Northwest Stone Sculptors Association

If any of our members are checking out the Seattle Art Fair, please make sure to stop by Shift Gallery's booth to check out Ken Barnes work on display!

Sharing this great article I saw today: Congratulations to Maryjo Anderson and Christopher Belluschi - we hope people will visit to see your work on the Studio Tour!

(and thanks for the shout out to Northwest Stone Sculptors Association!)

Sculptors M.J. Anderson and Christopher Belluschi prepare for Hoffman Center for the Arts Artist Studio Tour Belluschi found a mentor in Anderson, an acclaimed artist who divides her time between Carrara, Italy, and Nehalem on the Oregon Coast. The two are among more than a dozen artists participating in the July 20 tour.

NWSSA Outdoor Stone Sculpture Show in Port Orchard - https://mailchi.mp/a344cecdbac4/july15pilgrimfirssculptureshow-9358817 FREE Event - Saturday, July 13th 12-4 pm Pilgrim Firs Camp 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard, WA 98367

Bronzestone Bases is here at our Symposium and our crew is at work assembling pedestals in anticipation of our sculpture show on Saturday!!

We are so fortunate and grateful to have Stephanie Robison join us this year for our 36th Annual Stone Carving Symposium in Port Orchard. We appreciate her instruction, along with Oliver Harwood in the "Power Palace" Intermediate tent, where they are introducing power tools and techniques to continue our attendees knowledge base in sculpture skills!

Lee Gass demonstrates using parallel lasers on a sculpture to see the form. This method helps identify high and low points or flat spots where a form might need a little reshaping. (Sculpture by in Portoro marble).

NWSSA’s Annual International Stone Carving Symposium begins with a mandatory safety meeting. and lead the talk, with recommendations on keeping you and your neighboring artists safe for the week!

We are very excited to announce John Strohbehn as the first recipient of the Karen Ryer Scholarship to attend our Washington State Stone Carving Symposium!

We hope you'll take the opportunity to check out his website and enjoy his work!
https://www.johnstrohbehn.com/

Outdoor Stone Sculpture Show Saturday, July 13th from 12-4 pm Visit with over 90 artists and see their work on display and for sale! 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard, Wa

Meet Deborah Wilson, Jade Carving Instructor at our Annual Stone Carving Symposium. We are delighted to welcome her back.
She shares her vast knowledge of jade carving with us through several articles on our new website: https://carvestone.org/category/carve/tools/jade-gemstone-tools/

What is a "Dojo"?

According to NWSSA's Tamara Buchanan, it is a place for “Immersive learning”.
At each NWSSA International Symposium our organization creates an area where persons who have never carved, or haven’t carved for a long time, have an opportunity to create a stone sculpture.
The learning often involves stone, or tools, or learning about yourself…it’s all up to you. As the week progresses, the term The Dojo is embraced by many. Our Dojo is a place of great learning, much patience, and a good share of happiness.

https://carvestone.org/the-dojo/

This youth soapstone carving event Kubota Garden is such a fun experience for kids to be introduced to an artform they can then bring home to show off something they have created at the end of they day in a beautiful setting!

This summer, we're excited to bring back the "Intermediate Power Tools” Tent during our Washington State International Stone Carving Symposium with Oliver Harwood and Stephanie Robison

This workshop is for those who are somewhat experienced with stone carving and would like to expand their toolset to include air hammers, angle grinders, and die grinders. Participants can choose to work in the communal tent or at their own workspaces. We provide access to our extensive tool library and dedicated instruction from Oliver and Stephanie, both of whom have taught stone carving and sculpture for many years and are accomplished artists.

Washington State Symposium July 6-14, Port Orchard, WA You can register online at: https://carvestone.org/2024-washington-symposium/

Images: "Temporal Shift" by Oliver Harwood and "Better Off Not Knowing" by Stephanie Robison

As our PNW weather promises to get nicer, here are a few spaces to see a variety of sculpture outdoors... you may even spot a Northwest Stone Sculptors Association member's pieces in these collections!

Learn a little more about AMY BRIER, one of our Guest Artists for our 36th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium at Pilgrim Firs Camp, Port Orchard, WA

Pareidolia: An Exploration in Creativity with Amy Brier
Amy will lead a carving workshop during NWSSA's Symposium that explores the nature of creativity.. Bring a stone that you don't have a plan for already, start carving, and either individually or collectively discover the sculpture! Amy Brier is the founder and director of the Indiana Limestone Symposium and is known for her creative representational sculptures.

Registration is Open for our week-long Stone Carving Symposium in Port Orchard, Washington July 6-14th

Photo: "Fall Pavilian" by Amy Brier

Celebrating with an announcement! Karen Ryer Scholarship for Stone Carving! Applications are open until May 20th for this new annual scholarship to attend either Washington or Oregon state International Stone Carving Symposiums.
Eligibility is open to any whose creative journey would benefit from attending a week-long symposium, including those new to the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association.
The Selection criteria are based on your dedication to furthering personal growth in stone sculpture, prior accomplishments and financial need. To apply, visit https://carvestone.org/karen-ryer-scholarship-application/ for the scholarship form and submit 3-5 images of artwork created.

