Art
Area Four: Art

  • The artwork should be put in place by the person bringing it, making sure that Artist Idea Statement (click here) or the Photography Artist's Idea Statement (click here) is with each piece and that 3 x 5 cards are lightly taped to the back of each piece.  Please do not expect the judges or WVCEA staff to take your artwork out of a box and set them up!  You do not have to bring judges’ forms—we will provide these for each registered student (labels on the judges’ forms will have their names, schools, and category).

The 3 x 5 cards should have this information printed on it:
Student’s Name
School Grade
Student’s School
Category Entered

Example for 3 x 5 card:   John Smith
8th grade
Faith Christian Academy
Black & White Photography
General Rules:
  • Entries are not restricted to sacred themes, but entries which reflect sensualism, humanism, occultism, or worldliness will be disqualified; basically, any subject detrimental to spiritual edification will not be allowed.
  • Each entry will be the original creation of the participant alone, but the participant may have had advice or instruction.
  • Kits are not acceptable except for cross stitching.
  • No paint-by-number, no tracing, and no painted ceramics are allowed.
  • Each entry must have been created with the past year.
  • Students should do original drawings or paintings from imagination or actual life.  Working from a personal photograph is allowed.  Other photographs may be used if the student has strived to be creative in his interpretation of the photograph, rather than trying to copy it exactly.  There must be a significant change, at least 40%, in the artwork when using another person’s photograph.  Any photograph used must be included with the artwork.  Copying of any existing artwork (painting, drawing, illustration, etc.) is prohibited.  Photographs are not a replacement for a required pattern.
  • Two dimensional work must be matted or framed.  Framed work must be ready to hang, preferably with picture hanging wire and not sawtooth picture hangers.  Framing is an important aspect of the presentation of a work of art.  A simple frame and mat are effective.  Elaborate mats and heavy ornamental frames are not necessary and sometimes detract from the artwork.  No construction paper for framing is allowed.
  • Each student must sign the Statement of Originality on the Artists Idea Statement.
  • Each entry must have a completed/signed Artist’s Idea Statement which gives the source of his idea and explains briefly how he developed his artwork from the ideas.  Photographs showing the development of the artwork may be included, if desired.
  • Artist’s Idea Statement may be obtained here.
  • Photography Artist's Idea Statement may be obtained here.
  • Special lighting will not be permitted.  The lighting in the exhibit room is the only lighting that will be allowed.
Point Deductions
  • No Artists Idea Statement -5 points
  • Wrong Category (obvious misplacement)  -3 points
  • No negative with photograph     -2 points
  • No 3 x 5 card with artwork        -2 points

Category 1: Calligraphy- done with a calligraphy pen, either metal of fiber tip, felt tip markers not acceptable, no traced or dry-transfer lettering, any style of calligraphy may be used, may contain other elements like, illumination, but the lettering should be the dominant element.  Lettering should be original, done by the student himself based on an example supplied by the teacher of taken from a book.  Attention should be paid to the overall composition or arrangement of words and lines to ensure balance, focus and communication.

Category 2: Monochromatic Drawing- done only in color, may use ink, pencil, charcoal, or another drawing medium; a combination of these media is acceptable, medium subject to smearing must be sealed with a protective spray, or be covered with clear glass or acetate.  No scratch art is allowed.

Category 3: Polychromatic Drawing- more than one color, may use pastels, crayons, colored pencils, or another drawing medium, a combination of thee media is acceptable, medium subject to smearing must be sealed with a protective spray, or covered with clear glass or acetate.

Category 4: Watercolor- translucent techniques will be acceptable; use of proper water color paper is required, opaque techniques will be acceptable if paints qualify as watercolors, use of air brush is permitted, any water-based medium, such as water color, gouache, or tempera, may be used.

Category 5: Oil Painting- oil painting involves the use of oil based paints on a suitable ground, oil paint and appropriate solvents must be used, paint should be applied to a ground suitable to the medium, these include, but are not limited to: canvas, wood, and assorted art boards, use of air brush is permitted, work must be completely dry before it is submitted.

