COMPETITION LEVELS
There are four levels of competition: Open, Intermediate, Novice, and Youth.
OPEN: This level represents professional carvers, including those carvers whose work demonstrates the highest level of artistry and technique. Best in World Titles can only be earned in the Open Level.
INTERMEDIATE: This level includes carvers who have defined their sculpting and painting skills beyond the Novice Level. Carvers who have won a Best of Show or two Best of Division Awards at this level in the World Competition must move up to the Open Level.
NOVICE: This level is reserved for entry-level carvers. Carvers who have won a Best of Show or two Best of Division Awards at this level in the World Competition must move up to the Intermediate Level. Unique to this level is a new division known as Work Bench that may include mentor/teacher-instructed entries and entries made from purchased patterns available commercially.
YOUTH: The Youth Level is reserved for carvers who are age 17 or under on opening day of registration for the competition, however, these carvers may compete at higher levels if they desire.
R U L E S , R E G U L A T I O N S A N D G U I D E L I N E S
Determining Category and Division Winners:
Categories as determined by the Three and Three Rule and the top three entries as determined by the judges will be awarded first-, second-, and third-place ribbons. Best of Division winners are picked from first-place category winners. Once a Best of Division is selected, the second-place entry in that category will move up to compete for Second in Division against other category winners. Third in Division will be selected using the same procedure. It is possible for first-, second-, and third-place division winners to come from within one category. How The Best in World Winners are Determined in the Open Level: World Titles will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. If no carving is worthy, a World Title will not be given.
DECORATIVE LIFESIZE DIVISION: Once a Best in World piece is selected, the second place carving in that category (if there is one), will move up to compete for second Best in World with the other Category First Place winners. Third in World will be selected using the same procedure. It is possible for the first-, second-, and third-place Best in World to come from within one category.
BEST IN WORLD DECORATIVE MINIATURE: The winner will be selected from the Best of Category winners in that division.
THE BEST IN WORLD NATURAL FINISH: Will be selected from the Best of Category Winners in that division.
2019 Fish Carving New Rules Established for Determining Divisions and Categories
HOW CATEGORIES ARE DEVELOPED
As carvings are entered into the show, they are placed at the levels (Open, Intermediate, Novice, Youth) that are chosen by the competitors. When all entries have been received, they are then assessed and separated into divisions and categories using the Three and Three Rule. For this to happen, there needs to be three carvings that fit a division with at least three carvings remaining. After divisions are established, they can be divided further into categories provided they meet the Three and Three Rule.
JUDGING CRITERIA The following definitions of judging criteria have been adopted by the World Fish Carving Championships. Each criterion is given equal weight in the judging process. These criteria will be used for all levels of competition.
TECHNIQUE/CRAFTSMANSHIP: Refers to technical skills involved in fish carving, such as sculpting, painting, finishing techniques, and their execution. It covers the fish or fishes, any habitat or accessories that may be involved, and the base itself if there is one. Craftsmanship should be consistent throughout the entire piece. Good craftsmanship is basic to fish carving. Without it, a piece will not be rewarded by the judges.
ACCURACY: Involves the correctness of a piece from a scientific perspective. Is the fish the right size and proportion? Are the fins the right shape? Are colorations and patterns correct? Are the eyes properly placed? All of these are questions of accuracy. Anything accompanying the fish must be given the same scrutiny. Accuracy involves natural history of the whole piece, all of its components, and the appropriateness of these components together.
ESSENCE OF SPECIES: Involves taking accuracy a step further. It is the ability to capture an attitude in wood, for example: Each species of fish has its own attitude. Some are aggressive while some are passive. This is why certain fish cannot be put together in aquariums. Another example would be how easily a wrasse is identified from other fish only by its swimming style. The essence of the fish is there without a scale or a fin ray count, a check on measurements, or being able to see any markings or color. You may have flawlessly created your fish with faultless accuracy, but unless you have captured the essence of your subject and given it the spark that brings it to life, your fish will not achieve its fullest potential.
