Enter the 2010 MJSA Vision Award Competition

Click here to download an application form

ELIGIBILITY

Eligible contestants are independent jewelry designers, company-employed jewelry designers, and students enrolled in an art, design or jewelry-related program at a college, university, or a proprietary technical school. By entering the MJSA Vision Awards Design Competition, winners agree to have their names, photos, and designs used and displayed in conjunction with Expo New York and in any publicity generated by MJSA.

1.The Design Excellence,Technical Solution, and Gold Distinction categories are open to independent or company-employed jewelry designers.

2. The Future of the Industry Award is open to any student enrolled in an art, design, or jewelry-related program at a college, university, or a proprietary technical school.

AWARDS

All winning entries will be on display for thousands of buyers and exhibitors at MJSA Expo New York (March 14-16, 2010). They will also be recognized in a MJSA news release delivered to the trade and consumer press; in MJSA Journal; in MJSA Up to Date e-newsletter; and in a special section on the MJSA website, mjsa.org. In addition, all Vision Award winners will receive beautifully crafted awards recognizing their achievement.

The first place Design Excellence winner will receive a $1000 gift certificate from Rio Grande and the first place Visionary Technical Solution winner will receive a $500 gift certificate from Rio Grande, and both winning entries will be featured in special ad pages in the following trade publications:

InStore

Metalsmith

MJSA Journal

All second-place Design Excellence and Visionary Technical Solution winners will receive a full library of MJSA Press publications (value up to $372) and be recognized in trade publication ads.

All first-place Gold and Laser Distinction winners will each receive $500 cash awards, and second-place Gold and Laser Distinction winners will each receive $250 cash prizes. All Distinction entries will be recognized in trade publication ads.

The first-place Future of the Industry winner will receive a $1000 scholarship from the MJSA Education Foundation, payable to any jewelry design, jewelry making, or other jewelry-related degree program at a U.S. college, university, or technical school.  The second-place Future of the Industry winner will receive a $500 scholarship from the MJSA Education Foundation.

The MJSA Vision Awards will be presented on March 16, 2010, at MJSA Expo New York at the Hilton New York, the largest and oldest trade show in the United States dedicated to the design and manufacturing of jewelry.  The MJSA Expo New York show attracts leaders from all aspects of jewelry manufacturing and marketing.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Please do not send actual work for judging. Entries must be 300 dpi digital images (JPEG or TIFF formats). Images can be submitted on CD or emailed to Kristin.Kopaz@mjsa.org. For Design Excellence, Visionary Technical Solution, Laser Distinction, and Gold Distinction, please submit photographic images on finished pieces.  For Future of the Industry, please submit renderings, or if available, photographic images may also be submitted. Description, name, or company name should not appear on any of the images submitted.

All entries must be accompanied by the following:

  • A detailed description of the design and technique and materials used. Descriptions for all entries except Future of the Industry should also include total material costs.
  • A profile/biography and artist’s statement. (Future of the Industry entries must include name of school in which student is currently enrolled.)
  • Entry fee: MJSA members: $50 for up to three entries. Non-members: $125 for up to three entries. Students: Free. All entry fees include a one-year subscription to MJSA Journal, MJSA’s monthly magazine.
  • To be considered for Visionary Technical Solution: A detailed explanation of how the design used manufacturing technologies or specific techniques to craft the finished product.
  • To be considered for Laser Distinction: A detailed explanation of how the laser was used in the creation of the piece, and how its use was critical to the design’s execution.
  • Entries must be postmarked by January 15, 2010.

All entries will be automatically considered for Design Excellence. All entries that meet the Gold Distinction requirements will automatically be considered for that honor. All designs must be new, original, and unavailable for sale until after the competition, and they cannot have won any previous competitions. Winners agree to have their names, photos, and designs used and displayed in conjunction with MJSA Expo New York 2010 (March 14-16) and any publicity generated by MJSA. Winners must have finished jewelry entries available by March 12, 2010, for display at MJSA Expo New York.

JUDGING

Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of jewelry designers, manufacturers, and editors of leading jewelry trade publications. Judges may reject any entry that, in their opinion, fails to meet competition standards.

The following criteria will be used to determine winning entries:

  • Originality
  • Presentation quality

For more information about the MJSA Vision Awards, please contact Kristin Kopaz or Kristin.Kopaz@mjsa.org, or 1-800-444-MJSA, ext. 3040.

Click here to download an application form