The consensus seems to be that there's room for all methods and tools. Just as in cooking, some prefer to cook from scratch, others just love using those microwaves.
I can certainly admire the sensational quilting done some LAs, but I also love hand quilting. I do agree that in any competition, there should be separate categories based on techniques.
Some people follow a pattern exactly, including fabric choices. And others see a pattern, it sparks an idea and they are imagnative enough to create their own version.
That said,(and no insult meant to those who do art quilts), maybe I just don't get it when it comes to some art quilts. but I'd be happy to be enlightened on that topic