2017 Washington State Symposium Registration

30th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium
at Camp Pilgrim Firs, Port Orchard, WA 
July 8th-15th 2017

NEW Location!!
Pilgrim Firs Camp and Conference Center is located at 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard, WA 98367

The Symposium 

We invite you to join us at Camp Pilgrim Firs for up to eight full days of playing with stone, communing with nature, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow stone enthusiasts. Bring yourself, your creative energy, your humor, tools, and a favorite piece of stone. If you don’t have stone or tools, we have an entire tent set up for beginners with tools and instructors.
The Camp provides cabins and lodges that are connected by walking paths through the forested grounds and three full meals a day, so you’ll have the ultimate freedom to delve into carving and making friends. Evenings are filled with slideshows, informational talks, a hoot of a fundraising auction, a music-filled final night party, campfires and even nighttime swims in the lake.
Stone and tools are available for purchase by our vendors.

Sculpture Walk on the Meadow Saturday, July 15th
We’ll host an outdoor art gallery that’s a perfect opportunity to show your work in a supportive and appreciative environment. We encourage everyone to bring a finished piece to display and to invite your friends! Bring pedestals if you have them. NWSSA takes a 20% commission

Guest Artists and Workshops

Restoration of Stone and Bronze – Joanne Duby
Joanne’s master techniques have been developed over decades of work as a professional stone carver and instructor, starting here in the Pacific Northwest. Her current studio is in Ventura, CA, and she will be bringing her passion for stone, wide range of skills, and vast knowledge of tips, tricks and hints restore your stone and bronzes, from gluing broken pieces and the removal of stains, to the sealing products that work on stone and bronze!

Direct Carving –  James Horan
Joining us from Ireland is James Horan. He will discuss with us direct carving; the artist works with the individual characteristics of each stone, feeling out forms and compositions, allowing the stone to inform the finished sculpture. James learned of this process while in art school and has been carving direct ever since. When he carves, sometimes he may have an idea ready in his mind and just starts carving. Sometimes he will set the stone up ready to work and just look at it while working on another piece. Having a stone ready allows him to see the stone, think about it and decide what to do with it.

Elegance in Jade – Deborah Wilson 
Acclaimed contemporary jade and granite sculptor, Deborah will be offering a workshop in jade-specific carving and techniques. Her work reflects her love for organic forms and her ongoing interest in utilizing the characteristics that define this “stone of heaven.” A good selection of precut Canadian and US jades will be for sale to create small scale sculpture and pendants.
Class limit is 10 people, so register early and watch your registration confirmation for details.

Beginning Stone Sculpture – Ruth Mueseler and Tamara Buchanan
One of the most thriving areas of this symposium is the Beginner’s Tent where Ruth and Tamara annually welcome new carvers into the stone carving family with stellar individual instruction. The workshop provides each carver with everything they need; a table in the shade, a piece of limestone, and a wide array of tools to try out, with plenty of safety instruction. 

Ruth is a conglomerate of art education teacher, silversmith, art foundry worker and 26 year stone carving veteran. Her heartfelt work ranges from miniature to monumental. As an instructor, she is thoughtful and will engage you with humor and respect. 

Tamara has been sculpting for over 27 years. Featured in many shows throughout the West, her work has won several awards. She loves sharing the process of carving and has been teaching at her studio on Lopez Island for over 10 years

Workshop and Event  Schedule (subject to change)

Our Vendors
Neolithic Stone – Carries a wide range of sculptural quality stones & tools from around the world. 604-736-5201 or www.neolithicstone.com.
Marenakos – For your granite, basalt, sandstone, and limestone needs. Also supplying Trow & Holden tools. www.marenakos.com or 425-392-3313.
Carolyn Anderson’s Magic Fingers – Restore Alignment and health to stressed muscles. 360-698-2198.
Bronzestone – Various sizes of polished granite bases. www.bronzestonebases.com
Washington Jade – Supplying West Coast jade for sale. www.washingtonjade.com

Field Mentors
Most of our members have years if not decades of experience and have worked with various types of stone. If you desire individual guidance or support, field mentors will be available. All parties gain from the experience of sharing information.

Financial Aid
Aid is available for work-study and scholarships. For information contact Cyra Jane, Symposium Director, at 206-406-0711 or sirenicity@gmail.com.

Special Thanks
Marenakos, Concut Diamond Products, Master Wholesale