JANESVILLE 鈥 Early in fair week, project judging took place at the Rock County Fair. On Tuesday, a fashion show and floral extravaganza took over the Craig Center while judges examined sculptures, drawings and paintings in the Blackhawk building.
For visual arts, a huge part of entering a piece is the design phase, when students will develop an idea, make plans and source materials.
鈥淪ometimes, it starts with a picture, like, I鈥檒l see something online that I like. Sometimes it starts with a container. I got this one at a garage sale last year,鈥 Lucy Johnson said.
Johnson, a member of Evansville 4-H, submitted floral arrangements this year, both as hangings and as centerpieces. One centerpiece had flowers and foliage bursting out of a wire cornucopia.
鈥淭his one was about the texture,鈥 she said, gesturing to the various types of faux flowers used. Large, orange blooms were nestled between straw-like, feathery shoots and small brown vines.
By incorporating variety in texture, color and size, Johnson said she was able to incorporate more visual interest into her design.
Some exhibitors use previous designs as a starting point.
鈥淚 did this last year, so I just started designing things how I liked it,鈥 said JoLynn Elzy, of Badger 4-H. Elzy鈥檚 chosen medium is tie dye, and she chooses to dye clothing so it can be worn outside of the competition.
There are a lot of options for youth showing clothing, since judging is broken down by a variety of factors. Elzy鈥檚 tie dye designs are judged differently from a dress sewn by a student, for example.
鈥淣ormally we find patterns at fabric stores, and then you pick your fabric afterwards,鈥 Charlotte Franseen said. 鈥淪ometimes I like to alter my patterns鈥ometimes I just don鈥檛 use a pattern at all. It just depends on who your model is.鈥
This year, Franseen debuted a white dress with a butterfly pattern during the family review portion of the judging. Her sister wore the dress while Franseen explained to the judge what she struggled with and improved at while sewing.
Last year, Franseen鈥檚 involvement with 4-H went further than sewing, which she has been doing the last 8 or so years. This is her 11th year in 4-H.
鈥淚 represented Rock County on the Court of Honor last year, and I really learned that everybody鈥檚 there to help you,鈥 she said.
While everyone hopes to place well and receive positive feedback, they said it doesn鈥檛 feel like a competition.
鈥淭here was one day I had forgotten something at my house. And then one lady was like, 鈥極h, I have this,鈥 and another lady had the other half of what I needed. Everybody just comes together and helps you when you need,鈥 Franseen said.
Naomi Pickering, of Rock Valley 4-H, also found that the environment not as intimidating. The judges, Pickering said, just want to help kids make the best projects they can.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e very good about trying to give you high ribbons, and they鈥檙e very nice about giving low ribbons. They explain how you can do a little better next year,鈥 she said.
鈥淎nd it鈥檚 usually not about ribbons, it鈥檚 more about having fun making the project.鈥