ARTISTRY: Artistry of a piece involves its design and composition. This is where presentation, innovation, and creativity all come into play. There should be a beauty in the concept apart from the beauty of the fish itself. Line, form, content, color, mass, and movement should all be working together to create an integrated whole. Of all of the criteria in carving, artistry is the most elusive, the most difficult to explain, to teach, to analyze in the work of others, and to install in a carver’s own
work. The difficulty, however, is an indication of the importance. All criteria are important. They all overlap and build on each other. In order for a piece to reach its fullest potential, it must succeed in all
four areas simultaneously. For the sake of clarity we have dealt with them individually, but in reality the distinctions are not so clearly cut. As a competitor moves through the different levels of competition and eventually to the Open Level, technique/craftsmanship and accuracy as criteria are taken almost for granted, as these are tools expected to have been mastered, allowing the artist to concentrate on essence of species and artistry of the piece. The better a piece is, the more difficult
it is to distinguish one criteria from another. This is how it should be. Ultimately, a piece should be a perfect union of all components in which the four criteria become one.
ALL JUDGES DECISIONS ARE FINAL.
OVERALL QUALIFICATIONS FOR COMPETITION ENTRY
General Rules and Information
• Eligibility: Any carving entered at a previous World Show is ineligible for this and any future World Shows.
• A carver can only enter one level of the carving competition. A carver cannot enter two levels, such as both the Open and Intermediate Levels, with different carvings.
• Multiple entries are allowed in the various divisions and categories of the level a carver is entering.
• At the World Fish Carving Championships, a carver can elect at any time to move up in classification. Once a carver has voluntarily advanced to the Intermediate or Open Levels of competition, that carver
cannot reenter in the Novice or Intermediate Levels at future competitions. • Entries must be original in design and concept and must be the work of the individual whose name the carving is entered in at the WFCC competition. If, after judging, it is determined that this policy has been violated, the award will be rescinded. (Note: This rule does not apply to the Work Bench Division in the Novice Level).
• The name of the artist should not be visible and will be taped over to prevent judges from seeing the name.
• Glass Cases: Glass cases or domes must be removed for judging.
• The wood sculpture must be of fish or fishes, though it may contain other animals or marine life as habitat.
SPECIFIC DIVISION RULES
DECORATIVE LIFESIZE AND MINIATURE DIVISIONS
• The entry will consist of one or more fish of any species.
• Entries are to be made of wood. Other materials may be used for habitat and structural purposes, however, they are to be handformed— with the exception of eyes. Eyes may be handmade or manufactured.
• Entries for the Miniature Division must be one-half lifesize or less, and must not exceed 8 inches in every dimension (for the fish only). Both criteria must be met.
• Large fish may compete in the Decorative Lifesize Division as a reduced version provided the carved fish or fishes are at least 18 inches in length. There is no maximum size. For example: a 12-foot, 600-
pound marlin or a 6-foot, 80-pound chinook salmon would be carved so that the minimum size is at least 18 inches and reflects the mature anatomy of the lifesize fish.
• Wall Mount Carvings: Any artist with an entry not suitable for tabletop display is required to notify Breakthrough Magazine (promoter of the WFCC) at least two weeks before the show for logistics and
set-up reasons.
• If a supporting pedestal under the base is needed, it must be provided by the artist and it will not be considered as part of the sculpture.
NATURAL FINISH WOOD SCULPTURE DIVISION
INTERPRETIVE CATEGORY
An interpretive carving should emphasize form, content, and movement rather than a realistic duplication of the fish. It should be presented in a style that provokes thought and wonder.
• Entry is to be entirely of wood with the exception of the base. The base may be of other material and will be considered as part of the sculpture. No artificial eyes may be used in this division, however, if
a natural finish carving has glass eyes it may be entered in the Free Style Division.
• If a supporting pedestal under the base is needed, it must be provided by the artist and it will not be considered as part of the sculpture.
• Stains and other finishes may be used as long as they do not completely cover or block the grain of the wood.
REALISTIC CATEGORY
A carving should emphasis form, content, and movement, yet be more like a realistic duplication of the fish than in the interpretive category. It need not include scale renderings or fin rays and may be painted opaquely over parts of the fish. It should be presented in a style that provokes thought and wonder.
• Entry is to be entirely of wood with the exception of the base. The base may be of other material and will be considered as part of the sculpture. No artificial eyes may be used in this division. If a natural
finish carving has glass eyes it can be entered in the Free Style Division. • If a supporting pedestal under the base is needed, it must be provided by the artist and it will not be considered as part of the sculpture.
