Visual Arts

GENERAL RULES

Southern Plains Extension Unit County Fairs

ALL DEADLINES WILL BE ENFORCED.

      The shows and events of the Nuckolls & Thayer County Fairs will be under the direction of the designated Extension staff and superintendents. The Extension staff and superintendents will make all on-the-spot decisions necessary for the operation of the shows. In case of a complaint or a disagreement with the show, the exhibitor should discuss it with the Extension staff and the superintendent within one hour after the show.  If an agreement cannot be reached, then the exhibitor and/or the Extension staff and superintendent should request a grievance committee meeting. Grievance must be submitted in writing. The grievance committee will consist of two 4‑H Council members, two Fairboard members and one neutral superintendent. The decision reached by this committee is final. 

Rules: 

1. Eligibility Requirements- Competition in the county 4‑H Fair is open to youth who are enrolled in Nuckolls or Thayer County 4‑H projects in which he/she is exhibiting. The youth must be 8 years old on January 1 of the current calendar year and under the age of 19 years of age on January 1 of the current calendar year. CloverKid members are 5-7 years old on January 1 of the current calendar year.

2.  Pre-Entry- Pre-entries are required for ALL fair exhibits.

PRE-ENTRY DEADLINES:

Nuckolls – Paper Entries Only – July 11^th - 4:00 PM

Thayer – Online Entries Only- July 17^{th –} Midnight 

        Absolutely NO late entries accepted!

*Subject to the 4‑H Council policy committee.

3. Number of Entries Allowed.

    Nuckolls County ONLY- Unlimited entries per class numbermay be made per exhibitor with the exception of a limit of two entries per class in Horticulture. 

    Thayer County ONLY- Limit of two entries per class.

    See General Animal Rules for livestock entries.

4. Entry Tags- Exhibits other than livestock contest must have entry tags attached to the exhibit at the time of entry. Tags are printed through your local Extension office.

5. Exhibits Released-See fair schedule. All fair exhibits are expected to be at the fair during scheduled times. Premium and support/booster payments will be forfeited for early removal of show animals with the exception of animals released for the animal’s welfare by written approval from a veterinarian or for legitimate reason with written approval from the species’ superintendent and a representative of the 4‑H council livestock committee. In case of emergencies, contact the office staff. The Extension staff is not responsible for items left at the fairgrounds after scheduled times.

6. Exhibit Space- Space will be assigned by the department superintendent(s). All possible care will be used to prevent loss or injury to articles or animals exhibited, but fair management will in no way be responsible should loss or injury occur. 

7. Disclaimer of Responsibility- All persons participating in the Thayer or Nuckolls County Fairs, either as exhibitors or as spectators, agree to make no claim against said Thayer or Nuckolls County Fair Association/Board, its officers, employees, volunteers, or any other exhibitors for any loss or damage to persons or property in connection with the activities of the Thayer or Nuckolls County Fair and said participants agree to hold said Association and persons harmless from any such claims. Individuals will be held personally responsible for his or her actions and the Fair Association will not be accountable or responsible for any injury. Exhibitors are responsible for the health of their animals.

8. Ribbons & Premiums Awarded- All exhibits will be divided into groups according to merit. 

Purple…………… Excellent             Blue……………………...…Good

Red……………….Fair                     White………Needs Improvement          Rainbow……..Non-Competition

Equal exhibits will be given ribbons of the same color in each class. Only worthy exhibits will be awarded ribbons and/or premium money. Trophies/banners/medals will only be awarded to purple & blue-ribbon exhibits. NO red or white ribbon entries will earn trophies. Unused trophies will be recycled.  In case there are insufficient funds to pay premiums in full, they will be prorated and paid accordingly. 

9. State Fair Eligibility-An exhibitor must be a 4‑H member enrolled in the county which she/he represents and must be 8 years old by January 1, with the exception of program specific age requirements for Shooting Sports and First Lego League. 

10. State Fair Exhibits- The Extension staff deliver many exhibits to the State Fair as a courtesy to exhibitors. However, exhibitors may be asked to arrange transportation of some articles that are large or heavy.

11.  State Fair Rules will apply when County Fair Rules are not adequate.  In case the general rules conflict with department rules, the department rules govern.                      

12. Interview Judging- Clothing Judging- See interview information involving Clothing and Fashion included with the Clothing & Fashion show rules. Static Exhibit-Interview judging is encouraged but not required for all other static exhibits. 4‑Hers can interview once per project for a total of 5 interviews. Sign up for interview judging will occur at exhibit check in, in each of the project areas. Interviews will be scheduled according to the project and class. If the 4‑Her can’t make a certain time, we will try to work with them, but we cannot guarantee that they will get to interview with all the projects they want.   

