Classification Standards
All artwork produced and exhibited must conform to our Juried Standards of Excellence.
These are the guidelines that must be followed by participating artists.
Click on your classification below.
Classification 1 - Jewelry and Lapidary Work
1. Materials
- Bone, Wood, Shell
- Natural turquoise, lapis, and other untreated stones and gemstones, ceramic medallions and/or objects set as stones.
- Natural pearls, finished stones and gemstones in cabochon or facetted shapes set in metal settings
- Metals: Only Non-plated metals are allowed and must be identified as silver, brass, copper, gold. Gold must be at least 14K
2. Commercially available Glass beads and undyed pearls must be restrung and used in combination with significant hand-made components produced by the artist.
3. Chip inlay: No powder inlay allowed. Must be 85% stone, 15% adhesive ration
4. Cast Jewelry (including sand, cement, wax, tufa, and cuttlebone)
- Mold must be hand-made, hand-carved and poured by the artist.
- Wax-carving and lost-wax casting may only be used once for a one-of-a-kind item
5. Fossilized Ivory
6. Findings: Must be integral part of the finished product. i.e. commercial chain (not sold separately), jump-rings, earring backs, clasps, barrette clips, money clips, hooks and eyes, leather for bolos or concho belts
Allowed with disclosure
Materials
1. Liquid Silver, gold or plated materials or gold less than 10K
2. German nickel silver is acceptable when its use has been established by tribal use.
3. Stabilized stones must be disclosed on the entry form itself.
4. Commercial stones and coral from temporary strands
- Must be natural and un-dyed
- Must be used in combination of handmade items
- Must represent less than 50% of the finished item
5. Fabricated laminate pattern sheet metals
6. Precious metal clay
Not Allowed
1. Imported stones, fetishes or shell beads.
2. Reconstituted or compressed laboratory grown, plastic or synthetic block materials
3. Items assembled from manufactured components such as purchased machine-made or die-struck items, cast blanks (rings,
bracelets, bezel cups, leaves, bolo tips, etc.)
4. Liquid Silver, gold or plated materials or gold less than 14K
5. Mass produced items by any casting or any other method
6. German (nickel) silver is acceptable only when its use has been established in a tribal area
7. Plastic Beads
NOTE: All jewelry entered must be both designed and hand-crafted by the artist himself.
Traditional jewelry: Any materials and techniques that are true to tribal and ancestral standards.
Contemporary Jewelry: Any allowable materials, techniques and designs with disclosure.
Contemporary stone or shell jewelry: (pre-Columbian style using contemporary materials). Primarily inlay or heishi styles, but can include using any allowed jewelry materials derived from ancestral styles and designs.
NOTE: Special consideration is given to the use of natural hand-processed materials as well as the sense of design, materials used, and an awareness of contemporary tribal life as it exists today.
All stone, shell or metal elements, beads, feathers and animal materials must be identified and comply with jewelry standards and all state and Federal laws and regulations.
Note: Ribbon entries must NOT be sold or promised at the time of Judging.
Classification 2 - Pottery
Allowable
1. All Handmade pottery
2. Native harvested and processed clays, slips and paints
Allowed with disclosure
1. Materials
- Kiln-fired and or double-fired pottery
- Pottery made with commercial materials, e.g. clay and glazes. All decorative elements must be properly identified and must comply with the allowable materials for jewelry.
Firing Methods
1. Out of Doors: for shock reasons, before being traditionally fired, the piece may be warmed in a household oven at a temperature
not to exceed 550 degrees F. It is then fired out of doors using wood, coal, or dung.
2. Kiln fired and double fired: Pottery of native or commercial clay is high-fired in an electric or gas kiln
- Pottery of hand-built native clay is high-fired in an electric or gas kiln and then re-fired out of doors. This is referred to as double-fired.
- A traditional outdoor piece is sometimes re-fired in an electric or gas kiln to reduce fire and smoke clouds. This process is often referred to as double-fired.
Limited
Slip molds or greenware must be a small part of your work and must be painted and fired by you.,
Not allowed
Non-Indian or commercial pottery
Note: Ribbon entries must not be sold or promised at the time of judging.
