All 4-Hers are invited to participate in the Fashion Revue at UConn Expressive Arts Day.

Contact the person responsible for the county evaluations to set up your judging appointment (page 2). Participants will have the opportunity to attend one workshops and the Fashion Revue Dress Rehearsal/modeling Workshop.

All participants will model their outfits during the afternoon program. Participants may choose to enter the Fashion Revue in one of the following categories. No participant may enter both categories.

• Option 1: Incredible Creations - Sewn Garments In Incredible Creations each participant sews his or her article of clothing such as a skirt, shorts, top up to a complete outfit. Choose an outfit or garment that matches your skill level or is a challenge to you – it is your choice.
• Option 2: Smart Shopper Smart Shopper is a consumer education project and requires no sewing. The participant uses the Smart Shopper Workbook to assess their needs for clothing, accessories, and other fashion items and chooses to purchase ($35 budget) some ready-made clothing and accessories for their fashion revue project. The Smart Shopper Workbook must be completed and presented at the local judging.

Court of Honor Selection: Separate Courts of Honor for Incredible Creations and Smart Shopper Categories will be selected. In order to qualify, the following criteria must be met:

• Must be in the Senior division (ages 13-18 by Jan 1, 2025)
• Must receive a red ribbon on that outfit at the evaluation
• Those qualifying for the Courts of Honor selection will be notified. Qualifying individuals will be judged for Court of Honor selection on Expressive Arts Day and will be given a specific time for judging. A rosette ribbon and certificate will be presented to those selected to the Court of Honor in each category

EVALUATION: All evaluations of Smart Shopper and Incredible Creations outfits will occur prior to Expressive Arts Day and will be held in Litchfield, Tolland and Hartford Counties. Participants can go to any of the judging locations. Please indicate your choice for evaluation site on the registration form. If you cannot make one of the scheduled evaluations, you should contact the local coordinator to see what arrangements can be made.

Each participant will be evaluated by qualified and trained volunteer judges and will be awarded a blue, red or white ribbon. Once you have registered for your evaluation, someone will contact you to schedule the time of your evaluation. All participants need to bring their outfit and commentary form to the judging. Smart Shopper participants will need to bring their Smart Shopper Workbook to the evaluations; the judges will use the evaluation form found in your workbook.

Guidelines and Evaluation Information for 4-H Art Contest

Art entries will be judged during the event. Entries should be brought that day to the event (no later than 9:30 a.m.)

Guidelines

• Any items submitted must have been created by the 4-H member submitting the entry.
• The following information must be attached to the back of each entry: Name of 4-H member; age; address, including town/city; State & zip; county affiliation & phone number, category entered.
• There are two separate age divisions that may be entered. Entrants must submit their items within the division that applies to them – Junior ages 7-12 on January 1 of program year OR Senior ages 13-18 on January 1 of program year.
• Frames or mat boards on artwork are allowed.
• Artwork may be of any subject.
• An individual may submit a total of one item per category.
• Captions on artwork are optional.
• There are four categories for the art contest:
  • 1) Drawings
  • 2) Paintings
  • 3) Sculpture (no kits)
  • 4) LEGO Sculpture (no kits)
• Art entries must be submitted no later than 9:30 a.m. on the morning of 4-H Expressive Arts Day. Late items will be evaluated at the judge’s discretion.

Evaluation

Judges will be selected from qualified individuals in the field of graphic art or fine arts. The decision of the judges is final and not subject to change.

All artworks will be judged and receive appropriate ribbons using the Danish system. A “Best of Show” Award rosette will be given in both senior and junior divisions in each category as deemed appropriate by the judges. Artwork may be taken home following the awards ceremony or will be returned to the county 4-H office.

Photography entries and event registration must be submitted by February 24. They will be judges prior to the March 15th event.

