How to Chair a Mancuso Show  -- Rita Faussone

Dates of the show are from April 30 to May 3, 2009.
It is called Denver National Quilt Festival IV

You must decide on a deadline when the quilts are to be turned in. Traditionally they have been turned in at the March AQuA meeting. You may wish to change that to February to make sure you have enough time to get them juried, photographed and sent to Denver.

The theme is: AQuA-fer (I don’t know how it is spelled). Emily Buchanan is writing the blurb for the theme. Please contact her.

Talk with the Steering Committee to see when the “Call for Entries” (CFE) etc. is announced (i.e., in September/October of this year). You need to give members enough time to prepare the quilt, but not so much that they put it on the backburner. Run the whole thing by the Steering Committee and have someone edit and proof your CFE, entry form, etc.

You must prepare a “Call for Entries” – see attached sample from 2008, which contains all of the following:

You must address the following Design Rules: (see sample)
1. Originality – yes (see new possible wording on entry form)
2. Commercial quilting pattern – no
3. If begun in a workshop it must be credited on the back. Techniques only are allowed, not patterns.
4. Only 2 members may collaborate on a quilt and both must be listed as makers.
5. Size – traditionally we have said the quilts cannot be smaller than 24 x 24 nor larger than 50 x 50. This is because of the size of the facility. Anything smaller will get lost.
6. Whether or not you want entries that have been shown anywhere before, or in Denver before, or whatever?
7. When you have a cutoff date for when the quilts may have been constructed. For example, you may wish to have them all made after March 2006…that is something to discuss.
8. Whether or not you will accept pieces that are framed, on stretcher bars or other types of support. This is important because you will have to mail/UPS the quilts to Denver and they will be returned to you the same way. You cannot have anything that is difficult to mail, unless you want to take the responsibility to see that it gets there and gets returned.
9. If you will accept diptychs/triptychs, etc. (see CFA sample).

You must also address in your Call for Entries:
1. Sleeve – all quilts must have a sleeve and because of the large poles that Mancuso uses to hang, the sleeve must be done as required. See Pat Sprague/Nancy Vanaken “how to.”

2. Slat – all quilts must have a slat cut to the proper proportions and with a hole drilled in the ends. See Pat Sprague/Nancy Vanaken “how to.” Maker name and quilt name must be written on slat. Slat is used for photography only and is not sent to Denver. Slat is returned to maker after photography.

3. Label – there is some controversy about what should be included on the label. At the very least, it has to have the name of the maker and the name of the quilt. I believe it should also have the date made on it, but that’s just my opinion. Some members feel that it should not include maker’s address, phone, etc. as a privacy protection. Please address this with the Steering Committee.

4. Attribution label on back of quilt if constructed as a result of a class/workshop. No patterns accepted, but techniques are OK.

5. Entry fee – In the past we have charged a $15 entry fee. If you wish to change this please contact Steering Committee. This fee is not refunded if the piece is juried out.

6. Photography – All quilts must be photographed, even those juried out of the show. This is because we want a complete record of everything entered for the show. We have used Frank Nored (phone 434-9410; e-mail fnored@bresnan.net ; address: 3137 Alec Way, GJ 81504) as our photographer. Please call him as far in advance as you can to schedule the photography dates. He has to do this in his spare time, and usually needs at least 2 weeks.

Other photographs are acceptable if the member does not wish to use Frank. These photographs must adhere to guidelines (see sample for wording…where it says “two-color” digital image – please change that to “color digital image.” That is my mistake and needs to be corrected. If they use a different photographer, their CD must be turned in with their quilt/slat.

Frank has traditionally charged us $20 per quilt. Please contact him to see if his prices will stay the same.

When you take the quilts to Frank, bring him a list of the quilts. This list must contain the quilt # (assigned when turned in), the quilt maker’s name and name of quilt. This is all he needs. He will photograph the quilts and make at least 1 CD with all of the quilts on it, and also will prepare a CD for each individual quilt. Of course, do not take the quilts already photographed by someone else to him. (see sample list)

7. Due Date – it is important that you do not accept any quilts after the due date. If you do, it leads to major time issues and there is no reason that someone should need additional time.

8. Jurying – As Susan said, Kathy Schattleitner is in charge of obtaining a juror. Please work with her on this. The fee paid to the juror will be approved by the Steering Committee and according to what the juror wants. Please be sure to get a check from Susan and take it with you when the jurying is done. There is no reason to make the juror wait for her money.

