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NIADA
Standards
The
National Institue of American Doll Artists was founded in 1963
for the purpose of promoting hand made dolls as a fine art form.
By employing the highest requirements, NIADA encourages gifted
artists who create entirely original art dolls to strive for the
finest realization of their talents. Artists' membership in NIADA
is by election, and the Standards Committee's decisions are based
on the following statement: Whether produced as a one-of-a-kind
piece or part of an edition, the ideal work reflects excellence;
all work must be consistently well conceived, expertly executed
without technical faults, and should show an identity of design.
All those intersted in applying for artist membership should give
serious thought to these ideals:
Excellence
of Execution
The work must be well made, impeccibly finished. A mastery of
medium used should be apparent. Sculpting should be flawless and
proportions accurate or fitting the concept of the piece if exaggerated.
Hair application should be of appropriate material and flawlessly
applied as well. Costuming should be well conceived, fabric appropriate
to scale of figure and expertly sewn.
Consistency
A NIADA artist must be trusted to exhibit the highest quality
of workmanship in every piece. A NIADA artist has the highest
personal standards for their work that reflect the organization's.
Identity
of Design
This is an essential element in NIADA's standards; each NIADA
artist's having a true signature style elevates the work into
the realm of high art. Every NIADA artist should have a style
that is utterly unique and recognizable.
An artist applying for membership must submit five images of four
dolls, one image being a close-up detail of one piece. These images
are voted on every year at the annual conference by the standards
committee, which consists of eight members. Applications are considered
on the merits of the work pictured, and in those instances where
the photographs are not of professional quality the work may not
be seen to its full advantage. A rejection should not be interpreted
as a final comment on your work, but only as a collective comment
relative to that year's specific jurors. Many NIADA artists apply
a number of times before being accepted as artist members. An
artist who passes the initial voting must then submit a portfolio
to the committee to be voted on by the committee as well. an artist
whose portfolio passes is then invited to bring three pieces to
the annual conference, where the entire artist membership votes
on the applicant being accepted into the organization.
Each
year at the annual conference an informal seminar is held where
any interested artist may bring one or two pieces of their work
to be critiqued by NIADA artists. We urge any interested artists
to participate in this as NIADA is an organization committed to
sharing techniques and technical knowledge. It is also helpful
for those interested in membership to see firsthand the work of
such varied talents.
Please
send your applications requests to me via e-mail. I will be happy
to answer any further questions you have regarding membership.
Donna May Robinson,
NIADA Standards Chair
donnamaydolls@optonline.net
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