[Enzie Shahmiri]

Dear Richard,

When that knowledge and capability is substantiated, where's the snobbery in defending it?

As I said it is simply an impression I got how some are viewing the forum, while reading the posts. I am not saying that the forum is snobbish and I don't argue with defending knowledge and capability. I am only pointing out that there seems to be some discontent and 'am inviting old and new forum members to think of ways to improve and increase participation.

On the subject of academics, I wish you wouldn't pull out that old chestnut about the monolithic rigidity of the 19th century academies. Historically, they certainly didn't evaporate like the Wicked Witch when the "Valiant Impressionists" threw a bucket of water on 'em with their first "Salon de Refusees".

Ok, point taken! I never said they evaporated either, but they did loose members.

Either there are standards, or there are none, and there is no meritocracy quite like the art field. "Tolerance" via a relativist approach to standards reduces everything to subjectivity, and eventually there are no standards.

Here I reserve the right to partially disagree. You are right insofar that there need to be standards. The mere fact that people are already being juried in means that they have to pass a certain standard.

But the forum, by the mere definition of the word itself, needs to be a place where people with common interests can communicate and exchange ideas freely. Tolerance in how we deal with each other and what it is we expect from one another is what needs to be looked at. What does it say about the forum, when members are complaining that they feel ignored, harshly chastised or in some rare cases publicly attacked? What does it say when contributing members feel ignored and taken advantage of? It points to a lack of proper communication between membership.

I have learned tremendously through what other people have shared here and through hard work and initiative of my own have made great progress as an artist. Does this mean I am done learning?! By no means! Does it mean I will digress at times? Certainly! Will I listen to every advise given and follow it blindly? Certainly not! Do I expect everyone who I give advise to to follow it as well. Of course not.

In a forum setting you offer what you have to give for those who are interested and might benefit and you take away what you need . As an avid believer that no matter how accomplished one is, there are always things that can be learned, I'll be visiting this forum in my 90"s, provided it's still here.

My goal was to attract attention to an occurrence and solicit participation in finding solutions. For what it's worth, I will try to think of ways to contribute more and hope that my feeble attempts will benefit someone out there.

Cynthia, I am not surprised to hear that!