Category 6: Acrylic Painting- use of acrylic paints on a suitable ground, paints must be acrylic polymers, and should be put on a ground suitable for the medium.  These include, but are not limited to: canvas, wood, and assorted art boards, additional substances may be used for textural effects as long as the surface of the work remains paint.  Use of an airbrush is permitted; the work must be completely dry before it is submitted.

Category 7: Sculpture- is carving, modeling, or welding (combining) a substance to produce a three dimensional work, works from molds are acceptable if the student created the mold and poured the object himself.  Molds must be presented with finished artwork.  Acceptable materials include, but are not limited to, wood, plaster, stone, metal, wax, ceramic slip, clay (both fired and unfired), paper-mache, balsa, foam, model magic, and friendly plastic.  Paper is an unacceptable material for sculptures.  No objects should be displayed other than the project itself, if possible the sculpture should have an attached base, if there is no base then it should be placed on an appropriate surface, such as ceramic tile, for display purposes.  Entries should not include models or dioramas.

Category 8: Textiles- Entries will be limited to selections from this listing: macramé; weaving (must show extensive, comprehensive work); string/thread art; quilting; appliqué (hand sewn only); needlework (such as candlewicking, embroidery, crochet, cross-stitch, knitting, needlepoint, or crewel, etc.)  Kits are not acceptable; however, commercially produced plans or patterns are acceptable, a copy of the plan must accompany the project.  No purchased garments, towels, or similar items are permitted.  No objects should be displayed other than the textile itself (no furniture, plants, or other items).

Category 9: Crafts- can be anything three dimensional that is not strictly a sculpture or a textile, and that conforms to #2, which states that the student may have advise or instruction, but the project must be the original creation of the student.  Types of projects are limited to the following: jewelry making; stained glass; candle making; flower arranging 9 only if the student makes the flowers himself); decorative castings (from plaster, etc., as long as the student pours and decorates it himself); wearable art using appliqué, paints batik, or tie-die items; basketry; tole painting (on wood or metal; wood burning; sand art; ribbon crafts (both paper and fabric); decoupage; diorama; beadwork; leatherwork; metal repousse; punched designs into metal; paper-mache, origami (paper folding), and  mosaic, and other types of art craft projects may be entered with the permission of the AACS National Competition Office.  No kits, purchased pin backs or earring backs for jewelry are acceptable. Entries are to be original and hand made, not copied from a pattern, containers and garments used for these projects may be purchased. Original student plans (sketches or patterns) must be included with the work.  A commercially produced pattern is allowed for origami.

Category 10: Printmaking- a design or picture carved or etched into the surface then inked and transferred to another surface.  The following media will be acceptable: linoleum block, woodcut, etching, dry point, collagraph, silk screen, and speedy carve material.  The original carved or etched surface must be presented with a finished print.

Category 11: Still Life Photography - The photograph must be a single black and white or color image of a still life, macro photograph, or design.  Must complete Photography Artist's Idea Statement.  Photos must be a minimum of 7x10 using a white mat only and no frame.

Category 12: Landscapes and Architecture Photography - The photograph must be a single black and white or color image of a landscape or architecture.  Must complete Photography Artist's Idea Statement. Photos must be a minimum of 7x10 using a white mat only and no frame.

Category 13:  People and Animal Photography - The photograph must be a single black and white or color image of people or animals.  Must complete Photography Artist's Idea Statement.
Photos must be a minimum of 7x10 using a white mat only and no frame.

Note: Not every photograph will fit one of these categories. To be entered in this competition, a photograph must fit one of the listed categories

Category 14: Digital Media – Digital Media is a composition or design created, developed, assembled or finished with the use of computer hardware and software.  Digital Media may be pixel-based, vector-based, or a combination of the two.  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.  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 pixellation.  The final print should be suitably matted, mounted, or framed as with any piece of fine art.  Digital Media will be judged on the basis of composition, aesthetic appeal, originality, and technical achievement.  A storage device with the digital image in its original file is to be submitted with the entry: This should be protected in an envelope taped to the back of the entry; the name of the student and his/her school should be written on the envelope.

