Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of reenactors like the words, "juried event". It conjures up images of showing up to participate and being turned away by the evil stitch counters because your kit wasn't good enough. Just the word itself is frightful, "jury" it brings to mind being called to jury duty, or an image of 12 people sitting in a box passing judgment on YOU! Being juried by your peers, implies that you have done something wrong and you will incur a punishment or penalty!
Well, that is not what this is about. Yes, The Challenge will involve a juried event scheduled for next summer. However, all the participants are, in essence, part of the jury. The Challenge is a process designed to push you towards your goal of an impression that meets the prescribed guidelines. Self examination is always hard, but will be the most crucial element of this jury process. If you know what you need to do, or if you know what you have is appropriate, then you are ready for the "jury". If you know something needs some improvement, then this is a great opportunity to make that improvement. If you are not sure, we will help you out, and opportunities will be available for one on one assistance.
Most importantly, the thumbs up/ thumbs down will be happening all along the way. Questions will be answered, fabrics vetted, details debated during the entire process. The last thing we want to see is someone spending the time and effort on something and have it be wrong. Unfortunately, that happens far too often in this hobby, and it is one of the primary reasons we founded the Hive to begin with -- to be a resource for area reenactors to have access to the latest research as well as a place to learn and get support from others. So jury-schmury, this is about improvement and growth and the fun that can be had in the process.
Yes, the event is juried, but in the end, the ultimate arbiter will be the primary sources from the period.
I HATE having someone show me, so proudly, something they have spent hours and hours making, out of lovely, expensive, and totally inappropriate fabric, or the wrong cut.....when if only they had had a bit of a lesson or discussion beforehand, they would have started out slightly differently, and had something really accurate to show for their work! So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteThe Hive saves people from so much of this.