CREATIVE DISPLAY COMPETITION

Tradition in Transition

We invite your participation!

Exciting alternatives to traditional viewing stone displays are appearing globally. The best of these contemporary displays challenge our imaginations and jolt our expectations. Examples of these new approaches to displaying stones can be seen in Contemporary Viewing Stone Display by Richard Turner, Thomas S. Elias, and Paul A. Harris (VSANA 2020). The book showcases innovative approaches from around the world that expand the possibilities of viewing stone presentation. We invite you to share your own creative interpretation of contemporary viewing stone display.

Submit up to three original contemporary viewing stone displays never before published.

For each entry, please include:
• One high-resolution photograph (300 ppi or higher).
• A paragraph explaining the concept, inspiration, or intended meaning of the display.

Deadline:
Entries must be received by midnight on October 30, 2026. Submit your entries using the form below.

Judging:
A panel of judges will evaluate all submissions and select five outstanding entries.

Displays will be evaluated on their formal qualities and the degree to which they communicate their intended meaning. Richard Turner, lead author of Contemporary Viewing Stone Display will consider the winning entries in the context of an essay about recent developments in viewing stone display that will be illustrated with images of the displays and published on the VSANA website.  

Prize:
Each of the five selected participants will receive an autographed copy of Contemporary Viewing Stone Display.

What Is a Contemporary Viewing Stone Display?
Each display should feature a stone as its primary subject, accompanied by one or more complementary elements thoughtfully arranged to communicate an idea, mood, place, season, or story. Contemporary displays are not limited to traditional carved wooden bases (daiza) or shallow ceramic or metal trays (suiban), but may incorporate a wide variety of materials, objects, andpresentation styles.

To see examples of contemporary stone displays, visit the Contemporary Gallery in this website.