For artists at Feast of the Hare 2025, we have something a little different for you!
We will be hosting an A&S Competition and Display with a very special theme: The Five Senses. Entries can be from any of the SCA-covered time periods or places, and you can choose if you wish them to be judged or just displayed. The A&S table will be open to artisans of all levels of experience, from novice to expert.
In honour of the event theme of Stars, entries that incorporate this theme as well will be eligible for a special prize.
Additionally, Their Excellencies Dubhessa Ni Ulliam and Joffr Rodson of Skraeling Althing will be choosing a Baronial A&S Champion from among the entrants. Those wishing to enter the Baronial A&S Champion Competition will mark their entries with a rabbit on their entry card. Entrants must be citizens of the Barony, but Baronial citizens do not have to enter to become Champion unless they wish to serve as Champion.
Our theme is inspired by the Lady and the Unicorn Tapestries housed at the Cluny Museum in Paris. These beautiful Flemish tapestries were created around 1500, and five of the six tapestries feature a representation of one of the senses; the sixth tapestry represents courtly love and earthly desire.
Entrants are encouraged to make entries that appeal to one — or all! — of the five senses: Touch, Taste, Smell, Sight and Hearing (no unicorns required!). Participants decide for themselves which of the five senses works best for their entry.
Taste – examples include food and drink, candy making, gardening etc.
Smell – examples include perfume, leatherwork, food and drink, gardening, etc.
Sight – examples include calligraphy, embroidery, painting, etc.
Touch – examples include weaving, basketmaking, costuming, ceramics, etc.
Hearing – examples include glassware, ceramics, music, bells, etc.
Be creative! Multiple senses can be relevant for the same entry. For instance…
Leatherworking could be:
Smell – can you smell the leather finish?
Touch – can you enjoy the texture of the carving or stitching?
Sight – is it interesting or pleasing to the eye?
Woodworking could be:
Touch – does it have a texture?
Sight – is it pleasing or interesting to look at?
Hearing – does it incorporate any elements that make a sound?
Smell – can you smell the wood?
General Competition and Display Rules
In order to keep the A&S display and competition inclusive, there are several ways to participate. All entries will be displayed on the same tables, but participants can decide if they wish to have their entries be judged for the competition or just displayed (see Marking Your Entry below).
Those wishing to be judged must provide short written documentation of their entry. Documentation should include:
– A short description of the item.
– Time period and place the item is from
– Photos of the item if it is a reproduction, or photos of similar items if it is not.
– List of materials or tools used to make the item.
– A short discussion of techniques used.
Those artisans who wish to discuss their items may choose to be present during the judging period (to be announced).
Prizes
A prize will be awarded for:
– Best in Each Sense (five prizes to be given)
– Best in All Senses (for the entry that best touches on each of the five senses)
– Best of the Stars (for the entry that best uses the event’s theme)
– Best in Show (for the highest quality entry overall)
The Althing’s Baronial A&S Champion will also be chosen by the Barons from among the participants in their Champion Competition. Once chosen, the A&S Champion will serve for a year-long term.
How will this all work?
Participants will pick up an entry card at Gate or the A&S table. On this card, they will write the name of their entry and a short description. They will also use check marks to indicate which Sense(s) they feel their entry encompasses.
On the right-hand side are holes to attach coloured ribbons. A blue ribbon indicates “I want to participate, but not be judged. Display only.” Any item not marked with this colour will be judged.
The ribbons can also indicate proficiency – participants can choose to display how experienced they feel in this artistic discipline. Viewers and/or judges can take this into consideration:
Green – I am a beginner and just learning to do this. This can help encourage new artists, or people trying their hand at a new art.
Red – I feel experienced and expert in this field. This will encourage interested artisans to learn from the participant and invite discussion.
Since these are only ribbons, they can be moved throughout the day if the participant changes their mind.
In the bottom corner of the entry card there is room for a rabbit stamp. This will indicate the desire to enter into the Baronial A&S Champion Competition. You must be willing to be judged to be considered for Baronial Champion. The Champion Competition is only open to Baronial Members of Skraeling Althing.