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POP "Spheres" questions

pat miller

pat miller

Joined
Mar 12, 2014
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I am one of the folks that entered the "Spheres" competition and had both pieces rejected. I can live with that. There were some pretty bodacious pieces that made it in. Looking back I do think that it would have been nice to know how many total spots were available and how many were invited. I might have even liked to know WHO was invited. I also think that all that applied should be able to see soon after the juryiing the pieces that were accepted. Not sure if this is the place to post this but I kinda like to find some answers. Thanks
 
You could phone the AAW with your questions. It's very unlikely that anybody from the AAW will see your post. It's obvious that we will all be able to see which pieces were accepted, but not before the public unveiling. As far as not being accepted is concerned, some people may not want their names publicized. Having been invited is an honor in itself even if not making the final cut.
 
Pat I'm sure you saw the question brought up in the WOW forum. Yes it would be nice to see who was invited and even better all of the pieces submitted along with those accepted. I've applied to a fair number of juried shows and you never get to see that so I'm not faulting the AAW. I agree I'm not fond of the invited process but I wasn't there when it was decided to do that. Perhaps in the older days it was the best way to try and get collectors to come to the AAW symposiums. Having the collectors there has been very beneficial to a few new turners who had pieces chosen to be in the show. I've also seen the other side where some of the invited few entered pieces that really didn't fit the theme other than a very well worded statement. That happens but fortunately only a few times. For the most part the shows have been very good and some excellent work selected. Yes, sometimes in our minds some excellent work was rejected but that's typical of the jury process. Rarely would they pick all of the pieces I pick. Jurors are just like you and I and have opinions. Sure it's frustrating to get rejected. Been there done that. But I'm not sure seeing all the pieces accepted and rejected would make us feel any better.
 
As was mentioned on WoW today, everything is up on Facebook in the PoP AAW Group. I did a search in FB for AAW and found the group. I get AAW posts on FB but do not recall this one being made yesterday, maybe it just comes up for group members. Don't think I have seen a topic in recent times at least that ruffled so many feathers. There was some awesome work rejected. I would never have participated but think there should be more balance between the numbers of applicants and invitees. The upfront information could state that without having to dig for it.
 
[QUOTE= Bill Beohme, It's very unlikely that anybody from the AAW will see your post."

Bill, l would be deeply saddened if l thought the AAW board was not viewing these post on a very regular basis, to keep in touch with the pulse of the members. Perhaps that is why there is discontentment among some of the members.
 
It would be nice if the sort of input that would benefit board members could be gleaned by reading woodturning forums, but I have read very little (practically nothing) that would serve to help board members make policy decisions. The number of woodturners who actively participate on this or other forums is very small. There are roughly fifty times as many visitors (sometimes called lurkers) and most of them aren't forum members. The forum is open to all woodturners, not just AAW members. Based on my recent experience in approving new forum members, no more than about half are AAW members. The discussions that take place are mostly about tools, wood, and what I would characterize as learning and sharing in nature. It's very rare that I see a thread that discusses AAW policy.

I think that the best way to get the pulse of members is by face to face or phone or email, in that order. I know that many board members visit clubs to discuss current activities and plans and to solicit feedback. I believe that is a lot more effective than the relatively small number of woodturners who participate actively on this and other forums. It is also my observation that online political discussions never go well.
 
Bill, thank you for your reply. I see discussions like this one on other forums and always think surly the best place to post would be on the AAW forum. There were two outspoken turners who l emailed, so they could give their 2 cents worth on here. Both replied and said they could not reply as they where not members of the AAW. I will forward your reply.
As for myself l entered 3 which were rejected, it does not worry me that much, but l think the AAW could be a little clearer on how many spots open, and explain why are there invited members etc.
 
I think that I recall seeing the name of the person on WoW who was given the responsibility for this juried event. Contacting him personally and discussing the issues that you feel need addressing is far more effective than indirect communication and hoping that by chance the intended audience will see it. Who knows, the responsible person might have had his hands tied by the instruction given to him or maybe it's just that there is no way to please everybody so a good compromise is to displease everyone.

