Tips & Tricks from your International Arts & Humanities Jury

Twice a year, Gallery submission dates: August 15^th - September 15^th & January 15^th – February 15^th, the Arts and Humanities Jury members get a first look at the most beautiful and brilliant poetry, essays, pottery, quilts and scarves, mosaics, paintings, songs and photography. The amount of talent among members is beyond belief. If you have not had a chance to check out the current gallery on www.DKG.org, get over there NOW, to discover the talent for yourself! We encourage you to submit your art to the August submission coming soon! To do this, here are a few tips and tricks for successful submissions.

Tips to consider:

●    Rubrics: Access the rubrics found on the www.DKG.org website to see the varieties of arts available and utilize the rubrics to help you with the submission process. There are parameters for file sizes, so your art is just the right size. These rubrics are used by the four dedicated Art Jurors.

●    File Sizes: Ask a buddy member if you need support with file sizes, reach out to the Art Jury members, or even better, find the closest teenager with a phone, and your work will be sized correctly and uploaded immediately. Ensure that your message beautifully describes your piece.

●   Staging: When you are staging your art, do a double check that the photo(s) taken have little background distraction. This is kind of like when you take a family photo and others behind make silly faces of gestures. The Jury wants to see just your beautiful creations. For pottery and other 3D art, consider the light sources around the piece and ask yourself “Is the room light enhancing my work?”

●    Item Description and text count: As you enter your content to the jury each August and January, you will be able to describe your item. Share your artistry story in vivid detail that brings your piece to life. Like some literacy educators may say, what is the “Ten word story” of your piece?

○     Check to see if your work and description are religion free and political free.

●    Quilt Borders: If you are a fabric artist or quilter, our one tip is to take your photo of the quilt without a border behind it. If you have newer phones, use your edit tools to make sure just the quilt is the focus. It is so inspiring to see the details of your fabric designs.

Photography Tricks:

1. Have you heard of “Rule of Thirds”? This trick really helps you as a photographer to directly highlight your object. 
2. When snapping photos, consider taking your photo in landscape vs portrait mode to truly capture the focal point. (Landscape is horizontal while portrait is vertical).
3. Here is a diagram I created which shows where you can focus your camera using the rule of 3rds. If you are capturing photos of animals, people, landmarks, trees, sunsets, mountains, find your focal point and focus it on one of the 4 points.
4. Here is a YouTube video which provides examples of Rule of 3rds, as well as some other great photography tricks and tips. This video features a photographer who works with National Geographic.

Thank you for your great submissions and keep them coming!

Apply to be a DKG International Speaker!

Would you like to travel to other countries? Do you like to share ideas, research, or experiences with other educators? The DKGIEF International Speakers Fund (ISF) provides speakers for state organization conventions, conferences, or meetings. Take advantage of this leadership opportunity by applying to be a DKG International Speaker.

The time to apply is here! The ISF Speaker application is available from July 1 to September 15 under MyDKG on the Society website. (You must be logged in.) Then select Apply/Submit, click on the ISF Speaker application link, and you will be directed to the ISF Google Form.

Here are some important tips to remember when completing the ISF application:

·     Inform your chapter and state organization presidents of your plan to apply to be an ISF speaker.

·     Ask your state organization president to write a recommendation for your application.

·     Include the name of a professional reference who has heard you speak.

·     Indicate if you will present in person, virtually, or both.

·     Include dates you are unavailable to present.

·     Submit your application online via the ISF Google Form on or before the September 15 deadline.

o   Note: The application will ask you to submit a brief recording of you doing a presentation.

o   Hint: You can use programs such as Zoom or Screencastify to create your recording.

The DKGIEF International Speakers Fund, one of nine funds administered by the Foundation, is supported by member donations. Your contributions to the International Speakers Fund cover the speakers' international transportation expenses to face-to-face state organization events. Contributions can be made to the ISF Fund on the International Speakers Fund page, or go to the DKGIEF Donate page for various donation options.

Making connections with educators worldwide is one of the benefits of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. Take the plunge and apply to be a DKG International Speaker where you will experience cultural diversity and serve as a Society ambassador.

DKG International Convention: A Woman of Importance: An Instrument of Peace

 Join Us for the Combined Session of the DKG Forums:

 Canadian, European, Latin American, and United States

Potomac Ballroom

 Friday, July 12, 2024

 3:00-4:00 P.M.

Marion Blumenthal Lazan

DKG International Honorary Member

There are still women and men among us who bear witness to the unspeakable, terrible events of the years when the Nazi regime ruled Germany. While speaking of her family’s odyssey during the years of 1939 to 1948, Marion is a true instrument of peace as she continually advocates for tolerance and respect when she addresses her audience of students and adults all over the United States and Europe.

We are honored to present a virtual visit with Marion and her holocaust story. It is a message of perseverance, determination, faith, and hope.

Find more convention info here.