This is a discussion on avatars within the Help / Status forums, part of the Help category; A lot of the avatars have now been reinstalled.
They can be accessed by clicking your "User CP" (top left) ...
They can be accessed by clicking your "User CP" (top left) and then clicking "Edit Avatar". There is a pull-down menu with the various groups of available avatars.
Also, personal (unique etc) avatars can be used, as described just below the images.
Out of the gloom a voice spake unto me. 'Smile and be happy, Things could get worse."
So I smiled and was happy, and behold... Things did get worse.