommodation.
    

4. Bring any stands, easels, or other display materials needed to showcase your work to its best advantage. If you require special display accommodation, please notify the Jury Coordinator in advance so appropriate arrangements can be considered. 
    

5. Thoroughly read the Jury Guidelines to understand the judging criteria and tips for jurying. 

 

 

Instructions for Jury Day

 

1. Plan to arrive at the assigned setup time to allow adequate time to prepare your display. Plan to leave at the designated departure time, as judging will begin shortly thereafter. 
    

2. Return for your work at the scheduled time. If you need to ask for different drop-off or pick-up times, contact the Jury coordinator who will try to accommodate your request.

 

1. The juror’s decision about your work will be emailed to you within 3 days of the completed session. The decision is “Accepted” or “Deferred.” The email will include a copy of your evaluation forms.

 

 

JURYING GUIDELINES

 

The pieces presented in the jury session should be a thoughtfully developed body of work. This work should display an understanding of the elements and principles of good design – shape, line, color, texture, balance and composition - and clearly demonstrate the artist’s unique voice and personality.

 

1. Bring your best work - Make sure all pieces are examples of good workmanship: well-made, clean, and free of cracks, kiln wash, dust, soot, dirt, smudges and fingerprints.

 

1. Do not bring seconds - Construction must be of high quality.  Don’t bring work with cracks, S-cracks, chips, splitting seams, uneven walls, rough or sharp edges, or obvious repairs.  Standing pieces must have a stable base or footing and stand on their own. All work should exhibit a finished appearance with smooth bottoms. Ensure any feet, legs, handles, etc. are well built and solidly affixed. If you attach media such as rocks, feathers, wire, gems, glass, etc.; they should augment the work in an attractive way and be firmly affixed to the piece.

 

1. Make sure pieces function as intended - Pieces intended for food or drink must have food-safe glazes and functional forms. Hanging pieces must have sound hanging devices. Vases must hold water. Judge the weight of your piece versus its intended function, in other words, a drinking vessel should be lightweight enough so that it’s still easy to lift and use when it is filled with liquid.  Lids should fit well, with smooth mating surfaces on lid and vessel.

 

1. Do not leave any doubt about functionality - Raku, many low-fired pieces, and items with added melted/cracked glass are not safe for food or liquids.   Please mark non-functional items with an information sheet about proper usage. If a decorative vessel won’t hold water, it should be labeled as such. If the piece is obviously sculptural or decorative in nature, you may still want to make that clear in the Artist Form or with a note next to the piece.

 

1. Only bring pieces with high quality glaze work - Work should be free of glazing flaws such as over-runs, thin areas, sharp edges, crazing, bubbling, crawling, or pin holes except when clearly intended to create a special effect.

 

1. Be original - Whatever the construction technique, make sure your work demonstrates your own imagination and originality. Show your own creativity, individuality and knowledge of the medium. Deriving inspiration from another is all right if the composition, colors and/or details make the work uniquely your own..

A thoughtfully developed body of work should be what is presented in the jury session. Below are additional insights from past jurors to assist the artist in assessing their own artwork for presentation in a SACA jury session.

 

1. An identifiable “body of work” makes a consistent aesthetic statement.  When an artist displays pieces with recurring themes, subjects, style or techniques, it can strengthen their jury presentation because the artist’s voice is clear and identifiable.  Some artists may believe they can best demonstrate their knowledge by presenting work that shows a range of techniques with wildly different pieces.  For a jury presentation, that kind of display could end up looking disorienting instead of coherent and work against the artist.

 

1. On the other hand, pieces which are all too similar in form and color make a boring display.  Similar forms need individual personalities.  Create ways to meld repeating elements into an interesting display with a defined voice.

 

1. Aesthetically sound work is original and unique and demonstrates the artist’s clear and coherent vision and voice.  We all learn at first by copying, but eventually the true artist moves toward work which demonstrates their own personality and original ideas. Surface decoration techniques are one of the best ways to create a unique look but there are many ways to create your own unique body of work.

 

1. Color can have a favorable impact.  However, if you prefer muted colors and tones, you can use interesting forms or textures to differentiate your body of work.

 

1. The word “original” is also complicated. In a medium with thousands of years of history, new forms and methods are scarce.  But even classic forms can be made unique with a novel approach to shape or decoration.

 

1. Incorporate commercially available tools and forms with discretion. The easy availability of stamps, texturizers, slip cast forms, decals, and more offer abundant opportunities for creativity if used with moderation. For example, a commercial slip cast plate dipped in two glaze colors would hardly be classified original and does not belong in the work presented for a jury session. But a slip casting form created by the artist clearly makes the work one-of-a-kind.  If you do use a purchased slip cast form, it can be made personal by applying truly unique surface decorations.

 

1. The work on display should inform the viewer of your own unique creativity and personality.

 

1. Do a trial run of your jury set up at home - Set up your presentation and try to view it objectively. Get opinions from others; teachers and professionals may offer helpful insights

 

 

If you have questions regarding the jury process, feel free to contact our Jury Coordinator at info@southernarizonaclayartists.com.

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********************************Sample Juror Form*************************************************

 

 

Member # __________                                  Jurors Initials _____                              Date _______

 

The cumulative score will reflect whether the artist will be “Accepted” or “Deferred”, upon the consensus of all Jurors. Each juror will evaluate the work using a rating scale of 1–5 for each evaluation criterion and a separate 1–10 scale for overall presentation. The cumulative totals of all 3 jurors will be averaged for a final score. A total score of 68 or more is Accepted. Less than 68 is Deferred.

Scores

1=Not Acceptable

2=Shows Promise

3=Good

4=Very Good

5=Excellent

 

Criteria

• Craftsmanship - Proper weight distribution, stable footings, even wall thickness, and lack of warping or unintended cracking, smooth/sanded bottom surfaces. If the piece is functional (e.g., a teapot, bowl, or mug), evaluate its ergonomics, pouring ability, or balance. If the piece is non-functional, evaluate structural integrity, stability and fit for purpose.

• Visual Impact - Evenness of glazes, successful reduction/oxidation firings, and controlled application of slips or underglazes or other surface decoration.

• Originality - A recognizable creative style, unique to the artist.

• Overall Presentation - A cohesive body of work presented to its best advantage, demonstrating depth of skill

 

Criteria

Entry #1

Entry #2

Entry #3

Entry #4

Entry #5

Craftsmanship

 

 

 

 

 

Visual Impact

 

 

 

 

 

Originality

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall Presentation       _________                      Final Score    _____________

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