Those are words Juried Members use to describe the benefits of being juried by one of the largest and most established crafts guilds in the country, The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.  People who pursue juried status do so for the prestige and acknowledgement that comes with having their work achieve the mark of excellence that distinguishes them from the mainstream.

Juried Status is the crown jewel of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen.  It serves as the measure of excellence that the PGC is known for, and is the mark of achievement that distinguishes work from the mainstream.  It grants recognition for a body of work that is exceptional.  Juried Status in the PGC is an honor awarded to work deemed to show

• excellence in craftsmanship
• resolved design
• unique voice or style

Members in good standing of the PGC have the opportunity to present a selection of their work for peer review in application for a Juried Status Award.  Unlike the jury process typically done by slide or digital image for selection into fine craft shows, gallery exhibitions and competitions, which are all one time events, state juried status is an honorary designation awarded only after rigorous hands on examination of the work in question.  The award is for a body of work, not just for an individual piece or pieces. 

Who determines what work receives this honor?  The Standards Committee of the PGC is headed by the VP Standards.  The committee is comprised of a group of juried members who are recognized as experts in their field.  They bring a wide range and depth of experience and represent a variety of media and approach to craft.  Some are traditionalists working in historically accurate reproductions, some apply traditional techniques to their own original contemporary designs, while others push methods and means to the ultimate for a completely unique expression of creative thought.  They were all carefully chosen for this committee because together they form a balanced perspective. 

In reviewing work to be considered for juried status, the standards committee is guided by three established touch marks.  These are excellence in craftsmanship, resolved design and a unique style or voice. 

Excellence in craftsmanship

Excellence in craftsmanship is reserved for work that shows the highest standards of quality.   The work demonstrates a mastery of the medium, far beyond basic and intermediate proficiency skills.  Attention to details and a thorough knowledge of the medium is demonstrated.  Materials used are of the highest quality and of the best choice to enhance the overall design of the piece.  The entire work is executed without technical flaw and it meets its intended purpose; if it’s a pitcher, it must pour, a jacket must fit, a drawer must glide freely. The appropriateness of technique and process are successfully united in a piece that shows excellence of craftsmanship.

Resolved Design

In work awarded juried status, the design is resolved and individual to the craftsman.  Good composition is expected. The use of tension and space enhance overall design.  Choice of materials and methods show innovation and mastery with all elements working together.  Reproduction of traditional work is acceptable.  It must be authentic, able to be documented, and built to the criteria of the medium’s standards.  Resolved design shows artistic excellence. 

Style or Unique Voice

Style represents the true creative nature of the Designer Craftsman.  A unique voice is an innate part of all juried craftsmen’s expression.  The conceptual richness evidenced in the work shows the nature, complexion and execution that marks each individual’s work as distinctive and unique.  It sets it apart from the work of others, not only qualitatively, but in achieving an individual identity, readily recognizable as belonging to that maker.   Copies of other’s work, work similar to or from commercially available design, kits or patterns may not be used. 

Taken together, the successful marriage of excellence in craftsmanship, resolved design and unique style produce a WOW factor that merits the awarding of the high honorary recognition of Juried Status in the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsman. 

What are the benefits of Juried Status?

• Prestigious acknowledgement by the PGC for a body of work that shows excellence.
• Only juried members are invited to submit work to gallery exhibits
• Only images of juried member work are used for publicity, marketing and branding for the PGC/PDC
• Bonus points are awarded to juried members at show selection
• Names of juried members will be highlighted in the PGC member directory.
• Web links for juried members will be highlighted with a direct link from the PA Crafts website.
• Only juried members have the opportunity to participate in a group booth at the Buyers Market of American Craft (Rosen) and be shepherded in that booth by a juried member with wholesale experience.
• Only juried members have the opportunity to participate in the Guild's shared booths at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
• Juried members receive preferential notice by the office when someone calls requesting a reference for a specific craft.
• Juried members have joined a select group that can provide networking, connection, collaboration and support as they continue their creative journeys.