Category 15: Woodworking- entries will be basic carpentry/cabinetmaking projects; original design and a simple mechanical drawing done by the student must be submitted with the project.  All of the production procedures; (sawing, mitering, routing, assembling, and the finishing) must be done by the student himself; the work may be done under adult supervision. The maximum size is to be 40 cubic feet.  No kits are permitted.

Category 16: Mixed Media- includes two or three  dimensional artwork which combines two or more mediums including the use of paint, ink, pencil, chalk, oil paints, tempera paints, sand, collage, and printmaking.  A collage must be made of two-dimensional materials that were created by the student.  Adhesives and glazes such as glues, fixatives, etc. are allowed in the assembling and finishing processes.  Photographs not taken by the student may be used as long as the portion used cannot be recognized as part of the original picture.  No kits or commercially produced parts are acceptable, such as plastic leaves and any other prefabricated media; all parts are to be handmade, painted, inked, etc.

Category 17: Team Mural Painting - a group of 3 or more students working together to create a mural painting. 
  • Painting should be painted on appropriate material, such as canvas, and appropriate paints should be used (air brush and spray techniques are acceptable).  Murals must be dry and should not be "tacky". 
  • Mural size must be at least 3-feet x 3-feet, but no larger than 6-feet in height and 12-feet in width.
  • Muralsmust be portable, and not permanently attached to the property.
  • Murals must be prepared to hang.  Prepare each mural with a rod "pocket" to accommodate the rod.  (Each entry is responsible to provide their own rod.)
  • Mural entries must follow the year's theme announced by the WVCEA Office.

Topics for the following six-year cycle by school year are listed below.  Each school entry must realte to the topic for that school year.
2007-2008:   The Great Commission
2008-2009:   A Miracle
2009-2010:   Scriptural setting that includes an angel
2010-2011:   The Hope of Heaven
2011-2012:   A Parable
2012-2013:   The Love of God

Category 18: Experimental Photography
  • Entries are limited to Senior High division only.
  • Includes time-;apse photography, multiple exposures, pinhole photography, and toning prints.  Other types of experimental photography may be entered with permission of the WVCEA Competition office.
  • Photos cannot be computer enhanced.
  • Entries must include the film negative

Category 19: Animation - to make or represent a character to inspire or lift the spirit of others. Senior High, Junior High, and Elementary divisions (No computerized entries in Elementary division).
  • Includes: single cartoons, storyboards, caricatures, and computer animation/storyboards.
  • Entries must be matted (See General Rules).  (Exception: computerized entries)
  • Computer generated work is permitted in all divisions.  Work must be printed and matted.
  • Computerized animation:
A.  Is limited to Senior High and Junior High divisions only.
B.  Coputerized storyboards and animation must use programs such as ImageReady or
Lightwave, or seek program approval from the WVCEA Competition office prior to
submission.
C.  Electronic files must be received by WVCEA Competition office 1 week prior to the
Festival

Definition Notes;
  • Computer generated art is work that is created using a computer, but printed and displayed as traditional art.
  • A computerized entry is the creation artwork needing an electronic file to animate the work.  Computerized artwork needs to be moving, and therefore cannot be displayed as printed work.

Category 20: Desktop Publishing - designing of brochures, programs, flyers, advertisements, business cards or PowerPoint presentation for the purpose of promoting a company, event, or product.  Entries limited to Senior High Division only.  Note guidelines for computer generated art. 

Themes for the following six year cycle by school year are listed below.  Each entry must follow the designated theme for that school year.
2007-2008:   The Olympics
2008-2009:   A Computer Program
2009-2010:   A Construction Project
2010-2011:   A Missions Trip
2011-2012:   The WVCEA Fine Arts Competition
2012-2013:   A Teen Retreat