The jurying should be done immediately following turn-in of quilts, or as immediately as you can make it. Hopefully, the juror will be local as shipping the quilt for jurying is a major hassle. One year we had them judged by using a photo CD – that did not work out well. As soon as the jurying is completed, the quilts need to be photographed (see above).

You must ask the juror for 1. A Juror’s Statement; 2. Comments on each quilt; 3. Five “juror’s choice” quilts and 4. Recommendation for postcard. The postcard quilt will then be determined by Steering Committee.

You must include with the “Call for Entries”:
1. A copy of mandatory sleeve technique.
2. A checklist of things that must be turned in (see sample)
3. An entry form (see sample).

Turn in Day
1. Get a couple of other people to help you.
2. Prepare stickers/paper with numbers on them 1 through 30 or so.
3. Prepare list so you can count member’s choice votes. (see sample)
4. As they turn in check for 1. slat (with name & quilt name); 2. entry form 3; check for photography/entry fee; CD if they’re not using our photographer.
5. Give checks for entry fees and photography fees to Susan.

Quilt Police
After quilts are turned in and voting for member’s choice, the quilt police (Pat Sprague/Nancy Vanaken) will make sure that the quilt are the right size, the sleeve is put on correctly, etc.

Pat/Nancy do not want the labels covered until they check them. They will cover the labels for jurying purposes. Address this in the call for entries.

ON SECOND THOUGHT, it might be good to have the quilt police inspect the quilts prior to member’s choice voting. That way, if anything is not correct, it can be brought to the attention of the maker right away and before voting.

Shipping
After jurying and photography, approximately 1 week or so before the show, you will have them prepared for shipping. Susan advises the following:

Mary Claire Moyer (e-mail maryclaire@quiltfest.com), our contact with Mancuso will contact those running the show in early January/February. By then, the committee will have the option of deciding to do or not do the placards for the show. Mancuso/Mary Claire are more than happy to do the placards for us. It would be my suggestion to let them do it as it saves us time and money. There will also be an email from Mary Claire asking for the number of pieces, their makers name and title, the insurance value and the price of the fiber art. The box that we have chosen in the past was 30”x36”. Often, we need two boxes this size. We save the boxes for several years to reuse.
NOTE: Mancuso does not insure anything over $1,000.00 unless the maker has an official valuation from a qualified quilt appraiser.
Mary Claire will also need to know how much the package/packages will weigh. Once she has that information, then she will send the prepaid address labels to us. Mancuso ships UPS and Mary Claire will make it clear to the committee just exactly the date that the pieces need to arrive.
It is a good idea to send an email to Mary Claire letting her know that the package/packages were picked up so that she will be expecting them. She, likewise, usually lets you know the day that the shipment is going to be sent back to us.
In the past, we have always emailed her a Thank You for having us and twice we took Enstroms candy to her to share with the Mancuso staff.
Photography additional – in the past I have always made copies of the photos (both fullsize and detail) for each individual of their own quilt. This is up to you, but I think it’s a nice thing to do. AQuA pays for this and it usually runs about $18. I normally take them to WalMart to do that, but that’s up to you.
You also need to give a CD of all the quilts to the person doing publicity immediately after the photography is done, along with the list that the photographer used so that she can match them up. The publicity person will also need to make photos of all the shots to be placed in the publicity book.
Marge Fox also needs a copy of the CD for her website work.
Shipping
After jurying and photography, approximately 1 week or so before the show, you will have them prepared for shipping. Susan advises the following:
Mary Claire Moyer (e-mail maryclaire@quiltfest.com), our contact with Mancuso will contact those running the show in early January/February. By then, the committee will have the option of deciding to do or not do the placards for the show. Mancuso/Mary Claire are more than happy to do the placards for us. It would be my suggestion to let them do it as it saves us time and money. There will also be an email from Mary Claire asking for the number of pieces, their makers name and title, the insurance value and the price of the fiber art. The box that we have chosen in the past was 30”x36”. Often, we need two boxes this size. We save the boxes for several years to reuse.
If you decide to do the PLACARDS (SEE SAMPLES), you need to have someone to field calls if anyone wishes to purchase. Jan Warren has done this in the past, but to the best of my knowledge, she’s never received a call. If Mancuso does the placards, you will need to confirm with Mary Claire how they handle the purchase of quilts.
If you decide to do the placards, we have also put a photo of the quilt on the back so that Mancuso can easily identify them when hanging.
NOTE: Mancuso does not insure anything over $1,000.00 unless the maker has an official valuation from a qualified quilt appraiser.
Mary Claire will also need to know how much the package/packages will weigh. Once she has that information, then she will send the prepaid address labels to us. Mancuso ships UPS and Mary Claire will make it clear to the committee just exactly the date that the pieces need to arrive.
It is a good idea to send an email to Mary Claire letting her know that the package/packages were picked up so that she will be expecting them. She, likewise, usually lets you know the day that the shipment is going to be sent back to us.
In the past, we have always emailed her a Thank You for having us and twice we took Enstroms candy to her to share with the Mancuso staff.
Photography additional – in the past I have always made copies of the photos (both full-size and detail) for each individual of their own quilt. This is up to you, but I think it’s a nice thing to do. AQuA pays for this and it usually runs about $18. I normally take them to Wal-Mart to do that, but that’s up to you.
You also need to give a CD of all the quilts to the person doing publicity immediately after the photography is done, along with the list that the photographer used so that she can match them up. The publicity person will also need to make photos of all the shots to be placed in the publicity book.
Marge Fox also needs a copy of the CD for her website work.
Publicity
You must give to the person doing publicity:
1. A CD with all the quilts on it and a sheet that identifies those quilts by maker & quilt name.
2. The juror comments on the top 5 juror’s choice quilts and postcard quilt, and member’s choice quilt.
3. A copy of what each “top 5/postcard” person has written about their quilt (i.e., inspiration, etc.) and a copy of their techniques (both taken off their entry form.)