• A digital copy as well as printed photograph must be submitted. Digital format must be at least 1MB in size (no screen shots or ‘right clicks’). Digital photos should be emailed to Maryann Fusco-Rollins at Tolland@uconn.edu
• Mail printed photo entries to: Maryann Fusco-Rollins Tolland County Extension 24 Hyde Ave., Vernon, CT 06066

Guidelines

• The following information must be attached (or written on) to the back of each entry: Name of 4- H member; age; address, including town/city; State & zip; county affiliation & phone number, category entered.
• There are two separate age divisions that may be entered. Entrants must submit their items within the division that applies to them – Junior ages 7-12 on January 1 of program year OR Senior ages 13-19 on January 1 of program year.
• NO frames or mat boards on any photos. Photos may be inserted in a page protector if desired.
• Photography may be of any subject.
• An individual may submit a total of one item per category.
• Captions on photos are optional.
• There are three categories for the Photography Contest:
  • Color
  • Black & White
  • My 4-H Project - Whether your project is your special bird, favorite cow, handmade shelf or dress, capture your work and submit for judging.
• Traditional prints, enlargements, digital photographs or photos printed by member are acceptable. Digital photos should be of a high resolution for best results in enlargements.
• Sizes accepted will be 4”x 6”, 5”x 7” or 8”x 10” only.
• All photos, including digital, must be printed out on photo paper.
• Include this information: Name of 4-H member; age; address, including town/city; State & zip; county affiliation & phone number, category entered, in the email along with your digital copy

Evaluation:

Judges will be selected from qualified individuals in the field of photography, graphic art, or fine arts. The decision of the judges is final and not subject to change.

All photos will be judged and receive appropriate ribbons using the Danish system. A “Best in Show” Award rosette will be given in both senior and junior divisions in each category as deemed appropriate by the judges. The UConn 4-H Program will use photos for promotional purposes throughout the year.

Judges will choose 13 photographs that will be included in the 2026 UConn 4-H Calendar.

UConn 4-H Expressive Arts Day Rules & Requirements Talent Show

1. The 4-H Talent Show is open to enrolled 4-H members in good standing; acts may be performed individually or as a group, with groups consisting only of 4-H members.
2. Participants must ensure they complete the required registration form for Expressive Arts Day, select that they are participating in Talent Show and list their talent by the stated deadline to be eligible to participate.  
3. Talent categories may include singing, musical instruments, dance, comedy, magic, acting, poetry, or other talents approved by event organizers. 
4. Performances must be family-friendly, appropriate for all audiences, and reflect 4-H values while following the 4-H Code of Conduct. 
5. Each performance is limited to a designated time frame (no more than 5 minutes); acts that exceed the time limit may be stopped, and this may affect evaluation. 
6. Participants must come fully prepared and provide their own props, costumes, instruments, and any required music, with quick and efficient set-up and clean-up. 
7. Recorded music must be edited in advance, free of inappropriate language, and submitted in the required format by the posted deadline. 
8. Costumes and attire must be appropriate and safe, and may not display alcohol, drug, tobacco, or political messages or branding. 
9. All acts must follow safety guidelines and may not include fire, weapons, live animals, or dangerous stunts; organizers reserve the right to stop any unsafe performance. 
10. Performances will be evaluated using the Danish judging system, which focuses on individual achievement rather than competition between participants. 
11. Participants will receive a colored ribbon based on overall performance and age-appropriate expectations (Blue = excellent, Red = good, White = satisfactory). 
12. Judging is based on preparation, skill, effort, creativity, and presentation, with feedback provided to encourage learning and personal growth. 

4-H'ers (ages 7-19) are invited to participate in the Fashion Revue at Connecticut Expressive Arts Day. This is your opportunity to participate with a garment that you make or one that you select.  Junior 4-H members (ages 7-12 as of January 1 of the current program year) may choose to make any garment including pants, skirt, pajamas, etc. or a complete outfit depending on their sewing skill level. They may also choose to take part in the Smart Shopper Consumer Education Project by selecting an outfit and completing the required notebook. Senior 4-H members (ages 13 and over as of January 1 of the current program year) who wish to be considered for the State 4-H Fashion Revue Court of Honor must complete one of two categories; a sewn project that is a complete outfit or a consumer education project.

The contest is open to all registered UConn 4-H members, ages 7-19. Membership in a 4-H photography project or expressive arts project is not required. There are two separate divisions for each contest that may be entered - Junior ages 7-12 or Senior ages 13-19. There are three categories for both the Photography and Art Contests. Individuals may submit one item per category for each contest. Photography entries are due to the State 4-H Office by the February deadline. Photography entries are displayed at the UConn 4-H Expressive Arts Day event. Art entries must be brought to the Expressive Arts Day event in March for judging no later than 9:30 a.m. Ribbons are distributed at UConn 4-H Expressive Arts Day.