FREE STYLE DIVISION
It is our hope that this Free Style Division will release the creative efforts of fish carvers that may have felt restricted by other rules. • Entries are to be made at least partially of wood but may be supplemented by non-wood materials. Any materials are permitted and should be specified in the entry registration. All parts of the sculpture must be hand-formed and original. Castings and molds of existing fish or habitat items are not permitted.
• Opaquely painted fish without scales or fin rays, commonly known as “smoothies,” and any other fish carvings which cannot meet other division requirements, may compete in this division.
• If a base is used, it may be made of any material and construction, however, it will be included for judging.
• Any artist with an entry not suitable for table-top display is required to notify Breakthrough Magazine two weeks ahead of the show for logistics and set-up reasons.
SMOOTHIE CATEGORY
• This category is for lifesize fish or entries that fit the reduced scale criteria, which contain no carved or burned scale or fin ray details.
• Details of the head may be highly detailed if desired.
• Painting of the highest quality is encouraged.
TRANSITIONAL SCULPTURE CATEGORY
• This category is for fish that are either free form, three-dimensional art (from caricature, to chip carving, to northwest Indian, etc.), or functional art (fish head paperweights, lamps, bookends, etc.).
WORK BENCH DIVISION
This division is for the Novice Level only.
• This division is for fish that are either rendered from commercial patterns, part of a class project, or the carver has received help from a mentor.
• Entries are to be made at least partially of wood but may be supplemented by non-wood materials any materials are permitted and should be specified in the entry registration. All parts of the sculpture
must be hand formed and original. Castings and molds of existing fish or habitat items are not permitted.
• Entries in this division may include entries which cannot meet other division requirements.
YOUTH CARVING LEVEL
This competition is to encourage youth to become engaged in the art form of fish carving, and to provide a venue to present their carvings and give them a competition experience. Entries may be done under the supervision of an adult, but the youth must do the carving and painting. Categories will be established if there are enough entries to do so. In addition, if there are three or more entries from competitors over 15 years old, and three or more carvings from competitors that are 14 years old and younger the youth division will be split into two age categories. YDC1 Age 15-17 and YDC2 ages 14 and under.
• Prior entries into World Show Youth Competition are not permitted.
• Entries must be made of wood. Glass or plastic eyes are permitted as are other materials for habitat and structural purposes. Handformed habitats are encouraged but not required for youth entries.
AVAILABLE LEVELS, DIVISIONS, AND CATEGORIES
As long as they meet the new Three and Three Rule
OPEN LEVEL (WORLD TITLE LEVEL)
DECORATIVE LIFESIZE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Cold Water Fish, Warm Water Fish, Saltwater Fish,
DECORATIVE MINIATURE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Freshwater Fish, Saltwater Fish
NATURAL FINISH WOOD SCULPTURE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Interpretive, Realistic Natural Finish
FREESTYLE DIVISION (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BEST IN WORLD)
NO CATEGORIES All entries will compete against each other.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
DECORATIVE LIFESIZE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Cold Water Fish, Warm Water Fish, Saltwater Fish,
DECORATIVE MINIATURE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Freshwater Fish, Saltwater Fish
NATURAL FINISH WOOD SCULPTURE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Interpretive, Realistic Natural Finish
FREESTYLE DIVISION (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR BEST IN WORLD)
NO CATEGORIES All entries will compete against each other.
NOVICE LEVEL
DECORATIVE LIFESIZE DIVISION
CATEGORIES: Freshwater Fish, Decorative Miniatures
NATURAL FINISH WOOD SCULPTURE DIVISION
NO CATEGORIES: All entries will compete against each other.
WORK BENCH DIVISION
NO CATEGORIES: All entries will compete against each other.
YOUTH LEVEL (AGES 17 OR UNDER)
Separate Youth Level divisions will be established if there are enough
entries to fill one or more of the categories with 3 or more entries, otherwise
there will only be one division. YDC1 Age 15-17 and/or YDC2
ages 14 and under.
DIVISION 1 (AGE 15-17)
All Decorative Fish and Silhouette (smoothies)
NO CATEGORIES All entries will compete against each other.
DIVISION 2(14 AND UNDER)
All Decorative Fish and Silhouette (smoothies)
NO CATEGORIES All entries will compete against each other.