SAMPLE----------- CALL FOR ENTRIES
“FREE RANGE FIBERS”
DENVER NATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL III 2008
Exhibit Dates: May 1-4, 2008
Deadline: March 15, 2008 NO EXCEPTIONS

THEME:
FREE RANGE FIBERS”
We, as Art Quilters, do not handle being fenced in or force-fed rules. We are seduced by colors that clash, fibers that are not always natural and an art form that doesn't have to have borders or bindings. As Art Quilters, we often use unconventional materials which might poke our fingers or get our hands dirty. Free range fibers have seduced us into believing that they are good for our creative souls. They speak to us of vast arrays of texture, color, odd fiber content and deconstructing rules.
We, at the Art Quilt Association, believe that, if our art form is left unfettered and free, our artistic spirits will be sustained and our creativity will grow.
DESIGN RULES:
• All pieces must be the ORIGINAL work of AQuA members. No quilt may be constructed using a commercial pattern. Only MINIMAL amounts of cheater cloth can be used. (I think someone wrote something about “cheater cloth” and what is acceptable, but I can’t find it on the website. Check with Steering Committee.)
• No commercial machine quilting patterns may be used.
• If the quilt was begun in a workshop, the workshop teacher’s name and technique must be credited on the back. A workshop teacher’s pattern is not acceptable, only the technique.
• No more than two (2) members may collaborate on the construction of a quilt. Both members must be AQuA members and both must be listed on the entry form.
• Entries cannot be smaller than 24” x 24” or larger than 50” x 50”.
• Entries cannot have been shown in ANY prior exhibit. (you may wish to change this)
• Entries must have been made after March 2005. (change this to whatever date you decide on)
• No frames, stretcher bars or other heavy supports can be used.
• Diptychs and triptychs are acceptable providing their size, including space between the pieces, remains within the size restrictions.
SLEEVE REQUIREMENTS: A top sleeve is required on the back of the quilt. Because Mancuso uses a large pipe hanging system, the quilts will hang much straighter if we use the sleeve construction techniques. (use new sleeve technique write-up from Pat Sprague). This technique is mandatory for this exhibit.
SLAT: An appropriate sized slat (see diagram) must be submitted with your quilt for photography purposes. The slat, with holes drilled in each end, must extend beyond the ends of the sleeve, but not beyond the edges of the quilt. Write your name and the quilt name on the slat and it will be returned to you, as it is needed only for photography purposes and will not be sent to Mancuso. Quilts will not be accepted without slats.
LABEL: A cloth label must be sewn to the bottom left hand side of the quilt back. That label must include the title of the quilt and your name, address and telephone number. Please see diagram of quilt back on the following page.
ENTRY FEE: There will be a fee of $15.00 for each entry. The Entry Form is also included as part of this document.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Professional photography is required for all quilts even if your quilt is not juried into the show. The photography fee is $20.00 for each quilt, which will include a full shot and one close up. You will receive a CD with your quilt images. You may also arrange for your own professional photographer. A two-color digital image (full & close-up) must be submitted on a CD-ROM. Digital images must be 300 dpi minimum, at least 4 x 6 and saved in jpeg format. The CD must be turned in on 3/15/08 with your quilt.
DUE DATE: March 15, 2008 and absolutely no exceptions will be made.
JURYING: All quilts will be juried by the juror as soon as possible after photography. We will request comments and critiques from the juror and those will be given to you when you receive your photography CD. However, comments and critiques by the juror will not be forthcoming until the pieces NOT selected are notified by mail and the pieces not selected are returned to their makers. The juror will be asked to select five pieces for our website and will also recommend the quilt for the postcard image. The steering committee will make the final decision.
MEMBERS CHOICE: All members present at the March 15, 2008 AQuA meeting will be asked to vote for their one favorite as “member’s choice.” The Member’s Choice will be featured on the Free Range Fibers Exhibition page on our website.
SHIPPING RESTRICTIONS: Mancuso allows no peanuts or bubble wrap. All shipped pieces must coexist in the same shipping container, which will be 36” x 5” x 30”. For this exhibit that means NO frames, stretcher bars or other heavy supports. The piece needs to be able to be folded without being ruined. If it cannot be folded, please choose dimensions which are within 36” x 30”. Surface designs/embellishments need to be securely fastened so that they won’t rub off.
PET HAIR: Please be sure that your quilt is free of pet hair when you turn it in.
THE KEEPER’S OF QUILT GUIDELINE REGULATIONS FOR SHOWS will examine each quilt after submission. It is important to note, that all quilts must meet the above guidelines or they will be rejected from this competition.
SHOW CO-CHAIRMEN: Rita Faussone and Susan Strickland

