Visitors' poll

I have read your forum off and on for several years. I've wanted to join but honestly, I have been intimidated by your statement on the first page not to register if you don't intend to post because the jury is all professional working artists who don't want to waste their time. I don't know if that is exactly how it is worded, but it's what I understood it to say. I work full time as an architectural designer (B.Arch) and also run a pump manufacturing business my late husband left me. I was born an artist, and I paint as I can. Although I paint more than I ever did, I still don't paint enough to jump into doing portrait commissions, although I would love to do that. Therefore, I have very few portraits to show for the jury application process or posting. This is such a good forum filled with so much helpful information and encouragement. I will continue reading as long as allowed, and some day when I have enough inventory to show, I will apply for membership.

Vernita Bridges Hoyt
Texas

[Steven Sweeney]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have been intimidated by your statement on the first page not to register if you don't intend to post because the jury is all professional working artists who don't want to waste their time.

I don't speak for the administrators, but I do know that there's no reference anywhere to their wasting their time. Wasting time isn't the issue. I think it's just disappointing to go through the process with an applicant and then never hear from him or her again. This is especially discouraging when the new member's work is very good, and his or her participation would be extremely valuable.

The application process is a lot more involved than is the case with the typical online Forum (where you provide your email address), and in fact each application calls for input from quite a number of people, all professional artists and all very gladly volunteering time to this Forum, some for many years, as well to many other causes and concerns. Most of them also lead workshops and head up demonstrations and, perhaps, get to Mexico once in while when it's cold up here on this end of the continent.

Goodness, the worst that can happen is that some very kind-hearted people will tell you that they don't believe that you're quite ready. Believe me, that's a gift, not a put-down.

Steven,
Thanks for your reply. Perhaps in a couple or three months, I will feel ready to go for the application. It would be an honor to be accepted into this forum. One can always hope.
Vernita

[Cynthia Daniel]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I have been intimidated by your statement on the first page not to register if you don't intend to post because the jury is all professional working artists who don't want to waste their time. I don't know if that is exactly how it is worded, but it's what I understood it to say.

Vernita,

Thanks for your comments. Perhaps some real statistics and data will help.

Total Juried Members - 278

Posted 0 times - 82
Posted 1 time - 99
Posted 2 times - 16
Posted 3 times - 7

I think it's pretty astounding that out of 278 juried members, 82 have never posted. There are a few of the low posters that are understandable - an art school, for example, that only joined to post workshops, which is fine.

Of the 82 who never posted, a great number of them join and never visit again or visit for a day or two and never return.

No one expects a member to become an addict (some do ), or even a devotee - simply to participate at least once in a while. But, I find it puzzling that so many are juried, yet never or almost never post - even with explaining away a percent whose lives suddenly changed due to sudden success or unhappy diaster or tragedy, the percent is still high.

Nothing is automatic about the jury process. Once a person submits into a private area on the Forum, these are the steps:

1. I access the web page and click on their post.
2. I move their post to the Board private viewing area.
3. I post "new" so the Board knows there is someone new to view.
4. I wait and read each response as the Board members post their response.
5. I sign into the administrative area of the Forum with a password.
6. I select "yes" or "no" for approval or not.

Cynthia,
Thanks for the info. That does explain it better. I've belonged to a couple of other forums, and unfortunately those were about the statistics for posters vs. members there also. Maybe it's the old 80/20 rule. I lean more toward the "addict" side. Yikes! I will be back.
Vernita

Originally Posted by Cynthia Daniel

Vernita,

Thanks for your comments. Perhaps some real statistics and data will help.

Total Juried Members - 278

Posted 0 times - 82
Posted 1 time - 99
Posted 2 times - 16
Posted 3 times - 7

I think it's pretty astounding that out of 278 juried members, 82 have never posted. There are a few of the low posters that are understandable - an art school, for example, that only joined to post workshops, which is fine.

Of the 82 who never posted, a great number of them join and never visit again or visit for a day or two and never return.

No one expects a member to become an addict (some do ), or even a devotee - simply to participate at least once in a while. But, I find it puzzling that so many are juried, yet never or almost never post - even with explaining away a percent whose lives suddenly changed due to sudden success or unhappy diaster or tragedy, the percent is still high.

Nothing is automatic about the jury process. Once a person submits into a private area on the Forum, these are the steps:

1. I access the web page and click on their post.
2. I move their post to the Board private viewing area.
3. I post "new" so the Board knows there is someone new to view.
4. I wait and read each response as the Board members post their response.
5. I sign into the administrative area of the Forum with a password.
6. I select "yes" or "no" for approval or not.

Dear Cynthia,

Thanks so very much for explaining the process! I, for one, am a big fan of this forum and hope to participate at some later point. It's a bit strange that some juried members have never posted, as you note. May we add an additional observation? It seems to us that some sections on the forum have very active (or proactive) moderators, who post a lot or start discussions, while other sections seem to have very little activity. Is this something that could be improved on, while keeping in mind, of course, that everyon'e time is always at a premium and that people are very busy?