Most of the artisans I truly admire are well-grounded in several arts even if they choose to focus on one or two. I think the better of them for it.

Despite the sense of pressure felt by some, I don't think competitions are mandatory for anyone -- what is far more important is that they are Making (or Doing) Cool Stuff and letting it be seen, however they do that. I think I've entered maybe three or four competitions in 15 years.