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Join Us in Antigua Guatemala

Congress of Jade Carvers from the Americas
(III Edition)

Are you a jade carver or do you use Guatemalan jade in your jewelry creations? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! We invite you to participate in the Third Congress of Latin American Jade Carvers, a prestigious event dedicated to celebrating the exceptional talent and artistry of jade carvers from across the Americas. It will be held at the historic Museo Nacional de Arte Colonial in Antigua Guatemala from November 7th to 10th.

This year’s theme will be all about the Popol Vuh, a foundational text of the Maya civilization. It is one of the most important pieces of Mesoamerican literature and it provides valuable insights into the mythology, history, and cultural identity, offering a window into the worldview of the ancient Maya.

A significant portion of the Popol Vuh is dedicated to the adventures of the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque. These demigod brothers embark on various quests and face numerous challenges, including defeating the lords of the underworld, Xibalba.

PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

CATEGORIES:

  • SCULPTURE
  • JEWELRY

PARTICIPATION:

  • All jade carvers from the Americas (North, Central, South and Insular America) who create artworks using only Guatemalan jadeite are welcome to participate. Each artist can submit one piece per category.
  • All artworks must be newly created for this event, unpublished, never exhibited or awarded, and not entered in any other competition or festival.
  • The participating artwork must be available for sale.
  • The participating artwork must be the original work and property of the registering artist.
  • Proof of authorship must be provided through documentation of the process. Artworks without proof of authorship will not be eligible to participate.
  • The artwork must be made from a single piece of Guatemalan jadeite; no inlays are allowed.
  • The minimum size of the artwork should be 20 cm, and the maximum size 50 cm. These measurements do not include a base. If the artwork includes a base, it can be made of any material but does not count towards the size and is not subject to evaluation.
  • The color of the jade is not a determining factor in the evaluation. Any color of jade can be used as long as it is Guatemalan jadeite. The evaluation will focus solely on the carving.

SUBMISSION OF WORKS:

  • The deadline for submitting pieces is Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at Jade Maya. (4a. Calle Oriente #34, Antigua Guatemala.)
  • Pieces not submitted by the deadline will be excluded from the competition.
  • Identification of the author with a clear photo of a personal document from their country and/or passport is needed for registration.
  • Identification of the artwork including name and description of it, indicating the passage or chapter of the Popol Vuh that inspired it.

CALL FOR ENTRIES AND REGISTRATION:

  • Registration is open from now and closes on Monday, July 31 at midnight.
  • Registration is via the electronic form attached: https://forms.gle/7NKWdKhYi8bXFFsZ8.
  • Photos will be taken of how the pieces are received by the organizing committee. The pieces will be handed back to the authors at the end of the event.
  • For any questions or inquiries, please send an email to congresotalladores@jademaya.com and/or call to (+502) 7931-2400.

JURY:

The jury will consist of:

  • A professional specialized in carving, art, and cultural heritage of Guatemala.
  • A professional on the subject of the Popol Vuh.
  • The winning artist of the previous Congress of Carvers.
  • International jade carvers.

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR SCULPTURES:

  • Adherence to the theme.
  • Carving technique.
  • Details and final finish of the artwork (matte | shiny | mixed).
  • Adherence to size range.
  • Presentation of the artwork.

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR JEWELRY:

  • Creativity. The theme is free and can be combined with metals, leather, and other materials.
  • Composition. The piece must consist of 80% jade and the rest is a free choice.
  • Details and final finish of the jewelry.
  • The jewelry must be handcrafted.

OBSERVATIONS:

  • The color of the jade is not an evaluation subject, as long as it is Guatemalan jadeite.
  • The jury's decisions are final.

DURATION AND RULES OF THE CONGRESS:

The congress will take place on Thursday 7th, Friday 8th, Saturday 9th, and Sunday 10th of November, 2024.

The event is entirely cultural and artistic; therefore, direct sales are not allowed during the event as it is prohibited within the premises of the Museo de Arte Colonial, administered by the Government under the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Guatemala.

Artists may promote themselves and their jewelry pieces with cards or information directing the public to visit the artist's temporary expo-sale at Jade Maya during the closing cocktail night.

Participants in the closing cocktail may have a maximum of 15 pieces for sale, which must be exclusive designs of the carver. These pieces must be delivered by Wednesday, October 30, at Jade Maya for registration and labeling.

Jade Maya will provide all credit card payment equipment for the expo-sale. Cash will be handled directly by the artists.

The closing cocktail includes a fashion show where artists can showcase their products to guests.

The awarding of winners and prizes will take place on Sunday, November 10, at the closing of the event at Jade Maya.

Unforeseen cases in this call will be resolved by The Maya Conservancy and Jade Maya via congresotalladores@jademaya.com.

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