Would you be interested if I started a Facebook group for for us if/when this forum goes down?

[PaintBoss]

Hi everybody.
Well, I don’t think I have the health or the finances to take over this site. I dearly wish I could. I would be willing to learn and help out if others wanted to go in on it.But I think it’d be too much for me alone. I’m very sad to see it go, but we cannot chain Hannah and Ayin to their computers either!
I was wondering if people would be interested if I made a Facebook group for us to share our work and communicate, and stay in touch most importantly. Many of us have made many friends here over the years. And many of us came here together from a previous forum. Some of my friends here have been suggesting it to me privately.
Now I know not everyone is comfortable with Facebook(Meta). I would hope that you might consider giving it a chance. It is the easiest to set up. But I’m also open to other suggestions for other apps where we could get together. I would really like it if it offered a chance to communicate more than just showing a picture and people giving a like and zipping by. That quick scroll environment that is so prevalent now.I know a lot of us share a lot about our lives and also how we do our art on this forum, and it makes it a wonderful community. I just don’t know much about all the apps out there. It has to be free. If people know or use other apps that they think would be more suitable and fit this criteria please let me know. People might like that there’s more privacy there. I will check it out. Mainly I just want to keep in touch with my friends here!
And in case people didn’t see the announcement, pls look at the thread called “Do you love Creativespark?”.
I will also repeat here that if any of my friends want to get my email so we can keep in touch,please message me. But hopefully we’ll have something we can at least go to even if it is a Facebook group. Your thoughts are welcome.

 

[Triduana]

I would definitely be interested. This is the only art forum that I use nowadays, it would be awful to lose touch with everyone!

I know some people won't use FB, but I don't think there will be a solution that fits everyone. I've been joining a few more FB art groups recently, they aren't the same as a forum (I'm interested in discussion, not 'likes'). I don't know what other platforms are like.

It would be wonderful if someone can take over the running of Creative Spark. Sadly I wouldn't know where to begin.

 

[snoball]

PB, I use facebook and when I post a painting, I usually get many comments as well as "likes". I have sold many works and received many commissions through facebook. Many times I will receive a commission from someone who has seen another commission and the chain goes on.

 

[PaintBoss]

That’s fabulous Sno!

 

[Grapes]

Christine, I'm in
Would be good to have a group.

 

[Bartc]

I'm in.

 

[PaintBoss]

Yay! Wonderful.

 

[Terri]

That sounds like a very nice alternative. Let's give this a bit of time to see if anything that may be percolating in the background comes to fruition.

It ain't over yet...

 

[PaintBoss]

That sounds hopeful! Sounds like a good idea. As long as we get a heads up so if their site goes down, I have time to give people the name of the Facebook group.

 

[Donna T]

Ooo, Teri does sound hopeful and I’m trying not to think the worst. I’d be interested in any group that allows us to connect and continue.

 

[PaintBoss]

Awesome. I was just trying to gauge interest in a back up plan and any suggestions where to. And if we have to make the leap, we know where to jump to stick together.

 

[stlukesguild]

I would be interested even though a lot of my paintings aren’t Facebook friendly… but then again, Peter Paul Rubens was the most censored artist on Facebook to the point that the Belgian Ministry of Culture produced this:

 

[PaintBoss]

That’s hilarious. But it does make a point doesn’t it?
I love your stuff. Glad to know you would stick with us if we have to go elsewhere. The community wouldn’t be the same without you!

 

[bethany]

Yes please- I would definitely join a facebook group!

 

[Joy]

Christine, thank you for the gracious invitation.I am not on FB, and have enough online "stuff" to do without joining them or IG. I am so very glad for any site that will host us, and wish everyone the best. To me, it is not a "contest" on which sites are "best", just whatever suits one's needs.

Also, I sent you a DM a few days ago with some contact and other info.

 

[Jade]

Thank you Christine. I'm in the same camp as Joy with regards to FB but appreciate the invitation. I agree, Joy. I'm pleased we have options.

 

[Marksmomagain]

I have never had a FB account. However I do read FB by using a relative's account. There are several groups I would love to be able to access, however they are all 'private', meaning I have to sign up for them, which I won't do w their acct, and I'm not interested in having my own account. I hope any group formed is 'public'.

 

[Grapes]

I have never had a FB account. However I do read FB by using a relative's account. and I'm not interested in having my own account. I hope any group formed is 'public'.

Do you write/post to a public group from your relative's account? Or are you only reading and observing?

 

[PaintBoss]

Yes, if you are just looking and reading, it would be fine for it to be public with your friend’s account. But if you wanted to post or comment, you should have your own account. I would prefer the group to be private. I could let people in easily but you agree to follow basic rules. This helps reduce trouble floating by looking for a place to land. Being private, it is easier to throw out problematic people upsetting or spamming the group. But that would require that you have your own identity. Regarding that, I know a lot of people don’t want to do anything with Facebook, so in that case that would not be for you. But if you did, you can have one FB profile in your name, you can also make another profile to use in certain groups. This way you don’t have to use your real name if you want some anonymity. Facebook would still trace that back to you if you were to become a problem. But otherwise, it would be like private.

 

[Grapes]

Private much better ...