Questions Anyone Might Ask

Q: What is Athenaeum?
A: From our About Us page: “Athenaeum is a non-competitive Body of Work event, and it is your chance to display the breadth of your artistic abilities and receive valuable feedback and commentary from the Laurels of An Tir and other artisans in a relaxed, collaborative, and engaging environment…. All are welcome!!”. What this really means is that Athenaeum welcomes artists to display their work and receive feedback from members of the Order of the Laurel as well as from the general populace. The form this display takes is largely up to you as the person displaying. Mainly it’s important to emphasize that this is NOT a competition. There are no judges and there are no score sheets. This is a feedback-only event.
Q: What’s the difference between an Exhibitor and a Participant? Do I need to sign up to participate?
A: Great question! An Exhibitor is someone who wants to display their work on an exhibit page. A Participant is someone who wants to participate in one-on-one conferences with Exhibitors. This could be a member of the Laurel’s Council, a member of the populace, or even another Exhibitor. Both Exhibitors and Participants need to register — mainly so we have your contact information and connection preferences for scheduling. There will be other ways to take part in the event without needing to sign up, including commenting on exhibits and Zoom social experiences on June 26 & 27.
Q: Will this event replace regular “in person” Athenaeum?
A: No. this is the second virtual event serving as an auxiliary offering, a way of facilitating creative energy and interaction while we are still required to practice social distancing for public health and safety.
Q:I don’t want to exhibit this year, but I would like to visit the site and view the exhibits. Do I have to do anything?
A: If you want to simply view content, you do not need to do anything – just visit the exhibits when they go live! If you want to schedule appointments with the exhibitors, you’ll need to register as a Participant on the site, or if you had an account last year, log in with that login and password. Also, you can join us in one of the many social experiences that will be happening throughout the day on June 26 and 27.
Q: Do I need to live in An Tir to participate?
A: You do not need to live in An Tir to participate as an exhibitor. However, if numbers get too large we reserve the right to limit enrollment.
Q: Is there a cost to participate in the event?
A: No.
Q: I’m not sure how to connect to a meeting with Zoom.
A: Don’t worry! We have recorded tutorials designed to help with exactly this kind of question. We may also have a couple of optional Zoom meetings before the online event June 26 & 27 to help troubleshoot connection/camera/microphone issues. Look for more information about that schedule coming soon!
Q: Can I use XYZ technology to connect instead of Zoom?
A: No. We deliberately chose Zoom as a video conferencing technology in order to simplify the event. If you aren’t able to connect through Zoom, you can still attend one-on-one meetings or social rooms via phone.

Questions Exhibitors Might Ask

Q: Can anyone sign up to be an Exhibitor?
A: Anyone is welcome to be an Exhibitor, until this year’s event runs out of spaces (and we will maintain a waiting list, too). This year the event is open to artists and artisans including members of the Laurels Council. After you register, you will receive access to an exhibit space in the form of one “page” on the website. You can consider your page as your “table” on which you can arrange one project or several projects using text, images with captions, references, and if desired links to video (which need to be hosted on YouTube or a similar platform). It’s up to you.
Q: I’ve never done virtual Athenaeum before but I want to exhibit something. Where do I start?
A: On this Athenaeum website navigation, click Registration and select Exhibitor Registration. Fill that out and click the Register button. You’ll receive an email with next steps. Start thinking about what you want to exhibit, and we’ll provide plenty of training opportunities and technical help.
Q: Help! I need help creating my Exhibit page! How do I use these tools? I am not a technical person! Maybe this event isn’t for me.
A: We do NOT want technology to be a barrier to entry for this event. Although we have tried to make the process of creating your Exhibit page as easy as possible, “easy” means different things to different people. Check this page about tutorial information! These tutorials were made for virtual Athenaeum 2020 and refer to that event date, but the technical information remains current. Use the Exhibitor’s Feedback form (once you get logged in) or the Contact Us form to reach out for help.
Q: Can I display material I’ve displayed before?
A: Yes, provided it complies with our stated guidelines.
Q: Are there restrictions on what I can display?
A: Yes. Please see the article “What Shouldn’t I Display Online at Road to Athenaeum” for details.
Q: I exhibited on the Road to Athenaeum last year, and want to exhibit again this year. Do I have to do anything?
A: Yes, we need to you sign up to exhibit on this year’s site. Log in on the site with the same user ID and password you set up last year. You will get to a page with a button to click and fill out a form to register for Athenaeum 2021! You’ll receive an email with next steps. As always, we’ll provide plenty of training opportunities and technical help. Even if you want to present the same information, we ask that you create a new page for the 2021 site. Use the opportunity to review and refresh your content and images, validate your links, and update your bibliography.
Q: Will I be able to record my one-on-one chats?
A: No. Recording will be not be available as it would add another layer of complexity to the event. However, as with the “in person” Athenaeum, you are very welcome to take notes.
Q: As an Exhibitor, do I need to register again as a Participant to request one-on-one conferences with other Exhibitors?
A: No. You will be able to sign up for a conference with any Exhibitor. We encourage it!
Q: Can I use projects I display at Athenaeum to enter local, Principality, or Kingdom competitions?
A: Since Athenaeum is not a competition and those who display here are merely receiving feedback on their entries, it is likely you will be able to enter your item in a competition later. We can’t speak for all competitions, however, so you should check the rules before you enter.

Questions Laurels Might Ask

Q: How can I sign up to speak to an Exhibitor?
A: Once the Exhibit pages are published, there will be a form available to schedule one-on-one chats. All conferences will take place between 9 AM and 5 PM (Pacific time) on June 26 or June 27. You must register as a Participant on the site in order to see the scheduling tools. There will also be a “day of event” opportunity to schedule a chat.
Q: Can Laurels Display at this event?
A: Yes! You will need to sign up as an Exhibitor on this year’s site. As an Exhibitor, you will have access to sign up to speak one-on-one with other Exhibitors in this online event.
Q: I was a Laurel Participant in Athenaeum last year, and this year I’d like to exhibit. What do I do?
A: We need to you sign up as an Exhibitor on this year’s site. Log into the site with the same user ID and password you set up last year, and then click the button to sign up for Athenaeum 2021 as an Exhibitor. You’ll receive an email with next steps. We’re happy to support you with training opportunities and technical help.