As many quilters have heard, the National Quilting Association (NQA) will be dissolved by year end. The non-profit was the only organization with a certification program for quilt judges. As an NQA Certified Judge I’m happy to say we are carrying on and have formed a new organization titled the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). New judging candidates will be welcomed into the NACQJ in 2016 and are encouraged to contact any board member listed on our website for information. Since the NACQJ will not be hosting an annual show, we will be working with various shows around the United States. The first show will be in Mesa at the Arizona Quilt Show in March 2016. In 2017 the Minnesota Quilt Guild in Duluth will be our host.
In addition, the Quilt Judging Seminar Instructors have set up a website and Facebook page. Please check out our website if you are interested in attending a judging course. You may also visit our Facebook page to find scheduled seminars. I am teaching the two-day seminar April 8 – 9, 2016 at the Clark County Quilters Show in Vancouver, Washington as noted on my schedule. Please contact me if you are interested.
Is there a list of Certified Quilt Judges other than the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges?
Nancy, the NACQJ is the only organization with a process to certify judges. When I began judging, I attended a course given by the Northern California Quilt Council. The group made it very clear, they were not certifying us, and we were not so say we were certified. However, I have actually seen some people who attended state they are “certified” after attending the course. There is nothing we or anyone can do about that. It is up to organizations that hire judges determine whether they are certified.