Classification 3 - Paintings, Drawings, Graphics and Photography
Allowed
1. Printmaking: Hand-pulled prints in a numbered and signed edition of not more than 50
- To be considered for judging, print must be one of the initial series
2. Photography: All works signed and numbered with edition of no more than 50.
a. Both traditional techniques and contemporary manipulated techniques are allowed.
3. Note cards
4. Sandpainting:
Natural earth materials
- Natural color sand
- Stone ground into sand
Non-natural earth materials
- Color improved sand
- Dyed sand
5. Representational Painting
- All work must be ready for hanging on a single nail, including matted, framed and shrink-wrapped items
- Mixed media including framed art with beads
- Materials
Oils, including oil sticks and oil pastels
Acrylic
Gouache/opaque and transparent watercolors
6. Abstract Painting
- All work must be ready for hanging on a single nail, including matted, framed and shrink-wrapped items
- Mixed media including framed art with beads
- Materials
Oils, including oil sticks and oil pastels
Acrylic
Gouache/opaque and transparent watercolors
7. Computer generated graphics
- Graphics that are computer generated using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image date by computer.
- Printed digitally-created work printed in 2D
Not Allowed
- Offset Lithography
- Giclees of paintings
- Photomechanical reproductions i.e. Posters, T-shirts
- Wet Paintings will not be accepted
- No whiteout or magic marker in sandpaintings
- No entry, including multiple panels, may exceed six (6) feet at its greatest dimension, including frame
Note: Ribbon entries must not be sold or promised at the time of Judging.
Classification 4 - Sculpture
Three dimensional objects
- Traditional: image produced using inherited methods and historical materials
- Contemporary: to promote innovation and perception through fabrication of a piece.
- Fetishes/Miniature sculptures: These carvings are ceremonial to their creators and depict animals and icons integral to their culture.
Allowed:
1. All hand-wrought materials, such as stone, wood, metal, ceramic, paper, cloth, et.
- All must be signed, numbered and marked by the foundry
2. Hand blown and fabricated glass
3. Fabricated fiberglass
4. All work must be completed and finished.
Allowed with disclosure: All decorative elements such as beads and feathers, etc. must be properly identified and comply with allowed materials for jewelry, and must also meet standards for State and Federal Laws and regulations.
Not Allowed:
1. Cast resins or glue
2. Installation art
3. No entry may exceed 48 inches in its greatest dimension. All measurements
will include the base.
Note: Ribbon entries must not be sold or promised at the time of Judging.
Classification 5 - Weavings, Textiles and Personal Attire
Three dimensional objects
- Traditional: image produced using inherited methods and historical materials
- Contemporary: to promote innovation and perception through fabrication of a piece.
- Fetishes/Miniature sculptures: These carvings are ceremonial to their creators and depict animals and icons integral to their culture.
Allowed:
1. All hand-wrought materials, such as stone, wood, metal, ceramic, paper, cloth, et.
- All must be signed, numbered and marked by the foundry
2. Hand blown and fabricated glass
3. Fabricated fiberglass
4. All work must be completed and finished.
Allowed with disclosure: All decorative elements such as beads and feathers, etc. must be properly identified and comply with allowed materials for jewelry, and must also meet standards for State and Federal Laws and regulations.
Not Allowed:
1. Cast resins or glue
2. Installation art
3. No entry may exceed 48 inches in its greatest dimension. All measurements
will include the base.
Note: Ribbon entries must not be sold or promised at the time of Judging.
