I have had several photos elevated to the permanent collections, but they do not appear in the respective categories within the Main Galleries. Several were visible for a few days, then disappeared. This has occurred with the older procedures as well as with the Art Council selection procedure. It is both confusing and disconcerting. Thus, my question: How permanent is Permanent? Rephrased: What is the real process for work being placed in the main galleries?

Thad, I truly do not understand what is going on. I have received notification on three pictures I have nominated that they had, in deed, been promoted to the perms. I checked to make sure, and they were there. However, since then, two of the three have been pulled. So, I do not understand, what is this process we are all going through? What does the AC really mean? I do not like to paricipate in a process which later, and clearly, becomes a non-process.

@ Thad: Permanent, in terms of galleries here on the site was a bit of a misnomer. I think 'Main' is far more accurate. Images here on the site all begin as 'new images'. Some are promoted, if you will, to the 'Main' (formerly 'Permanent') galleries. The remainder are archived, meaning they are still viewable, but only by visiting the individual artist's collection.

What many newer members don't know, is that archiving wasn't always the process a 'non-perm' image followed. When images weren't deemed acceptable for the site, it's my understanding that they were deleted. See? Could always be worse. ;-)

@ John: What appears to be happening with images that are permed, and then 'un-permed', is in all likelihood, a mod, or perhaps more than one, deciding that an image might've gotten a nod that was well intended, but a bit too generous. I believe elsewhere in the forums, both Sam and Pierre have both said as much; there are far too many images being permed that don't quite make it.

I know that this is going to ruffle some feathers, but I assure you there's no malice in my words. The simple truth is that some people don't seem to be applying stringent enough standards when suggesting an image for the 'main' galleries, or voting them in when given the chance.

I guess one day people will look back and write this off as growing pains. Granted, it might not be so easy to do in the middle of it's occurrence.

As taken from the front page, first article *caedes statement:

"You may have noticed that the "Art Council" button is back on some images. We are continuing the testing of the art council nomination process for images to be included in the Main Galleries (on the left-hand column)."

The Art Council is still being tested....patience is the absolute key right now for all of us! :=)

Thanks everybody!!!!

I appreciate the feedback to my question, as well as the time volunteered by those who keep the site running. Yet, yes, feathers have been ruffled. What I am troubled by is that a work can be promoted to the main (nee: permanent) gallery, then removed by one of the moderators. Disconcerting if it occurs once, it is extremely disheartening and discouraging when this happens a number of times, as it has to me. It is my opinion that if a work is placed in the main gallery by the prescribed process, then there it should remain. Unless there is an internal process at the upper echelons of this site of which I am not aware, it appears that any one moderator can remove a work. As art is subjective, that one person has this level of control is troubling to me.

It was my understanding that one of the reasons for the Art Council formation was to distribute the decision making (as well as easing the work load on the moderators). It is understandable that there were too many works being voted into the main gallery under the original format of AC. The current process should reduce that. Yet, as with VB, individuals on the Art Council will use varied criteria in determining their votes of aye or may for a work. Dare I say, there may be varied criteria among moderators also? Some of us on AC check the works of the main gallery in the category of the work being recommended prior to voting, a time consuming process, taking our role seriously. This has been done because it was understood that the Council vote was the determining factor for a work to make it into the main gallery. Now, it appears that a moderator can overrule, in effect relegating the AC to a recommending group. If that is the case, then AC members should be clear that this is their role.

In summary, I ask for clarification regarding the role of the AC - deciding group or recommendation panel. As well, if moderators can remove works from the main gallery, then notification to artists of moving a work to the main gallery needs to be modified to a point in time when the work is indeed there. Thanks for your time and consideration.

I think Mimi has given the answer above. The AC is in testing. It is not yet perfect, and it needs to be tweaked by the mods, or Caedes, for the benefit of the site. We, the members, cannot assume to be perfect arbiters of taste, and as is constantly being shown, even in other threads of this discussion forum by LynEve.

Many months ago, before the AC was even conceived, I had a picture put into the main gallery, only to be removed a couple of months later, all by the Mods. Accept that this will happen, and look at the images in question with a very critical eye and work out why this has happened. It is a way to learn and grow.