About judging art and encouraging viewers to leave comments

Below is what i wrote first when i read about People's choice.

Umm, People's choice makes me sad.

I didn't know this was a contest.

I think leaving comments is great, but changing it into a contest feels weird and disclusive, not inclusive.  Just my opinion.

Lisa told me ya'll discussed it at the first gathering which i couldn't attend.  I feel that when folks get in the mood of judging, picking first place, there bodies and mind become rigid.  Art that might take longer to absorb gets losts or art that might not feel so strong gets thrown to the way side in the shadow of the choosen one.  Sort of like the middle child.

Lisa told me ya'll were interested in feedback from the viewers.  Here are a few ideas to encourage this to happen without them picking a winner.

1st- Place notebooks and pens by each art work with a message "Please leave your comments, your opinion matters to me."

2^nd- the pay for the raffle ticket is for each of the viewers to make comments on two notebooks.

3^rd- each of us take the time to comment on each of the notebooks.

4^th-Have a question answer session (Lisa would prefer to do this at the closing of the gallery in May)

I will bring a hummus and carrots and celery tray.  My sculpture is hung.  I feel like I just had a baby.

Cheers,

Jen