I don't recall how I learn of some quilt contests I participate in. Typically, it's a call for participants that are shared via Facebook these days. I suppose I learned of the Cherrywood Challenge from a couple different directions. In any event, I participated in the Bob Ross Challenge that was for 2019. I was shocked to learn I won first place.
I was joyfully looking forward to getting a boost in my "career" from being part of it and winning 1st place. I didn't get any boost. They never used my quilt in any advertisements of their shows in any social media. I have no idea why.
Because of Covid, what was supposed to travel for a year stretched to 3 years. They never really asked if they could keep the works, instead just sort of informed us. The last communication I saw was it would be returned in January, but suddenly, it just showed up in November when I was least expecting it.
Of course they have moved on to 2 other challenges since and one I got in and one I did not. At this point, the price of participating, the number of people participating while the exhibit numbers remain the same, means the odds against you are growing. There's a point that you must weigh if it's worth it or not.
It's all making me rethink my place at this point. I'm getting older and I have achieved a lot of goals I've set over time. Despite the obstacles in my way. Maybe it's my way of looking at the world, but I am not interested in pay to play. It's always the artist that pays for the opportunity to share their vision with the world.
This week, Bob Ross returned home and the ribbon came with it. Nothing else. Not even a thank you letter. My husband looked at it and said, "I thought your piece was a portrait of Bob Ross." So, apparently no one really looks at what art I make. I don't know what to make of that.
