How to Apply for Guild Artisan

Are you thinking of applying for Artisan Membership? We hope the following will give you an idea of what the Selection Committee is looking for. (There is a link to download information below)

 

First Impression

How is the work presented? What do you think of when you first look at the piece?

The way your work is presented is important. For example, if you are applying in the fine arts category, be sure to put your painting in an attractive, well made frame. State that the frame is yours if you made it, or if not, who made it. You will lose points on a poor frame, but not for using one made by someone else. Either way, the frame should be of equal quality to your painting. Likewise, if you are applying in the costume category, be sure to dress the best doll you can find. Remember that the accessories you choose are helping to present your work in the best possible light, so don’t overlook their importance.

Degree of Difficulty

You should be beyond the beginning level before you apply. You need to have worked in your category long enough to make it work for you. If you choose something too ambitious and don’t quite get it right, you will lose points. Find your level and do it well with creativity and imagination.

Workmanship

Your piece needs to be well made and in scale. Scale is very important and proportion is also very important—is the pot the right size for the plant, etc? Do the materials you are using lend themselves to miniatures or should you be looking for something better? Look for unusual material and different ways of handling them. Does the finished piece look realistic? The finishing and attention to detail need to be addressed. That extra touch is important. Use glass instead of acrylic. Seal the ends of silk ribbons so they don’t fray. Keep your work neat and clean. Make sure there is no glue showing. Finish furniture so it feels silky, not rough. Pieces should fit together to make a pleasant whole.

The Artisan Process

There are four categories of membership within the International Guild of Miniature Artisans, Ltd: General Membership, Family Membership, Artisan Membership and Fellow Membership. Anyone may join as a General member or be added as a Family member. This would include all persons who are interested in miniatures, whether they collect, build, sell, or just enjoy the world of miniatures.

Artisan Membership is one of the most sought-after designations in the Guild. To become an Artisan, one must submit samples of one’s work to be evaluated by the members of the Artisan Selection Committee. This committee is composed of Fellow, Artisan and General members.

You must be a member of IGMA for at least one year immediately prior to applying for Artisan membership. Should you desire to apply for Fellow membership in the future, you need to have been an Artisan member for at least a continuous two years immediately prior to applying for Fellow membership.

The Application

To start the process, contact Misty Barth or Pat Richards, Artisan Selection Committee Co‑chairs, or Carol Hardy, Guild Administrator.

Upon receipt of your request for an application, you will be entered into our computer and be sent an application form and a cover letter giving complete information and the schedule of the next evaluation. The applicant pays an application fee of $50 when sending in the forms and items to be evaluated by the Artisan Selection Committee.

Alternatively, you may download and print the application documents from this website. In either case, you must notify either Misty, Pat or Carol of your intention to apply so that you can be placed on the evaluation calendar. If you do not notify us, there is the possibility that the schedule may be too full to evaluate your submission.

The Artisan Selection Committee meets to evaluate once each year in the spring. The successful applicants’ names are then presented to the Board of Trustees at their meeting for final approval. The successful applicant then receives an Artisan Certificate personalized with the name, date and category in which Artisan Membership was attained.

It is strongly urged that Artisan certificates be displayed if Artisans take part in miniature shows. They have earned this special distinction and the honor may be displayed, but only as long as they remain Artisan members of IGMA.

Some of the Artisan applicants, unfortunately, do not earn the required points to become an Artisan. In each case, a letter is sent to the applicant clearly stating why the submission was not successful and offering suggestions for improvement. It is hoped that those comments are received as constructive.

Applicants may reapply at any time, and many are successful on their next attempt. The initial fee of $50 covers three attempts at becoming an Artisan, but only as long as the applicant remains an active member of IGMA and does not drop the membership. A second fee, also valid for three more applications, must be paid if applying for the fourth time.

Please remember to send your very best work. No matter how great your reputation as a craftsman is, the committee can evaluate you only on the pieces you submit. We have had people tell us that they need their best pieces for a show. If that is the case, remember that we have your pieces for only a short time. We try to make the deadline for submissions as close as possible to our evaluation and board meeting. Your pieces are returned as soon as possible.

Please note: Board of Trustee Members are not permitted to apply for Artisan or Fellow Membership while serving on the Board. If you are anticipating running for office, consider carefully whether you will be content to wait until your tenure ends before applying for Artisan.

 

Download Artisan Application and Information

To be eligible to apply for Artisan membership, one must be a member in good standing for one continuous year immediately prior to applying for Artisan membership. Upon successfully satisfying the application process and receiving formal approval by the Board of Trustees, the applicant is invited to become an Artisan member. The right to display the Artisan certificate and be identified as an IGMA Artisan requires maintaining current membership in IGMA.

Please contact one of the Artisan Selection Co-chairs, Misty Barth (mistybarth@aol.com) or Pat Richards (pat@prminiatures.com), or Guild Administrator, Carol Hardy (info@igma.org), to let them know you intend to apply for Artisan so that you can be placed on the evaluation calendar. If you do not notify us, there is the possibility that the schedule may be too full to evaluate your submission.

Please download all three forms below as part of the Artisan Application process.

 

To Request an application or more information contact:

Misty Barth, Artisan Selection Co-chairperson
17 Whitney Glen
Westport, CT 06880-3757
Tel 203-221-9261
Email: mistybarth@aol.com

or

Pat Richards, Artisan Selection Co-chairperson
405 East 14th Street, Apt. 11H
New York, NY 10009
Tel 212-254-9205
Email: pat@prminiatures.com

or

Carol Hardy
P.O. Box 629
Freedom, CA 95019-0629
Tel 1-800-711-IGMA
Tel (Outside US): 831-724-7974
Email: info@igma.org
Fax: 831-724-8605