A comprehensive survey of our membership - current, former and future - is underway, and will run through January 31, 2010. Click here to learn more.
I’ve been taking a peek at some of the early membership survey statistics and written comments – and one of the things that pops up in this (as well as past AAW surveys) is a comment that reads something like this: “AAW caters to carvers and wood art more than woodturners.†It’s the artsy-fartsy versus conventional woodturning complaint.
As a way to test this comment, I went back and had a careful look at all the wood art posted on our new AAW online sales venue, located here. And I have to say that of the 298 items posted so far, less than 10% would fit a strict definition of a conventional woodturning – having been created predominantly on a lathe, with no burning, carving, sculptural features or other significant forms of embellishment.
My question is – why does this group of items not represent a fair cross-section of the AAW membership? In other words, why are those of you who turn un-embellished bowls, platters, boxes and the like not posting your work on this sales venue?
Some of the folks who raise the art versus craft AAW focus question point to the American Woodturner, annual AAW symposium instant galleries, special exhibits and our new online sales venue as evidence to support the assertion that the AAW has “lost its wayâ€. Personally, I don’t believe that. What I do believe is that those who are in the “business†of woodturning need recognition to make a living – so they will naturally assert themselves more than a casual hobbyist or weekend turner. And if that’s true, it’s incumbent on those casual turners to assert their points of view as well – with constructive comments and suggestions on what they want to see from the AAW, and how they want AAW to go forward. So, take the survey, post a note on this forum, publish photos of your work, write your favorite Board member, write to the AW editor, call the St Paul office – and make your constructive points of view heard. Can I get an Amen?
I’ve been taking a peek at some of the early membership survey statistics and written comments – and one of the things that pops up in this (as well as past AAW surveys) is a comment that reads something like this: “AAW caters to carvers and wood art more than woodturners.†It’s the artsy-fartsy versus conventional woodturning complaint.
As a way to test this comment, I went back and had a careful look at all the wood art posted on our new AAW online sales venue, located here. And I have to say that of the 298 items posted so far, less than 10% would fit a strict definition of a conventional woodturning – having been created predominantly on a lathe, with no burning, carving, sculptural features or other significant forms of embellishment.
My question is – why does this group of items not represent a fair cross-section of the AAW membership? In other words, why are those of you who turn un-embellished bowls, platters, boxes and the like not posting your work on this sales venue?
Some of the folks who raise the art versus craft AAW focus question point to the American Woodturner, annual AAW symposium instant galleries, special exhibits and our new online sales venue as evidence to support the assertion that the AAW has “lost its wayâ€. Personally, I don’t believe that. What I do believe is that those who are in the “business†of woodturning need recognition to make a living – so they will naturally assert themselves more than a casual hobbyist or weekend turner. And if that’s true, it’s incumbent on those casual turners to assert their points of view as well – with constructive comments and suggestions on what they want to see from the AAW, and how they want AAW to go forward. So, take the survey, post a note on this forum, publish photos of your work, write your favorite Board member, write to the AW editor, call the St Paul office – and make your constructive points of view heard. Can I get an Amen?
I’ve been taking a peek at some of the early membership survey statistics and written comments – and one of the things that pops up in this (as well as past AAW surveys) is a comment that reads something like this: “AAW caters to carvers and wood art more than woodturners.†It’s the artsy-fartsy versus conventional woodturning complaint.
As a way to test this comment, I went back and had a careful look at all the wood art posted on our new AAW online sales venue, located here. And I have to say that of the 298 items posted so far, less than 10% would fit a strict definition of a conventional woodturning – having been created predominantly on a lathe, with no burning, carving, sculptural features or other significant forms of embellishment.
My question is – why does this group of items not represent a fair cross-section of the AAW membership? In other words, why are those of you who turn un-embellished bowls, platters, boxes and the like not posting your work on this sales venue?
Some of the folks who raise the art versus craft AAW focus question point to the American Woodturner, annual AAW symposium instant galleries, special exhibits and our new online sales venue as evidence to support the assertion that the AAW has “lost its wayâ€. Personally, I don’t believe that. What I do believe is that those who are in the “business†of woodturning need recognition to make a living – so they will naturally assert themselves more than a casual hobbyist or weekend turner. And if that’s true, it’s incumbent on those casual turners to assert their points of view as well – with constructive comments and suggestions on what they want to see from the AAW, and how they want AAW to go forward. So, take the survey, post a note on this forum, publish photos of your work, write your favorite Board member, write to the AW editor, call the St Paul office – and make your constructive points of view heard. Can I get an Amen?
Odie - the survey was open for 3 months. I hope that you completed it. Members and non-members could fill it out.
Jerry
Odie:
When the survey was first announced in the Winter 2009 AW, it was stated that general results would be shared with the membership, once tabulated and reviewed. I assume there will be an AW or website report.
Jerry
A comprehensive survey of our membership - current, former and future - is underway, and will run through January 31, 2010.
Jake,
The survey committee met via conference call yesterday to sort out how best to publish the survey results. I should have more information for you soon. In the mean time, I can say that 1,103 people took the survey, of which 93.7% indicated that they are current AAW members.
ooc,
Right, I understand. If you'll log onto the AAW members area and have a look at the survey announcement, you'll see that I've dropped the pdf in favor of a password protect webpage view of the survey - you may have to refresh your browser to see these changes.
Ed, I had a problem with the password, do I have to create a new one? I put in the one I use to get into the members only area (no problem there) but it won't work.
I'm sure it's a simple solution that I'm just not seeing.
Thanks