Visual Arts
All entries must be pre-entered on a General Entry Form at the York County Extension Office by the first Friday of July. All Exhibits will be judged on Tuesday of fair week in the Home Ec Building. Entries must receive a Purple ribbon at county fair and be selected to advance to State Fair.
Visual Arts Exhibits are evaluated by these criteria
- Original Work – Items must be the original work of the 4‑H member and should show creativity and originality. No copyrighted images or master studies.
- Ready for Professional Display – All exhibits must be presented appropriately for the medium(s) used and ready to be professionally displayed. 2-dimensional pieces should be framed behind glass/ Plexiglas. Canvas boards should be framed but glass/Plexiglas is not necessary. Stretched canvases do not need frames as long staples are not visible on the edges. All 2-dimensional pieces on paper should be ready to hang using a sawtooth or wire hanger.
- Entries per Exhibitor: 4‑H members may enter one exhibit per class.
- Entry Descriptions: Entry tags should include a visual description of the exhibit, including size, dominant color, and subject to aid in identification.
- 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 templates can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hvisualarts. Exhibits with missing or incomplete supporting information will be dropped a ribbon placing.
- 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 inappropriate classes may be dropped a ribbon placing. Supporting information may provide evidence or justification for the piece being entered in a specific class.
Visual Art Mediums
Scoresheet SF200
Pay Code 200
Use techniques from manual or comparable techniques. Attach information to explain steps taken. Information must also include element or principle of design used. (p. 8-9).
C260001- Original acrylic painting
C260002 - Original oil painting
C260003 - Original watercolor painting
C260004 – Original Pencil Drawing
C260005 – Original Charcoal Drawing
C260006 – Original Ink Drawing
C260007 – Original Fiber Art – Could include weaved art, dyed fabric, felted wool, cotton linter, batik, etc.
C260008 – Original Sculpture – Could include Styrofoam, wood, cardboard, paper, metal, wire, etc.
C260009 – 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.
C260010 – Original Painting on Purchased Ceramic Surface – No hand- built or wheel thrown pottery. May be functional or non-functional. Could include figurines, cups, bowls, etc.
C260011 – Original Single Media Not Listed – Could include digital art, leathercrafting, printmaking, stained glass, pastels, scratchboard, sand painting, encaustic painting, chalk, etc.
C260012 – Original Mixed Media – Could include any combination of two or more other mediums or materials.
Visual Art Themes
Scoresheet SF200
Pay Code 200
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.
C261001 – 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.
C261002 – Original Art Inspired by Landscape – could involve but is not limited to rural landscapes, natural environments, man-made environments, urban landscapes, extraterrestrial landscapes, oceanic scenes, buildings, fantasy landscapes, agricultural landscapes, etc.
C261003 – Original Art Inspired by People – could involve but is not limited to cultural art, modern society, portraits, daily life, careers, families, emotions, etc.
C261004 – Original Art Inspired by Artist’s Choice – could involve but is not limited to food, cars, fantasy worlds, imaginary characters, science-fiction, history, etc.