  • Entries must follow the year's theme(s) announced/published by the WWVCEA Competition Office
  • Projects which are designed to be printed (brochures, programs, advertisements, etc.) must be submitted in print form.  Color copies are required (exception when entry is designed as a black and white copy only).  Printouts should be done on inkjet or laser printers, printed on appropriate stock, and printed 2-sided if applicable for the project.
  • The student is not required to compose all text within the project.  Textual content will not be judged, but care should be taken to insure no blatant grammer or spelling errors are present.
  • Students must do design and layout.  No use of pre-designed layouts, templates, wizards, etc. may be used.
  • Original disk/CD must be submitted with the artwork.  The disk must be available to be opened in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe InDesign, Adobe PhotoShop, or Corel Draw 8.  The disk or CD must be clearly labeled with the contestant's name, file name, and school.
  • "Stock" clip art, graphics, and photos may be used with original artist permission or if permitted under license apreement.  Written permission, copy of license agreement, and/or other permission granting documentation must be included with the entry (this includes program clip art galleries, Afreeware@, Ashareware@, public domain, and custom designs/logos).
  • Entries will be judged on layout, design and creativity.
  • Enitries should be mounted or displayed attractively in a binder or portfolio, as artist  would present to a client.  (2-sided entries must submit printout 2-sided, but may also include printout of pages separately.)

  Category 21: Cinema-Original Video Production

Themes for the following six-year cycle by school year are listed below.  Each entry must follow the designated theme for that school year.
2007-2008:   Infomercial
2008-2009:   A live performance
2009-2010:   A dramatized short story
2010-2011:   Illustrated Scripture
2011-2012:   Excellence in Christian Teens
2012-2013:   Promotional Video

  • Every portion of the video must be orinial in content and design (an existing script may be used and the music may be of prerecorded quality).  All copyrights and documentation of public domain materials must be observed.
  • Judging will be based on all the phases of motion pictures and video productions, including directing, editing, camera work, sound and lighting.
  • The music portion of the video must be within the acceptable styles of music listed in the general music rules.
  • The intent oand the message of the video must be withing the acceptable guidelines listedin the general art rules.
  • All production work must have been done since the last WVCEA FIne Arts Competition.
  • The cinema category will be considered a group category.  There is no limit to the number of persons involved in the production of this video; however, each person must register his/her name in the WVCEA Fine Arts Registration.  Individuals seen in the production are not necessarily considered to be a part of the team.
  • Each entry must have attached to one of the judging forms a completed "Artist's Idea Statement" which gives the source of his idea and explains briefly how he developed his artwork from the idea.
  • The time limit for the Cinema projects is from 5-10 minutes.
  • The Cinema projects may be submitted in either VHS or DVD format.  DVDs must be formatted to play in a standard DVD player.
  • A signed letter of sonsent must be included for each recognizable person seen in this production.
  • Cinema projects must have the disk/video clearly labeled with the title of the production , its running time, and the school's name.

Category 22: Design Construction

Definition: to design and construct an object of your own imagination using various type(s) of building material(s). 

  • Elementary students may design and construct using popsicle sticks, matches, Legos, building blocks, etc. 
  • Junior High students may design and construct using pieces from erector sets or similar design and construction materials.   
  • Senior High students may design and construct in the areas of architecture, engineering, and robotics using any material(s) that is/are appropriate to complete the object or to complete a professional miniature replica of a life-size object (such as a bridge or building)  
  • Each entry must be the original creation of the participant alone.  No kits, model diagrams or existing blue prints may be used.  Participants may receive advice or instruction.
  • Each entry must have been created since the last WVCEA Fine Arts Competition.
  • If the created object is stationary, please attach it to a base to avoid any kind of damage when transporting it to competition and during judging and display time.
  • Each student must sign the “Statement of Originality” on the art judging form.
  • Each entry must have attached to one of the judging forms a completed “Artist’s Idea Statement” which gives the source of his idea and explains briefly how he developed his project from the idea.
  • Senior High participants must also include a folder containing the created diagram(s) or blueprint(s) of the construction.

NEW!  Category 23:  Scratch Art  - contact coordinator for rules.




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Christian Home Educators of
West Virginia
*Art entries must be taken to the Fine Arts event by 9:00 a.m. on the day prior to the festival.
Each participant is allowed to enter only three different art categories.  So, you cannot enter two pictures containing people.  The photos can be color or black and white in ANY category.