MGAL Member Profile & Website Tutorial
This website has a members directory linking to individual member profiles and forums. I have already made profiles for you, with your name,  website link, email address and artist bio that was submitted with your membership. Always login to the website, with your first name, a space, and last name (Example: Chelle Ellis), with the first letter being capitalized in your first and last name. If you are unsure how I have you listed, you can find yourself using the “Search Members” feature in the members directory of the website.
Login
To log in (if you are logged out) look for the orange box in the upper right corner of the website with the circle login icon.
  • User Name: Your name as described above
  • Password: Previously sent to you in email

After you have logged in, click any of the three icons to the left of your avatar (showing your friends, your messages and notifications) to visit your profile.

Click any of the drop down menu choices under your avatar to edit your page and information.

Within the drop down menu choices are settings that will change the look of the main page of your profile:

  • Profile Settings:  Complete or edit your profile information, and decide who can see that information from your page.
  • Account Settings:  Change your account email address or login password.
  • Widget Settings:  Widgets are the components that make up the main page of your profile.  Complete your available widgets to:
      1. Create an “About Me” section.
      2. Create a “Project” you are working on.
      3. Attach up to 3 photos for a “Project Slideshow”.
      4. Showcase a “Quote” that you like.
      5. Display a “Link” of interest.
      6. Embed a “Video” that you have made or wish to share.
      7. Link your “Flickr” account (flickr.com) to display up to 24 photos.
  • Change Avatar:  Change your avatar that follows you throughout the website.
  • Change Cover Image:  Make one of your paintings the background for your header.
  • Logout:  If you are using a public computer, you want to be sure and log out when you leave, to keep your account and information safe.
Your Profile Page
Changing Your Password

From the drop down menu in the upper right corner of the website, select:

  • Account Settings:  This is where you can change your account email address and/or your login password.
Changing Your Avatar & Header Cover Image
Within the drop down menu choices are settings that will change the look of the main page of your profile:
  • Change Avatar:  Change your avatar that follows you throughout the website.
  • Change Cover Image:  Make one of your paintings the background for your header.
Linking Your Social Media Accounts

Display links to your social media accounts within your profile and on your header.

 

  1. From the drop down menu, choose “Widget Settings”
  2. Click the third icon showing two arrows going in opposite directions.

 

Creating Your Galleries
You can upload images files of your works to the searchable Galleries of the website.  From your profile page, click on the “My Galleries” tab.
    1. From there, click on “Create a Gallery” (with the pink circle icon) to create a gallery.
    2. Enter at title for your gallery, but include your name before the title so when it shows up on the main page, viewers will know it’s your work.
    3. Enter a description, select a category, then click create.
    4. Drag and drop your images into the “Drag files here” box with the dotted outline (or click “Select files” then find them on your machine) then select.
    5. Your images are uploaded automatically, you are done.
Check My Galleries, Comments, Friend Requests & Forums
From your profile page, you can also see social activity or responses to your social activity, including:

 

  • My Galleries: All your galleries and any comments that have been made by friends.
  • Comments: A look back at the comments you have made.
  • Friends: Members you have friend request activity with: sent or received, and need approval.
  • Forums: Art Discussions in different topics that you can create or respond to,
    and all the activity relating to those forum posts.
How To Use Forums

From the top portion of any page on the website, you will see the link “Forums“, click it or go directly to: https://www.mgal.org/forums/

Forums are an area where users can post questions and answers to each other or simply engage in fun, online social activity. Remember to always be polite in your social activity in the forums, and avoid divisive subject matter so everyone will be sure to have a great experience on mgal.org and be engaged in art education.