Excitement is building for the 2020 Creative Arts Contest and Arts & Crafts Show. Both events are scheduled to take place Oct. 23 and 24 at the Sulphur Springs High School. Questions have been coming in about the Creative Arts Contest, so I thought it would be beneficial to provide some information and encourage Hopkins County folks to consider entering.
The Creative Arts Contest is for Hopkins County residents to showcase their talents in various categories. Items will be awarded with appropriate ribbons, followed by public viewing. All ages are encouraged to enter: Children (ages 10 and under), Youth (ages 11-19), Adult (ages 20-69), Mature Texans (ages 70 and up).
Below are the entry divisions. Please note that the bake show is canceled this year:
• Art: oil, water color, ink, rub outs, pencil, acrylic, paper tole, crayon/marker, spray paint art, chalk and miscellaneous. All entries must be suitable for hanging or display on a rack (except for children’s entries).
• Clothing: classic (tailored/detailed), after-five, children’s wear (up to size 14), everyday casual (includes pajamas) and wearable art. Must have made or decorated the clothing item (decorated vests, shirt/t-shirt, jacket).
• Creative Crafts: Crafts (candles, plastics, metal, leather), ceramics, stained glass (cut and leaded or soldered), painted household accessories (birdhouses, wall accessories) and Miscellaneous (glass, mosaics, paper mach, collage, scrap art)
• Decorated Cakes (will not be cut): judged on workmanship, difficulty, appearance and originality. All items will be discarded if not picked up at the conclusion of the show.
• Food Preservation: All items must be in official canning jars. Foods processed in mayonnaise jars, pickle jars, etc. will not be judged. Items will not be opened, but a two-part lid must be used for judging purposes. Foods must have been canned September 2019-October 2020. Entry divisions are: canned vegetables, canned fruits, jams, preserves, butters (apple, pear, peach, plum), jellies, pickles (preserved in a brine or vinegar solution), relish, pickled vegetables (okra, beets, peppers, etc.), dehydrated foods and miscellaneous (honey, fruit/tomato juice, mincemeat, canned meats, flavored vinegars)
• Handiwork: knit, crochet, embroidery, needlepoint, sewn items, beadwork, jewelry, other fabric/fiber work (string art, latch-hook, macramé, weaving, etc.)
• Holiday/seasonal
• Horticulture: No artificial plants allowed. Entries must have been in exhibitor’s possession at least three months prior to the fair. Exhibitor is responsible for upkeep of the entry during the fair. Entry categories include: Agriculture (fruits, vegetables, nuts, acorns), cut flowers, potted plants, hanging baskets, succulents, dried (arrangements, potpourri, wreaths, swags), gourds and herbs
• Photography: Entries should be appropriately mounted or framed and suitable for hanging on exhibiting on a stand. Color and black/white will be accepted in the following categories: portrait, scenic, still life, people, special effects, floral, architectural and grouping/collage.
• Quilts: hand-quilted, machine quilted, combination (hand and machine, embroidery, applique, etc.), baby quilts and quilted items (pillows, table runners, wall hangings)
• Woodworking: kits, inlaid wood, mosaics (using different woods for color), furniture, wall hanging/crosses, wood carvings, yard art, rustic arts, birdhouses and toys
• Nursing home: Items entered by residents or assisted living facilities and nursing homes will include many of the above categories, but will be judged separately.
Registration of items will be 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 in the Sulphur Springs High School Conference Center and continue 7:30-9:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Items will be judged at 10:15 a.m. and opened for public viewing Friday afternoon and 9 a.m.-1:30 p .m. Saturday, Oct. 24. Pictures will not be taken of winners, but all winning entries will announced in mass media. Due to COVID-19 and to avoid crowded conditions, pick up time for entries will be expanded to 1:30-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
For a detailed description of all entry categories, feel free to contact the Extension Office at 903-885-3443.
ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW
Applications for the Arts & Crafts Show are coming in on a regular basis now, but we still have room for more! If you and someone you know would be interested in selling their hand-made, hand-crafted items, this is the perfect opportunity! This is a highlight of the Hopkins County Fall Festival, and I always find that one-of-a-kind item, perfect for gift-giving (or keeping).
Applications are available in the Extension Office, on-line at https://hopkins. agrilife.org/publications, or call 903-885-3443, and we can e-mail the application.
No commercially made items will be accepted. This show is for home artisans. Both indoor and outdoor spaces are available.
CONCESSION STAND
We are looking for a group or organization to run a concession stand in the high school during these events. All proceeds go to the group or organization. Please call the Extension Office, 903-885-3443, for details.
CLOSING THOUGHT
“Live as long as you can and make the best of it. Nobody gets a do-over.”—Tim Moffett