I'm not a historian of the AAW, but I will reflect on my rather short tenure (11 years). I think we have to view the AAW with an evolving sense of the craft and art, and the people who participate in it.
I started turning at about the same time as Andi Wolfe, Molly Winton, Art Liestman and Mike Jackofsky. All of these people have worked diligently to define, improve and refine their work with the intent to make a partial or total living doing art pieces that are partly or wholly turned on the lathe. I believe their motivations were not the money, however, but the thrill of accomplishment and the pride of success. In other words, they enjoy it. I purchased early pieces from some of these peopleand I really like to see how they have evolved over time.
Others, like Christian Burchard, Michael Holasuk and Michael Petersen have evolved from woodturning to wood art with little or no turning. I have a couple of their turned pieces too.
What I find interesting about all of these people and what they do is that they established their
roots in woodturning, and then explored from there. I think all of their stories and efforts are worth a woodturner's time to read, view and learn because they add a richness to what we do that would be absent without them.
I also think that the AAW needs to nourish these people too, because if we "cut them off", we risk cutting off links to our history, we lose their teaching and coaching, and we lose linkage to other craft media that can inspire us and improve our work.
I think if we try too hard to box what we do into a distinct craft technique, we risk losing a great deal of inspiration. I would rather have an AAW tent that is more inclusive than less.
Having said all that, I have to be honest to say that, initially, I was not happy with the change in Journal editors back a few years ago. The previous editor, Carl Voss, was a friend of mine and I liked what he was doing with the Journal. I also have to be honest and say that I like what the Journal has become and where it seems to be going. I give that credit to Betty Scarpino. It offers a lot to all levels or accomplishment, skill, and technique.
I also think, as someone else said on the forum here, that we need to view the journal as a piece of the woodturning experience in which members can participate. Included in the total AAW package is the Journal, AAW member services, local chapters, and regional/national symposia. If the AAW can focus on creating a multi-layer experience for our members, then each layer contributes in both overlapping and distinct ways providing the widest range of education, information and camaraderie. The AAW has to attempt to provide what members need AND it has to attempt to get members to give back with time and talent to enrich others' experiences.
Time for me to think about how to do just that. I've been "sitting on the sidelines" for a couple of years. Time for me to get back into the game