Post #167906 by beachin on Fri, Jun 24, 2005 5:26 PM

I love the idea of more organization, but I have a concern. I'm in the minority here, but I worry that we would miss out on each other's art and the chance for further inspiration if we're separated. I get my art fix on TC now, and I have been so impressed with the art education I've received from artists of other media. I don't think if I had just started posting to other ceramicists my knowledge of art of all forms would have grown as much as it has.

Furthermore, I often use other's art to jump-start my own. For example, Rodeo has been doing a carving based on Sam Gambino's work. Where would that fit in, and if we were segragated, would that have been encouraged?

Don't get me wrong. There's a majority of carvers out there, and then the rest of us. Will it become a clique of carvers, because that would be horrible. I love the camaradie of the group as it is now. It's a feeling of "we're all in this together, so let's just support each other." If we were broken down, would the minorities such as myself hear from the greats such as Benzart and Raffertiki?

I'm always playing devil's advocate, but it's just something I see and I'd be interested to know if that could be addressed.

All of that said, I'm a huge fan of Tiki Central and the excellent way that it is run. Whatever decisions are made about this forum are alright with me. My hat's always off to Hanford and the amazing job he does with this site.