Skip Navigation LinksHome > Emerging Artists

The 2012 Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Artist Competition Call For Entries
Now entering its fifth year, the Emerging Artist competition invites you to seize the challenge, to push your best ideas into the center of the spotlight. There are no limitations on medium, as long as the finished piece is wearable jewelry, designed and fabricated by you!

Deadline For The Emerging Artist Competition Entry is December 2


A completed registration form along with renderings, photographs or electronic files must be received by Rio Grande no later than 5pm on December 2, 2011.

Enter Online


2012 Saul Bell Design Award
Emerging Artist Online Entry Form

Enter By Mail


2012 Saul Bell Design Award
Emerging Artist Print Entry Form

the reward

To recognize those who provide mentorship and support to young designers, Rio also awards a matching prize to an instructor or school of the winner’s choice.

First Place
$500 Rio Grande Gift Certificate (plus a matching award to the instructor or school)

Second Place
$250 Rio Grande Gift Certificate (plus a matching award to the instructor or school)

Third Place
$100 Rio Grande Gift Certificate (plus a matching award to the instructor or school)

participants

Any designer 18 years of age or younger is welcome. Employees of Rio Grande or any affiliate or participating company (and immediate family members) may not participate.

judging criteria

Pieces are judged on the following criteria:
  • The innovation and uniqueness of the design.
  • The quality of workmanship of the finished piece (for final judging).

how to enter

You may submit as many entries as you wish, although only one finalist per category is possible.

To Enter Online
You can register online at www.saulbellaward.com/callforentries. Follow the online instructions, submit your 10MB image, and for an optional $35 fee (in addition to the $25 entry fee), Rio will print and mount an 8½" x 11" photo for preliminary judging.

To Enter by Mail
You can also fill out the 2012 Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Artist Entry Form and supply one rendering or photograph (at least 4" x 6") mounted on a white matte board (must be 8½" x 11"); no slides, please. Please keep a copy of your rendering or photograph; submissions will not be returned. Do not send finished pieces unless asked to do so by Rio Grande. Submissions which do not meet entry criteria may be disqualified. Send each rendering or photograph with a copy of the entry form (one per entry) and a $25 entry fee (per entry) to:
Rio Grande
7500 Bluewater Road NW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87121-1962
Attention: Design Competition
Submitting your Design
The preliminary round of judging requires a rendering or photograph of your design (must be at least 4" x 6") mounted on an 8½" x 11" white matte board; no slides will be accepted. A single image is preferred, although composites are appropriate if multiple views are relevant to your specific design.

Online Image Submission
If you register online, you have the option of submitting your rendering or photograph electronically. For an additional $35 fee Rio will print and mount an 8½" x 11" photo of your image for preliminary judging. Please submit a high-quality .pdf or .jpg file no larger than 10 megabytes. If you choose to submit your image electronically, you will be prompted to pay this fee via credit card at the completion of your registration.
Please keep a copy of your rendering or photograph; submissions will not be returned. Do not send finished pieces unless asked to do so by Rio Grande. Submissions which do not meet entry criteria may be disqualified.

finalists

Finalists will be notified by December 16, 2011, and asked to produce their designs for final judging. Finished pieces must be received by January 27, 2012, and will be returned to designers by August 24, 2012.

winners

Winners will be notified by phone and/or mail and announced formally to the public during JCK Las Vegas, 2012.

schedule


DECEMBER 2, 2011 Renderings or photographs must be received by Rio Grande.

DECEMBER 16, 2011 Finalists will be selected and notified.

JANUARY 27, 2012 Completed pieces must be received by Rio Grande.

JUNE, 2012 Winners announced to the public during JCK Las Vegas, and celebrated during an invitation-only gala.

return of winning pieces

Winning pieces will be returned to designers by August 24, 2012. Rio Grande cannot be held responsible for damage while in transit. Insurance of pieces while in Rio Grande’s possession will be the responsibility of Rio Grande. It is the responsibility of the designer or organization to insure pieces during transit to Rio Grande. Any additional insurance for more than the replacement cost of materials is the responsibility of the designer. Rio Grande assumes responsibility for shipping and insuring pieces being returned, limited to the replacement cost of materials.

photography publication

Rio Grande will secure photography for winning and finalist items. All images will remain the property of Rio Grande. Rio Grande reserves the right to use images of the finished pieces in any promotions. Designers (and sponsors when applicable) will be given credit any time their piece is featured in any promotion by Rio Grande. Please Note: Winning pieces will be retained until August 24, 2012 for photography and display in Rio Grande marketing efforts. Selected pieces may be publicly displayed, with credit given, on any of Rio Grande’s websites.

agreement

I agree to abide by the rules of the Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Artist competition and the final decision of the judges. By submitting an entry for consideration in the Saul Bell Design Award Emerging Artist competition, I agree to hold The Bell Group, Inc. (hereafter referred to as Rio Grande), its directors, its associates, its advertising and publicity agency and its members harmless from any and all claims, litigation or other legal proceeding. I understand Rio Grande will not insure submissions and will be responsible only for the replacement cost of materials in the event of loss, theft or damage of any jewelry piece, either in transit from Rio Grande to the designer or while in Rio Grande’s possession. Rio Grande suggests entrants retain copies of their entry form(s) and of all renderings or photographs for their files (submitted renderings and photographs will not be returned).