Art, Passion, and Recognition: The Journey to Becoming a Laurel
Hey there, fellow historical art enthusiasts! If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a Laurel in the SCA, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive into the world of artistry, creativity, and what it means to achieve this prestigious title.
Creating Art: The Core of the Laurel Path
To become a Laurel, you have to do art. Simply put, you need to create things, and they need to be good. The level of mastery can vary; some people excel in one specific art form, while others dabble in many and do them well. A Laurel must meet a high standard that holds up across all SCA kingdoms. If you’re recognized as a Laurel, you should be acknowledged for your skills in every kingdom within the SCA.
The Unique Challenge of Art
One fascinating aspect of the Laurel standard is that it often improves with age, like fine wine. But the diversity of arts presents a unique challenge. Laurels can be recognized for various skills, from costuming to brewing, painting to armor making. This diversity makes setting an absolute standard tricky. Unlike knights, who often train and battle together, artists in the SCA have a wide range of specialties, making their standards more subjective.
Defining Art and Creativity
So, what exactly is art? It’s a question that’s puzzled many throughout history. For me, art is about originality and creativity. Originality means creating something new, something that hasn’t been seen before. While we’re a medieval re-creation organization, it doesn’t mean we have to copy medieval examples exactly. Art involves infusing our creations with medieval-style personal touches.
Creativity, on the other hand, is about evoking responses. When we look at a piece of art, it should stir something within us—a mood, a feeling, or a memory. This is why music and theater are considered arts; they elicit emotional responses. It’s the reason I enjoyed creating award scrolls. Because they would make someone happy.
The Practical Side of Art
Of course, being a Laurel doesn’t mean you’re creating masterpieces all the time. Like any artist, there are moments of doodling, sketching, or experimenting. Not every piece will be a work of art, and that’s okay. The key is having the ability to create art and doing it consistently enough to build a high-quality body of work.
Building Your Artistic Portfolio
To be considered for a Laurel, you need a large body of work. This collection of pieces demonstrates your commitment to your craft and your contribution to the kingdom. It’s not about creating a single exceptional piece but about showing long-term dedication and skill. A portfolio of sorts, depending on the craft.
Craftsmanship and Medieval Aesthetic
Your creations must commonly show high craftsmanship and a medieval aesthetic. This means your work should be well-made and look like it belongs in the medieval era. The “period aesthetic” is crucial—think medieval, not modern. This can be tricky to define, but it’s about capturing the essence of medieval art and thinking.
Research and Design
Research plays a vital role in creating authentic medieval art. Whether you’re reconstructing a dance from period manuscripts or drawing Celtic knots from art books, understanding the historical context is essential. You have to know what elements in your work have medieval models or are a combination of several. Additionally, your creations must be functional. Shoes should fit, chairs should be steady, and scrolls should be show-worthy.
Avoid Craft Plagiarism
It’s essential to give credit where it’s due. Whether you’re borrowing from medieval sources or modern designs, always acknowledge the original creators. It’s a small effort that shows respect for the artists who came before you.
Conclusion
Becoming a Laurel is a journey of creativity, dedication, and respect for the art and history of the SCA. It’s not just about creating beautiful things but also about contributing to the richness of our shared medieval experience. So, pick up your tools, let your imagination run wild, and who knows? You will find yourself on the path to becoming a Laurel. Happy creating!
P.S. A point of view from the Kingdom of Lochac.
It’s important to note – one’s work must be *seen* and one’s name and face associated with it. Too many times I’ve hear, “Don’t know them” when the name of someone is brought up.
A person can do amazing art in several fields, and for many years, but if they aren’t known to be the person behind the work, others don’t make the association. It helps to have a Peer out there doing that promotion and showing off your stuff, pushing you to enter competitions or displays, teaching, etc.
No peer? Do it anyway. Have a blog and an online portfolio, and make regular, graphic-heavy posts to Facebook on the arts and Sciences pages or specialty arts pages about your stuff.
Get yourself seen. Do “pop up classes” in the Commons areas at events, even ones with no classes formally scheduled. Post research finds on the arts pages of FB.
Really become a cheerleader for your chosen art(s). Let it be known that you are a good resource for people interested in that thing, and then be super-approachable about showing it off to others.
Always have a demo going on at events, with a couple extra chairs for visitors. Even if you are super introverted, like me, just sitting and doing your thing but passively making it clear others are welcome (you could even have a sign “Hi, my name is … and I’m doing …Please have a seat, ask questions! ) can be a thing.
Never turn down an opportunity to teach at an event, and teach from beginners to advanced levels. Show you can work with period methods and materials to the greatest extent possible, and that you know the modern equivalents and why they are acceptable substitutions.
Make the “Don’t know them” crowd know you, for all the right reasons! –
Mistress Aidan Cocrinn, O.L.
Thank you so much for your kind, informative reply. You add some great points.