2024-2025 "Water" Marquetry Contest Rules
This information is provided by the American Marquetry Society
The application for this contest is under construction. It will be posted here, with instructions for use, as soon as it becomes available.
1. Theme: “Water” is a marquetry contest for all AMS
members. If you aren’t a member, it’s easy to join through our
website:
http://www.americanmarquetrysociety.org.
2. The contest title “Water” refers to a marquetry picture
made by you with the primary or a significant element of the
design clearly being water. There are many ways to make
water a major part of a picture. Your picture can be of an
ocean, lake, stream, or waterfall where your skills in using
veneer grain will be highlighted. Or there can be a placid lake
or puddle highlighting an intricate reflection. Or you could
show a glass container filled with water and fish. Or you could
use your skills to show the refraction through a water-filled
container of an object behind. There are different ways to
design a marquetry picture with water as the theme. This is
your creation. You may choose to use only natural colored
veneers, pre-dyed veneers, or a combination of the two. Be
creative.
3. Prizes: The prizes which we will award for first, second and
third place will be announced in a future magazine.
The first prize winner will be featured on the front cover of the
American Marquetarian magazine. The second prize winner
will be featured on the back cover of the American
Marquetarian magazine. The third prize winner will have a
photo of their picture in the magazine.
All entrants will have their pictures included in the magazine.
4. Pattern: Draw your own pattern or use a photo or some
other item for inspiration. We’re looking for original designs
but will accept most forms of inspiration. Do not copy
or use copyrighted items as we will not be able to publish
those in the Marquetarian magazine.
5. Size and Presentation: Size is your choice, but at least 8 x
10 inches is suggested. Pictures usually are better illustrated if
surrounded with a veneer border and a frame.
6. Veneer Cutting: All methods of cutting veneer are eligible,
electric scroll-saw, hand-driven fretsaw, jeweler’s saw, knives,
laser, etc. Use any traditional method of cutting veneer that
you like as we want to see the product of your eyes and hands
and not just your mind. Pictures with veneer cut with a laser,
CNC machine or other computer-driven cutting or output
device must be noted as such on the submission form.
7. New Work: Applicants will attest that the piece was started
on or after October 1, 2024.
8. Timing and Entry Submission:
We intend to have the deadline for entries in October 2025, which gives you a year to complete your picture. For long term planning purposes, plan that entries must be received by October 1, 2025.
For each submission (maximum of 2), please complete the Entry Form which can be found in our Members Only Section HERE! Include 1 clear photo of each entry (.jpg preferred). The larger the photographic file, the better. Do not use photo editing software on your project to alter it before sending it in for judging. If you are a member of the AMS the form can also be found on the AMS Website. It will be a pdf form, just download it, print it, fill it out, save it, and email the file along with your photo to: glaroff@teleport.com. Alternatively, you can print out the form, complete it, and mail it via USPS with your photo to: Gary Laroff. All submissions will be acknowledged via email.
Remember, the deadline for entries is October 1, 2025 (to be updated later). For each submission (maximum of 2), please complete the form and include 1 clear photo (.jpg preferred).
You have approximately one year to complete your entry.
9. Judging: A five-person group will do the rating and upon
request will provide helpful critiques.
10. Publication: Photos of all entries will be printed in an
upcoming issue of the American Marquetarian. We intend to
have an extended caption for each entry, so please add a
paragraph or two discussing your work.
11. Multiple pieces: A maximum of two entries may be
submitted, however only one prize per contestant will be
awarded.
12. Additional Info: Add any tips, suggestions or ideas that
our members would enjoy concerning your work. Pass on
your knowledge and experience to others.
13. Additional Advice: Have fun, make lots of sawdust, wood
chips and stay well.