What’s An Award Scroll’s Purpose?
In the SCA we devote hours to award creation and giving. Whether entry level or the highest awards , from start to finish, their total creativity hours are in the thousands for each six-month reign. With all that consumed time, what’s their purpose?
I couldn’t believe it when I received my first award for illumination. I was having fun painting pictures from the Codex Manesse. I gave each one a new twist, relating it to someone in the SCA, painting a metaphor about the people receiving my art. I was abundantly surprised to be honored for having fun. The award made me aware my art mattered, as did the award I’d just received. It isn’t only one moment in time. The award lasts. … I have mine framed and it memorializes my joy every time I see it. It beautifies my home.
Awards express dreams. My Laurel scroll physically expresses my long-held dream realized. And, my new beginning.
Scroll creation is how I express a fantasy, myth or noteworthy life happening. As with my Manesse Codex twist, there is sneaky pleasure including personally relevant motifs in a scroll, like those I included for HL Beatriz.
There is also meditation in scroll painting. When I paint, on stopping I often realize hours have unknowingly gone by. I loose myself in time and the world falls away.
Award scrolls have more important purposes than their obvious intent. We teach, learn, honor, share, beautify, and take pleasure through their giving. They give purpose to my life.
An Itinerant Scribe 