13. Exhibits entered by 4‑H members with special needs will be marked for the judge’s information only. Families will provide this information.

14. Identification- In addition to entry tag, a label with the exhibitor’s name, item’s department, division, and class should be attached to each separate piece of the exhibit.

15. Scoresheets- Scoresheets used for classes in divisions are listed by the corresponding division or class. PLEASE NOTE: County Fair scoresheets are denoted with CF numbers whereas State Fair scoresheets are denoted with SF numbers. Many county classes will use state fair scoresheets. For example: Heritage scoresheets begin with letters SF therefore will be found on the scoresheet website listed above. If any entire division uses the same scoresheet, the scoresheet number will be listed under the division title.

16.* Classes- All classes with a star (*) after the class number are not eligible for state fair competition.

VISUAL ARTS

Scoresheet SF200

Premium Code: STATIC ITEMS

With an emphasis on originality, the purpose of the 4-H Visual Arts projects is to practice using design elements and principles while exploring and experimenting with various mediums and techniques. In addition, youth should practice self-expression and work to communicate their personal voice through their work. 

Rules:

1. Original Work- Items must be the original work of the 4-H member and should show creativity and originality. No copyright images or master studies.
2. Ready for Professional Display- All exhibits must be presented appropriately for the medium(s) used and ready to be professionally displayed. two-dimensional pieces on paper should be framed behind glass/plexiglass. Stretched canvases do not need frames as long as staples are not visible on the edges.  All two-dimensional pieces should be ready to hang using a sawtooth or wire hanger.
3. Entry Descriptions­- Entry tags should include a visual description of the exhibit, including size, dominant color, and subject to aid in identification.
4. Supporting Information- Supporting information is required for all Visual Arts exhibits. Information must include responses to all questions and steps taken to complete the project. Supporting information must be securely attached to the back of the piece. Supporting Information tag template can be found at https://extension.unl.edu/statewide/southernplains-3/#tab-family-&-cons…. Exhibits with missing or incomplete supporting information will be lowered a ribbon placing.
5. Class Changes: Exhibits must be entered in the appropriate class based on the medium(s) used or theme. No class changes will be made after check-in. Exhibits in an inappropriate class may be lowered a ribbon placing. Supporting information may provide evidence or justification for the piece being entered in a specific class.

Medium Classes

Dept C   Division 200

Classes

1. Original Acrylic Painting
2. Original Oil Painting
3. Original Watercolor Painting Print
4. Original Pencil Drawing
5. Original Charcoal Drawing
6. Original Ink Drawing
7. Original Fiber Art– Could include weaved art, dyed fabric, felted wool, cotton linter, batik, etc.
8. Original Sculpture- Could include Styrofoam, wood, cardboard, paper, metal, wire, etc.
9. Original Ceramic Pottery- No purchased ceramic pottery. Must be glazed and fired. May be any hand-built technique or wheel thrown. May be functional or non-functional. Could include slab built, pinch pots, coil built, wheel thrown, etc. 
10. Original Painting on Purchased Ceramic Surface- No hand-built or wheel thrown pottery. May be functional or non-functional. It could include figurines, cups, bowls, etc.
11. Original Single Media Not Listed- Could include digital art, leathercrafting, printmaking, stained glass, pastels, scratchboard, and painting, encaustic painting, chalk, etc.
12. Original Mixed Media- Could include any combination of two or more other mediums or materials.

13*   Diamond Art

Theme Classes

Rules: 

Exhibits may utilize any medium or combination of mediums on any surface. All exhibits must be appropriately presented and ready to be professionally displayed. Artwork should depict the artist’s own interpretation of the theme. All exhibits should include an explanation of how the piece reflects the theme and what ideas or thoughts the artist was attempting to express or communicate.

Dept C   Division 261

Classes

1. Original Art Inspired by Plants or Animals- Could involve but is not limited to domestic animals, pets, agriculture, wild animals, wildlife conservation, house plants, fruit, vegetables, flowers, native plants, trees, etc.
2. Original Art inspired by Landscapes- Could involve but is not limited to rural landscapes, natural environments, man-made environments, urban landscapes, extraterrestrial landscapes, oceanic scenes, building, fantasy landscapes, agricultural landscapes, etc. 
3. Original Art Inspired by People- Could involve but is not limited to cultural art, modern society portraits, daily life, careers, families, emotions, etc.
4. Original Art Inspired by Artist’s Choice- Could involve but is not limited to food, cars, fantasy worlds, imaginary characters, science-fiction, history, etc.