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THE MAINE CRAFTS ASSOCIATION IS NOW ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS FOR OUR 2019  MASTER CRAFT ARTIST AWARD.

Nominations are due March 8, 2019; Award Juror Beth McLaughlin (Curator, Fuller Craft Museum) will review and select from the nominees based on the award criteria (see below). The 2019 Master Craft Artist Award will be announced in April 2019 with award presentation and exhibition later in the year.

In 2009, the Maine Crafts Association began to honor individual Maine craft artists each year by awarding Master Crafts Artist recognition for a body of work that is exceptional. This award will confer the prestige and acknowledgement that comes with having the artist’s work achieve a distinguishing mark of excellence.

To nominate a Maine craft artist (self nominations permitted) please follow the link below and fill out the online form. Please note: artists nominated in 2018 will be automatically be considered for the 2019 award. If the artist does not have a good representation of their work or bio/resume online, please follow-up the nomination submission with an email to Sadie Bliss with that material. sadie@mainecrafts.org

NOMINATE

MASTER CRAFT ARTISTS RECEIVE THE FOLLOWING BENEFITS:

  • Lifetime MCA Master Crafts Artist special membership
  • Award certificate
  • Recognition at the annual award presentation
  • Special press release/website feature
  • Special Master Crafts Artist exhibition at Center for Maine Craft
  • Invitation to teach at MCA Weekend Workshop at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts
  • Inclusion in anniversary exhibitions, such as 10-year, 20-year (to be announced)

AWARD CRITERIA

This award is granted for a body of work and career of service in the Arts. Nominees’ work is judged through images of the body of work (and/or hands‐on examination of individual pieces),documentation of the artists’ career through resumes, portfolios, publications, etc. In reviewing the work of artists nominated for Master Crafts Artist awards, the jury is guided by these benchmarks: excellence in craftsmanship, inspired design, a singular voice or style, and a career of service to the field.

Excellence in craftsmanship is demonstrated by work that shows the highest standards of quality, a mastery of the medium far beyond basic and intermediate proficiency skills: attention to detail, and use of highest quality materials that further enhance overall design. Entire works are executed without technical flaw and meet their intended purpose, functioning impeccably.The appropriateness of technique and process are successfully united in pieces that show excellence of craftsmanship.

Inspired design is demonstrated by work whose design shows resolution: excellent
composition, employing tension and space to enhance overall design. Choice of materials and methods show innovation and mastery. Inspired design also surprises or intrigues the viewer.

Singular voice or style is an innate part of the master craftsperson’s expression. A conceptual richness evidenced in the work shows the nature, complexion and execution that mark the individual’s work as distinctive. It sets the work apart, not only qualitatively, but also in achieving an individual identity, readily recognizable as belonging to that maker.

Past Awardees