Announcing the Karen Ryer Scholarship! Apply by May 20, 2024
https://carvestone.org/karen-ryer-scholarship-application/

We have an exciting announcement! In 2023, Pat Sargent donated a significant amount of Stone Sculptor’s Supplies’ inventory to launch a new scholarship for NWSSA and CSS. Stephanie Robison brought and sold so many tools at the Washington Symposium, which more to be auctioned at the Oregon Symposium this summer.

The plan is that each year, we award one sculptor with the Karen Ryer Scholarship – a full registration fee waiver to either the Washington or Oregon stone sculpting symposium. Eligibility is open to any sculptor whose creative journey would benefit from attending the symposium, including those who are new to NWSSA. The selection criteria are based on your dedication to furthering personal growth in stone sculpture, prior accomplishments, and financial need. To apply, please fill out the scholarship form and submit 3-5 images of artwork created.

About the Scholarship:
After retiring from her law practice, Karen Ryer began experimenting with stone and found a passion. A lover of all kinds of stone, she continued to learn, experiment and teach others from 1999 until her untimely death in 2023. Karen’s students loved her dearly and benefited from her candid and “can do” instruction. She and her partner Patricia Sargent operated Stone Sculptors Supplies, selling tools and supplies for stone carvers. The business supported so many and was instrumental in creating new carvers world-wide. Through Karen’s brilliant and generous spirit, she inspired many and the Karen Ryer Scholarship is intended to continue her legacy and support new carvers on their journey.

Karen Ryer Scholarship Application - Northwest Stone Sculptors Association We have an exciting announcement! In 2023, Pat Sargent donated a significant amount of Stone Sculptor’s Supplies’ inventory to launch a new scholarship for NWSSA and CSS. Stephanie Robison brought and sold so many tools at the Washington Symposium, which more to be auctioned at the Oregon Sympo...

Hi All,
We wanted to remind you of some upcoming calls for show/sell opportunities with NWSSA at the Seattle Gem & Mineral Show in May, at Tenino Stone Carvers Guild Show in June, the Women's Hand Carving Weekend, and registration is now OPEN for our Washington State Stone Carving Symposium in July!

Also, Nominations are open for positions on our Board of Directors. We appreciate the support of our member-driven board and need you to help shape our future!

More information & links below:
https://mailchi.mp/684cc87e21e4/2024-nwssa-spring-happenings

Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Help Shape NWSSA - Serve on our Board! NWSSA's Board of Directors is Accepting Nominations through May 15th

Our Board members play an important role in the success of NWSSA. Being on the Board, you can have a direct and personal impact on our unique organization. It is also a great way for you to participate in the vision and planning for NWSSA.

To Apply: https://forms.gle/BHYEkC7ySo5VdJkH6

The Board of Directors is responsible for fiscal and legal accountability of the association. The term of office for each Director is two years. At each election approximately ½ of the directors’ terms expire. Terms run from July to July. There is a limit of a maximum of 3 consecutive terms.

We desire to have representation from Canada, Oregon, California and Washington.
A diversity of talents and skills are needed to manage and guide NWSSA. The following skills are especially important (however not required): experience in business administration, bookkeeping, grant writing, negotiations, writing skills, graphics skills, interpersonal communication skills, legal knowledge, prior BOD experience, experience in non-profit organization, experience in event planning and more!

Spring is here, and as the season's change we're excited to announce a big change to our website! Check out www.carvestone.org
If you are a current member, please log in to reset your password as soon as you can, as it will make it easier to register for upcoming symposiums, workshops & member shows/calls for art.
If you're not a member yet, we hope you'll check out the website as we've tried to improve the navigation of our stone carving content.

Our group show is ongoing through the end of March. Here's what you can see Red Sky Gallery by artist Ken Barnes

2024 NWSSA New Year Happenings - https://mailchi.mp/f8d4bb98e7f5/2024-new-year-nwssa-happenings Upcoming stone carving events, parties, symposia dates and shows!

Today's Google Doodle: Allan (Houser) Haozous is a perfect choice for the beginning of Native American Heritage Month! The Goodle Doodle celebrates Chiricahua Apache painter and sculptor Allan Haozous (Houser), who is widely considered one of the most influential Native American artists of the 20th century.

Celebrating Allan Haozous (Houser) Celebrating Allan Haozous (Houser)!

I know we have more than a few experienced rock lickers that can answer this question!

NWSSA Members: Just a few more days to SAVE $100 on your full time registration for Camp Suttle Lake near Sisters, Oregon!

This week long International Stone Carving Symposium will fun from Sunday August 28th - Monday September 4th
Register online NOW! https://nwssa.org/symposia/suttle-lake-symposium/1587-2023-suttle-lake

We are very excited to welcome guest Artist Wimbai Ngoma from Zimbabwe! He's a sculptor whose journey as an artist started in 1997 as an apprentice, rubbing shoulders with some of the best sculptors of Zimbabwe. He has won local awards and has participated in several International exhibitions, workshops and artist residencies. His work can be found in galleries in several countries.

Is it a rock,
is it a stone,
Or is it a future sculpture?

We know you can't resist.

If you’re near Salem, Oregon this weekend, please stop by and visit NWSSA’s booth at the https://salemartfair.org/
Thank you to members Carole Duree-Jones and Ben Mefford with booth set up and hosting.

Salem Art Fair and Festival – July 21-23, 2023

Tom Small field demo on his basalt column
35th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium - Pilgrim Firs Camp - Port Orchard, WA