I think that I know what other forum you are talking about. Every forum has evolved over time to have its own unique "flavor" and you can't clone one forum to be like another.

Most of the time when someone starts a thread with a gripe such as, "I bought so and so lathe and it is just a hunk of junk", it is safe to say two things:
  • The person is wound up and blowing off steam
  • The problem isn't going to be solved by griping online
When asked if the person has contacted the manufacturer's product support the answer is usually that he hasn't.
 
Bill, l agree with you in principle, but..... if you remember just before the Atlanta Symposium it was noted that people coming in off the street were going to have to pay to visit the vendors area and l think the Instant Gallery. This caused such a storm here and on WoW that the AAW changed it stance and dropped the fee. A half a dozen phone calls to the board members would have not changed anything.

On a side note, when l clear out my trash, temporary files and cookies l often forget to sign back in on this site until l want to post something, l still come and read the post and look at the gallery, does this make me l lurker?
 
The online activity may have possibly played a part, but I think their story was that they never intended to charge visitors who wanted to visit the instant gallery or vendor area and that it must have been a misunderstanding. 🙄 So was it one of those "sky is falling" rumors or did the AAW really change their position and who knows the real story? And, who is willing to fess up?

Moderators get a few more gray hairs with each of that kind of thread.

On your side note, I refer you to Forrest Gump whose mama said something like, "a lurker is as a lurker does". Lurking is OK, but if we all lurked there wouldn't be much to lurk at, would there?

Why do you clear out cookies? Everybody knows that tossing chicken bones over your left shoulder works better for getting rid of evil spirits.
 
Bill,
It was their intention to charge, as one of the board members joined the fray and tried to defend the boards action.

You do a great job as a moderator, l don't think l could ever do your job.

Regarding the lurking, l was really asking although l am a member if l do not sign in does the statistics record me as a lurker?
 
Mike Gibson said:
Bill,
It was their intention to charge, as one of the board members joined the fray and tried to defend the boards action.

You do a great job as a moderator, l don't think l could ever do your job.
Click to expand...

2x on @Bill Boehme being a great moderator.

The trade show admission charge was indeed planned and was to be used to offset the cost of advertising the trade show in local newspapers etc.
The goal was to increase trade show traffic and make the vendors lots of money.
Seveleral venders had conversations with Phil McDonald the ED. The vendors argued the small fee would lower trade show traffic more the advertising would increase it.

Regarding the POP show. All pieces are auctioned off and POP uses the money for the various grants and awards they give to professional turners. I am not currently on the POP but I did sit in on their meeting last year. With the spheres show they are trying to walk a line between being inclusive and having a high dollar sales event. The invited artists gives a base expectation of auction sales. The juried part gives everyone a chance to participate in a juried event where the makers name carries no weight. Submissions to the sphere show was well beyond what was expected.

Whenever things are open to juried selection only their are two risks
1- you don't get enough quality sumbisssions
2 - you end up rejecting quality lots of high quality submissions.
 
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There's no need to log out and log in unless you just like to do it. Just log in and stay logged in. XenForo, the forum software, checks periodically to see who is online and what they're doing (reading a thread, viewing gallery, etc ... it can't tell me what you are thinking about).

I think that we award trophy points to lurkers, but if you don't log in I can't punch your lurker card. Actually robots (Bing, Baidu, Yahoo, Google, etc.) do more lurking than anybody else. I noticed that there has been a lot of angst recently on WoW about lurkers who just lurk and don't post. Of all the things in the world to worry about ... 🙄 ... also what to call lurkers. I lurk on WoW, therefore I must be one of whatever they decide to call me. Occasionally, I post ... and then Kelly calls me to talk about it. 🙂 I think that he does more than anybody else to keep WoW interesting in a unique sort of way.
 
I agree with those lauding Bill. He politely took me to task about one of my postings not following proper etiquette. And he was right to do so. I appreciate that he educated me in such a nice way.


Kind regards,
Rich
 
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