A question to the Kingdom A&S Minister, Master Philip White:
“I saw you posted the rules for the Crown’s A&S Championship competition. Should I enter?”
A reply from the Minister:
Should a person enter?
Well, that’s not something I can answer. That’s something artisans really need to figure out for themselves. Instead of telling someone what they should or should not do, I try to walk them through a thought process to figure out what is right for them.
Here’s how I go about it. I ask a series of questions. Here’s an approximation of how I go about that interaction:
- “Have you entered an A&S Competition before?”
- “Have you read the Kingdom rubrics?”
- “Have you visited one of the A&S Consultation tables?”
- “Do you know what you want to enter?”
- “Do you think it will be fun?”
- “Do you have something to teach? Do you have something to learn?”
Some might read this and think I am pushing back on artisans. It’s okay to think that. I am pushing back on artisans.
But why would I do that?
I want people to have good experiences.
I want people to enjoy A&S Champs for what it is… A rigorous and difficult challenge where people are critically assessed and given thorough and constructive feedback while getting to compete against some of the best artisans in the Kingdom to represent the Consort and Sovereign as their champions.
I want people to have fun.
Not everyone will have fun entering A&S Champs. I know that. We’ve made mistakes as judges and as organizers. We try to correct those when they happen and try to avoid making them in the future.
One thing we try to avoid is people who are not prepared for the experience of entering A&S Champs. Rarely do they leave with a good feeling about A&S Champs. And worse they might leave with a negative overall feeling about A&S competitions and displays in general. Or maybe all A&S in general.
That’s not people having fun. I don’t want that to happen.
The A&S Championship competition isn’t for everyone. Competitions in general aren’t for everyone. Even displays are not for everyone.
So should an artisan enter A&S Champs? Only if it is right for them.
Remember… Have fun! Learn! Teach!
Your Servant to Command,
~p.w.