MANDATORY SLEEVE TECHNIQUE
The Libby Lehman Method
Adapted by Bonny Stonemark
from Threadplay by Libby Lehman, page 94

1. Cut sleeve 9-12” deep by the width of your quilt top less 1”. Make a narrow double ¼” hem on each end. Sleeve will be about 2” narrower than your quilt.
2. Fold sleeve in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Steam press. This is a temporary guide.
3. Open sleeve and fold the edges to the middle pressed line, wrong sides together. Steam press these new lines very firmly. These will be your hand-sewing lines.
4. With wrong sides and raw edges together, stitch along the length of the sleeve using a ¼” seam allowance. Backstitch the start and stop of this seam.
5. Press this center seam to one side, being careful not to press over the hand-sewing lines.
6. Place pressed edge of the sleeve, seam side to the back, ½” from the top edge of the quilt. The sleeve will be about 1” shorter on each end than the quilt. Hand stitch along the top of the sleeve, taking a few reinforcing stitches at each corner.
7. Fold sleeve along lower pressed stitching line. Pin in place and hand sew along pressed edge.
8. Allow sleeve to roll up almost to top edge of quilt.

===================================================================================
Checklist

• Quilt _____
• Sleeve (as per instructions – mandatory) _____
• Entry Form (completely filled in) _____
• Check for entry and photography _____
• Slat with drilled holes and maker’s and quilt name _____
• If using a different photographer, CD with images _____
• Label with maker’s name(s) and name of quilt ______ (decide on if address is required)
• Pet hair removed from quilt _____

Staple Check Here SAMPLE Quilt # _________
Juried In____ Out ______
“FREE RANGE FIBERS” ENTRY FORM
DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2008 AQuA MEETING
DENVER NATIONAL INVITATIONAL MAY 1-4, 2008
One Quilt per Form—Fill in All Blanks

Artist name_________________________________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________________________
Phone number_________________________ E-mail address ___________________________________________
Quilt name __________________________________________________________________________________
My quilt is the original design of the maker(s): Yes___ However, my design was inspired by____________________ _______________________________________________________________(photo, artist name, physical object—no patterns may be used, but you may find you were inspired to create your quilt by something/someone else)
My quilt was begun in a workshop: Yes ___ No ___ If yes, teacher’s name & technique must be credited on back of quilt.
Is quilt for sale? Yes ___ No____ If for sale, how much $ ____________. Jan Warren has volunteered to field calls and refer prospective buyers to the appropriate person. A contact phone number will be provided on the placard. Your estimated value for Mancuso insurance purposes $ _______. Quilts are insured by Mancuso Management while on site and in the shipping process; however, $1,000 is the maximum insurance rider unless you supply an appraisal by a certified quilt appraiser.
Please tell us about your quilt, how it came to be, and how it relates to the Free Range Fibers theme: (75 word maximum – please write clearly and concisely) __________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(If extra space is needed, please use reverse side of form.)
Please give a brief description of the various techniques and/or materials... (i.e. hand painted, hand dyed, silk and tyvek etc.):________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Entry Information
Professional photography is required. The fee is $20 for each quilt. A slat is required for photography and will be returned to you as it is not needed for the actual show. Photography of all quilts is required and the quilts will be photographed prior to the jurying. If you are using a photographer other than Frank Nored, check here ___.

