2025 IPAT COMPETITION--A LONG HISTORY

IPAT’s competition dates back to 1960 with its first convention. For years, it was in person. In 2020, it shifted to online to allow for greater participation. Rather than comparing one work to another, each piece is judged on its own merit. Score totals determine the award category. Each person competes against their toughest competitor--themself. All award winners - Gold, Silver, and Bronze have the opportunity to be featured in the IPAT magazine, newsletter and/or social media.

The following explanation on the judging criteria can help you to design your entries. Please review the terms below and apply to your design for the best results.

COMPOSITION/DESIGN
 

• The principles of art provide fundamental guidelines that artists use to organize and arrange the visual elements in their work. They are concepts such as balance, proportion, emphasis, rhythm, unity, and variety. By applying these principles effectively, participants can create visually appealing and harmonious compositions that captivate the viewer's attention.

• The elements of art serve as the basic building blocks of any artwork. They include line, shape, form, color, value, texture, and space. By skillfully utilizing these elements, participants can effectively communicate their ideas and concepts through their artwork.
   

OVERALL UNITY
 

• Ensure all parts of the artwork belong together and contribute to its overall harmony, no parts awkwardly left out of place.

• Overall unity can be achieved through the skillful repetition of artistic elements such as color, value, and line.
   

CLARITY OF EXPRESSION

The elements and principles of art convey mood and emotion, eg

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• Jagged, erratic lines convey tension or unease, while smooth, flowing lines evoke a sense of calm or serenity.

• Angular and sharp shapes create a sense of energy or aggression, while soft and rounded forms evoke feelings of comfort or gentleness.

• Warm hues like red and orange evoke passion, energy, or warmth, while cool tones like blue and green evoke calmness, tranquility, or sadness. Vibrant and saturated colors convey excitement or intensity, while muted or desaturated colors evoke subtler or melancholic moods.

AWARDS AND PRIZES

Awards are determined by total score

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• GOLD, SILVER, and BRONZE Digital Award Certificates

• Opportunity to be featured in IPAT’s publications and media Porcelain Painting

PRIZE FOR TOP 5 SCORERS : Free Virtual Magazine Membership for 2026

CATEGORIES AND REGISTRATION
 

• (PP)--Artist’s choice on style and theme Mixed Media

• (MM)--hand built porcelain, or a porcelain piece that also incorporates another product/substance; such as, glass, wood, metal, paper or anything else; however, the piece must be mostly porcelain.

 

• August 1-15, 2025 - Submit photos and pay by PayPal or credit card on the IPAT website

• $30 USD per entry

• Sept 30, 2025 – Results released to participants

REQUIREMENTS ON IMAGES
 

• Use solid non-textured plain background

• NO flash, no frame, with or without glass, no digital date markings

• Take one picture per side of artwork if it is multi-sided

• .jpg of the highest quality setting; Resolution 300+ dpi/ppi or higher (A4)

• Name the .jpg with your name, membership number, category and artwork name eg: Judy Smith-11260-PP-Happy Memory

MANDATORY RULES
 

• Members only; IPAT’s decisions are final.

• Original artwork only - Paint from your imagination or your camera,

• NO COPYING. NO class work, NO nudity art and NO decals or purchased understructure or guidelines.

• Only Mixed Media Category allows glued pieces or attached or unfired materials.

• All entries must be painted by the submitting artist.

• Artworks must not have been entered in any IPAT contest, or publication.

• All entries are subject to legal use by IPAT in publications and media.​

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JUDGING SYSTEM

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