Classification 6 - Wooden Carvings
Traditional carvings
1. carved in the tribal traditions of the artist(s)
2. use of traditional materials
3. Type of wood must be disclosed
Allowed:
- Mineral pigments
- Tempera paints
- Fabric clothing
Contemporary Carvings
1. Carved using innovative materials and techniques
Allowed:
- Mineral Pigments
- Tempera paints
- Fabric Clothing
- Acrylic Paints
- Oil paint
- Pigments that use wood preservative
- Finishes can include but are not limited to:
Varnished/Oiled
Unpainted
Paint over oil-stained wood
Techniques and Tools- All categories
- Hand tools
- Dremel tools
- Wood-burning tools
ALLOWED WITH DISCLOSURE
All decorative elements must be properly identified and meet market standards
Examples: Stone, Shell, Metal elements, Beads of glass, shell or metal
NOT ALLOWED
- Plastics for decorate elements, i.e. feathers, beads, netting
- Manufactured carvings or stands
NOTE: The inclusion of feathers must comply with all State and Federal regulations
Classification 7 - Beadworks and Quiltworks
Judging in this classification will evaluate the source and quality of materials used, as well as the combination of form, design and technique
ALLOWED
Materials: Both in Traditional and Contemporary Categories
- Purchased Glass Beads
- Commercially processed hides
- Traditionally processed hides
ALLOWED WITH DISCLOSURE
Materials
- Nickel and Brass beads not made by the artist
- Rhinestones
- Commercially produced objects that are transformed by the hand application of beadwork or quill work
Examples: Tennis shoes, bottles, hats
- Findings:
Defined as “an ingredient part of the process that adapts it for wear or use”
Examples include but not limited to:
Jump rings, Earring backs, Clasps, Barrette clips, Money Clips, Hooks and eyes,
Single bead/cone combination to finish ends (for shell and beadmakers)
NOT ALLOWED
Materials
- Manufactured or die struck metal charms, buttons or conchos
- Used for ornamental purposes
- Commercially beaded and manufactured items
- Plastic or synthetic materials
Examples: Beads, buttons, Hair, Hairpipe, Polymer clay (e.g. Sculpey)
Classification 8 - Basketry
Traditional: The intent is to recognize those artists that work with traditional materials, forms, designs and techniques
Contemporary: the intent is to encourage the use of innovative materials and techniques.
Judges will evaluate all materials and design elements
ALLOWED
Materials
1. Materials derived from plants
- Must be within the tribal traditions of the artist
- Must be processed by the artist
Examples: Willow, Redbud, Fern, Yucca, Devil’s claw, Split ash, Sweet grass
2. Natural Dyes
ALLOWED WITH DISCLOSURE
Materials
1. Purchased plant fiber materials must still be processed by the artist
2. Plant materials outside of tribal traditions.
3. Unconventional plant, animal, and commercial materials are allowed but must be identified.
i.e. horsehair, yarn, threads, metal, wire,
4. Commercial dyes
5. Decorative components made by others
NOT ALLOWED
Commercially made baskets
Note: Ribbon entries must not be sold or promised at the time of Judging.
Classification 9 - Diverse Art Forms
Traditional: description: Moccasins, drums, fans, dance regalia, flint-knapping and cultural objects that are functional and/or intended as functional in their original state, though now used for display.
Allowed
1. Materials allowed in both contemporary and traditional categories
- Components of a piece not made by the artist such as buttons, charms, jingles, lids
2. Techniques and tools in both contemporary and traditional categories
- Hand-processed hides
- Handmade items
- Sewing-machine work
3. All materials as described under beadwork and quillwork classification
Allowed with Disclosure
1. Decorative items that are compliant with jewelry standards
2. Findings
3. Commercially processed hides and rawhide
4. Chip inlay that complies with jewelry standards
5. Historical elements such as mirrors, German silver, with historical/traditional accuracy
Not Allowed
1. Manufactured or die-struck charms, buttons, conchos, etc except for those used as historical pieces from traditional sources
2. Plastic or synthetic parts, e.i., Beads, plastic hairpipe, etc.
3. Liquid embroidery, iron on appliques, items made from a kit of any kind
Note: All sewn items and/or clothing must be made by the artist and labeled as such
Note: Ribbon entries must NOT be sold or promised at the time of Judging.
Juried Ribbon Competition Awards: Open to all artists accepted into 2022 Bernalillo Indian Arts Festival.
A separate jury committee will judge these awards. Artists are to submit their work in person the week prior to the Festival. A separate form with competition instructions will be issued with the accepted artist notifications in February.
PLEASE REVIEW OUR STANDARDS CAREFULLY and follow the jury guidelines.
Note: Ribbon entries must NOT be sold or promised at the time of Judging.