Anyone who wishes to use a professional photographer other than Frank Nored is welcome to do so. If you chose a different photographer, a color digital image (full & close-up) must be submitted on a CD-ROM. Digital images must be 300 dpi minimum, at least 4 x 6 and saved in jpeg format. The CD must be turned in on 3/15/08 with your quilt.

Entry Fee: $15.00 for each entry. Attach your check for the entry fee and for photography made payable to AQuA.
I have attached my check in the amount of $______ which is for photography and the entry fee.
Or, I have attached my check in the amount of $______ for the entry fee as I am using a different photographer.
Note, only one check is needed for multiple pieces. If you are submitting multiple pieces, check here ____.

Sleeve: All quilts entered must have a top sleeve and have a label sewn on the back. See appropriate section of Call for Entries regarding guidelines.

Insurance: Entry of the above item means that I fully understand that AQuA members will take every precaution to protect my quilt in the gathering, shipping and redistribution but I understand that they cannot be responsible for acts of nature beyond their control. As an entrant, my signature grants AQuA and the Denver National Quilt Festival and its designated sponsors the right to photograph my quilt for publication, advertising or promotional use.

I give my permission for my quilt to travel to other venues should the occasion arrive. Yes_____ No_____

Signature ____________________________________________________ Date ________________________
“Paper Moon”
Juror’s Choice

By: Pat Sprague

The popular song “It’s Only a Paper Moon” by Harold Arlen has always been a favorite of mine. This is my interpretation of that song and the coffee filter moon fits right into the Free Range Fiber theme. The painting techniques on the tree and background were inspired by Linda and Laura Kemshall.

This quilt is not for sale

SAMPLE PLACARD – QUILT NOT FOR SALE

“Fenced In”
Juror’s Choice
Member’s Choice

By: Kari Harvey

This quilt came from traveling around the great west this winter. With the “free range” right outside the window, I was sure to see something to strike my creative soul just around the next corner. My eyes and soul were “fenced in” by Mother Nature, snow fences and more snow! My Wonderful Colorful Colorado was white, gray and fenced in by barb wire.

This quilt is for sale. Please contact Jan at 970/255-6510 in Grand Junction for further purchase information.

SAMPLE PLACARD – QUILT FOR SALE
JUROR’S CHOICE – MEMBER’S CHOICE

VOTE TABULATION
MEMBER’S CHOICE
FREE RANGE FIBERS – MARCH 15, 2008

SAMPLE

Quilt # Maker Votes
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36

SAMPLE LIST FOR PHOTOGRAPHER- This is the kind of list Frank needs for his photography. He will use the numbers to label the CD’s. I’ve always had him photograph the juror’s choices/postcard choice/member’s choice first and e-mail them to me, as I needed them for photography. The new publicity person may have different ideas. They also need to be e-mails to Marge Fox for her use on the website.

Quilt # Maker Name
1 Sandra Hoefner “Waiting for her Prince”
2 Carole O’Brien “Don’t Fence Me In”
3 Jane Aldoretta “Neon Moo”
4 Kathy Schattleitner “Heavens Above”
5 Rita Faussone “Spiral Bound”
6 Marla Ferguson “Fish Fairies”
7 Susan Strickland “Iowa Cawcus”
8 Angela Kenley “Home on the Range – Texas Style”
9 Eldrid Schafer “Faux Feathers”
10 Jan Warren “Champagne”
11 Jan Warren “Grandpa and His Sheep”
12 Marge Fox “DNA Seven”
13 Christie Barton “Steers”
14 Emily Buchanan “Spirit Dance”
15 Pat Sprague “Paper Moon”
16 Nancy Vanaken “County Fair”
17 Sandra Lee “Starstuff”
18 Jo Ann Stewart “The Sunflower”
19 Terry Lee “Three/Four”
20 Jean Roesler “Roaming the Range”
21 Pat Plandel “Somewhere My Love”
22 Kari Harvey “Fenced In”

For example, I would leave him a note saying:
Hi Frank,

Please photograph these quilts first: #4, #7, #15, #18 and #22. The numbers are on the backs of the quilts on the lower edge.

The numbers that are missing were photographed elsewhere.

After these are photographed, please e-mail them to me.

Then do the rest of them. Let me know when you are finished and I will come and pick them up.

Choose the detail shot yourself—you have a good artist’s eye, so just pick something very interesting…for instance on #18 shoot the large sunflower with all the beading on it.