1. Realistic Life-size Birds known as "Decorative", refers to carvings portraying realism through carving, feather texturing and painting. Water bird categories include both flat bottomed birds (as if on water) and carvings that have full body profiles and can be standing, flying or shown with habitat. Habitat may include materials other than wood.
2. Song Birds are grouped in three categories by size - small, medium and large (see Species lists). The judging chair will decide placement of any species not on the lists.
3. Miniature refers to a carving that is one-half life-size or smaller. Carvings less than full-size but larger than half-size compete in the appropriate full-size category.
4. Heads compete in the appropriate full-size category.
5. Hunting Decoys refers to working decoys that could be used for hunting. Decoys MAY BE FLOATED (depending on the number of entries) and must self right; ducks from any position and geese from the side. Unsupported primary feathers are not allowed. Entries will be judged for sturdiness and proper floatation.Simplicity of painting is required. All entries must have attachment points for anchor lines (lines and anchors not needed).
6. Contemporary Decoys includes both IWCA-style decoys and non-floating flat bottom “smoothies”. Entries may be with or without a keel but WILL NOT BE FLOATED. There are no restrictions on painting. This division also includes shorebirds mounted on a simple base with a wood or metal dowel.
7. Antique-Style refers to carvings made to look as if they are old by the manner in which they are carved, painted and finished.
8. Decorative Life-size Fish entries will be judged for realism of the fish and habitat, as well as the other judging criteria listed.
9. Decorative Life-size Wall Mount entries will be hung on the wall for judging and must have sturdy attachments for hanging.
10. Decorative Miniature Fish entries must be full-bodied, one-half life-size or less, with a maximum subject length of 8 inches.
11. Interpretive Fish Carving entries will be judged based on creativity, not as a true-to-life representation. Eyes may be carved or glass. Natural finish or painted entries are acceptable.
12. Interpretive and Stylized wildlife is open to any interpretation or style; entries can be natural finish, wood burned or painted but not trueto-life.
13. Myth and Fantasy includes both animsl-like creatures (dragons, unicorns) and humanoids (elves, fairies, gnomes, mermaids, Santas, trolls, wizards, etc.).
14. Botanical includes carvings depicting flowers, fruits, leaves or other vegetative subjects. It is also the category to enter carvings made from wood-like materials (except bark) such as nuts and gourds.
15. Miscellaneous is for carvings that do not fit any other category. Examples include abstract forms, puzzles, spoons and othe wood sculptures.
16. Native-Style refers to carvings inspired by First Nations art, particularly the natives of the Pacific Coast of North America, but other native styles are welcome in this Division. The two categories seperate “in-the-round” (masks, rattles, totems, bowls) from mainly “flat surface” carvings (plaques, paddles and boxes)
17. Woodturning is divided into six categories. Hollow-form includes vases or turnings where the opening of the vessel is relatively small; boxes are any lidded container; multi-part assemblies are entries with multiple turned pieces in a set (such as chess or tea sets); spindles are any "between centre" turnings; segmented turnings are composed of multiple pieces of wood glued together, typically to create designs.
18. Woodworking - Decorative includes pyrography (woodburning), marquetry (inlay) & intarsia (using varied shapes, sizes and species of wood fitted together to create a mosaic-like picture) and scroll saw projects intended to be artwork or primarily decorative. Pyrography includes pictures, boxes or other items where woodburning is a dominant element of the piece.
19. Woodworking - Functional includes four categories of items intended to be used for specific functions. Household includes breadbords and other small functional items not covered by other categories. Furniture includes tables, chairs, cabinets etc.
20. Musical Instruments is divided into three categories: all stringed instruments, percussion (drums and other instruments that make a sound when they are hit, shaken or scraped) and woodwind (flutes, recorders, etc.).
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The competitions are open to carvers and other woodworkers of all skill levels. All entries must be entirely the work of the person(s) entering. If the entry is by more than one person all names must be on the entry form. Your entry must have been completed within the LAST 5 YEARS and has not competed in “The Brant” show before. You may no longer enter the same piece a second year in a row in another skill level. There is no limit to the total number of entries an individual may enter in the show, or in each category.

All entries must be made of wood (excluding Division O “Other Media”), except for eyes, feet, habitat, hardware or supports which may be made of other materials. Wood includes bark, nuts, and laminated products. For Advanced and Expert wildfowl carvings, you must fabricate the feet. Habitat materials other than wood may be included in the presentation of a carving, provided that the materials used are appropriate and are used in a complementary manner. For wildfowl, fish, and other wildlife the carver should fabricate all habitat components. In Advanced and Expert skill levels, judges may deduct for the use of “found” materials for habitat (such as real branches, driftwood). Bases used for support but not part of the habitat can be made by someone other than the carver.

Entries may not be removed until Sunday at 4:00 PM.

Judges will consider the following criteria in the judging process. All five criteria are important, and they overlap and build upon each other. The most successful carvings will succeed in all five areas.

1. Craftsmanship refers to the technical skills involved in carving or woodworking, including painting and finishing. Good craftsmanship should be consistent throughout the piece.
2. Accuracy involves the correctness of a piece from a scientific perspective (if applicable).
3. Essence of the Species (if applicable): that which brings the piece alive, capturing the unique qualities of a particular species.
4. Artistry of a piece refers to its design and composition. This is where presentation, innovation and creativity all come into play. There should be beauty in the concept apart from the beauty of the subject itself. Line, form, content, colour, mass and movement should work together to create an integrated whole.
5. Originality the piece should express your ideas and your own work — not copy someone else’s work. Originality becomes more important with each higher skill level.

Criteria adapted from the Ward World Championship.

The judges’ determination is final and not subject to review. Judging and competition standards of the Pacific Northwest Carvers Association are followed unless specified otherwise. The show officials may change an entry to a more appropriate skill level or category or may disqualify an entry for violation of the competition rules.

CNC Computer Numerical Control (or CNC) routing is a technology which has several useful commercial or shop applications (i.e., signage, milling, etc.). However, since the actual cutting process is software-driven, automated and involves no hand motor skills (such as using gouges, chisels, knives, or a rotary tool hand piece and bits), no carving or woodworking entry will be accepted at any skill level in the competition which has any amount of CNC routing. Entries must be entirely hand-made.

• You are responsible for knowing and understanding all of the rules of the contest entered.
• You are responsible for entering each piece in the appropriate Category and Skill Level.
• You will address any complaints directly and only to the Show Chair.
• You may not communicate with the Judges at any time during the judging.
• You should not have an entry critiqued by a Judge prior to the competition.
• If you solicit a Judge to critique your entries after they have been judged, you will accept the Judge’s comments courteously.