2024 Oregon State Stone Carving Symposium

August 25th – September 1st, 2024
29th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium
at Camp Suttle Lake near Sisters, Oregon

Early Birds! Sign up by July 15th to Save $100 on Full-Time Registration Fees!

The Northwest Stone Sculptors Association is excited to hold our annual Oregon State Stone Carving Symposium at Suttle Lake Camp. The symposium is open to all levels from beginners who have never carved stone before to the professional sculptor. This symposium is one of the most supportive and inclusive environments you will ever encounter.

Suttle Lake Camp is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, 14 miles west of Sisters. During the early mornings or afternoons, you might find time to swim, paddle a boat across the lake, take a leisurely bike ride, or walk along the trails nearby.

Tuition Includes: Accommodations, Instruction & Meals.

Symposium tuition includes single occupancy lodging in the lodge and double occupancy in the rustic style cabins with brand new semi-private shower facilities with dressing areas. Cots with a mattress are provided, bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and linens. If you prefer more privacy and comfort, there are many hotels and B&B’s located nearby in the town of Sisters.
During the early mornings or afternoons, you might find the time for a swim, paddle a boat across the lake, take a leisurely bike ride or walk along the trails nearby.

Workshops and Instruction: 

Our inclusive community will set up a circle of tents to carve, share, learn and be invigorated. From the beginner’s tent to the professional’s tool chest, there are ample ways to advance one’s ideas, talents and learning.
Extensive carving sessions are interspersed with informative classes and stimulating sculpting lessons. Field mentors and instructors are available to help guide you through your challenges. Bring your gear (if you are a beginner, we have tools you can use), connect to our power, water and air sources and peruse the tools and variety of stones being carved and available for purchase from our on-site vendors.

Tool & Safety Talks – Jeremy Kester of Portland, OR Dan Michael of Olympia, WA will display an array of electric and pneumatic power carving tools and methods while explaining safe operation, potential hazards and proper safety protection.

Beginning Stone Carving: NWSSA provides free access to hand carving tools and tables, plus some pneumatic and power tools for beginners to use throughout the week. Instructor MJ Anderson will guide beginning and intermediate stone carving students to explore basic sculptural form, processes, techniques, and concepts while addressing historical and contemporary issues in sculpture.

Guest Artists and Field Mentors:

Mitsuo Saiki  – Mitsuo, a third generation professional Buddha carver from Japan, is an artist of impressive ability.  We first welcomed him to Suttle Lake in 2018, and we are pleased he has agreed to lead a workshop on carving Buddha.  This is a 6-day workshop. Each day you will learn techniques, design, and will get some feedback. It is important that you bring the tools you are comfortable using in your work, whether pneumatic or hand tools. No additional tools will be provided for this workshop. More details for participants to follow.

Dave Haslett – Dave was born and raised in the Pacific NW where the natural beauty has a major influence on his style and form. Attending Portland State University Dave studied with James Lee Hanson who introduced him to the bronze foundry and Don Wilson introduced Dave to stone carving. Sculptures range from hand held to fourteen feet high. Dave has traveled to Carnac France, Stonehenge England, Machu Picchu Peru, East Africa and visited the monasteries in Lhasa Tibet to explore and research the standing stones left by his predecessors. Dave is an active member and former board member of the NWSSA, served with the Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts for 20 years, Sitka Center for Art & Ecology for 20 years and founded the Orcas Open Studios in 2010. Dave’s work can be found in the Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum Idaho, Catalyst Fine Art Gallery, Seattle WA, Portland Art Museum Rental Sales Gallery, Waterstone Gallery Portland OR and Northwest by Northwest Gallery Cannon Beach OR. 

Uchida Kazutaka – Many of us have come to know Uchida Sensei fondly, and his roots with NWSSA are deep. This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to observe and learn from a celebrated international artist & master stone carver.

MJ Anderson  – M.J. of Nehalem, OR tells stories, entertains and shows how she begins the dialogue with the material to design, rough out, carve and finish a sculpture. She will discuss the themes behind her sculptures, and how ideas morph from one sculptural form to another.

John Thompson – Earning a degree in art from University of North Dakota where printmaking  was  his major focus of study. John’s sense of wit, whimsy and humor are evident in the charming characters he creates; from large scale Missoula Carousel figures to silly birds and goofy little critters.

Workshops:

Buddha Carving Workshop

Our guest artist Mitsuo Saiki will lead a workshop on carving  Buddha. The class size will be limited to 7 carvers of intermediate to advanced skill level. Participants should expect to prepare a maquette to bring to camp. Details to follow.

Slate Carving  Workshop 

John Thompson will demonstrate relief carving on repurposed 1” thick pool table slate with hand tools, a Dremel and a small air hammer. The slate will be provided for those who wish to participate.

Jade Carving Workshop

Julianne Kohn & Steve Sandry will provide instruction on lapidary equipment in the Jade Carving tent. There is limited space to participate, so be sure to register early! There will be an additional materials fee depending upon the size and quality of jade you select.

Stone and Tool Vendors:

If you have a special order, please contact the Vendor(s) prior to Camp
Tom Urban – A selection of stone and tools from Neolithic Stone & Tom’s inventory. Alabaster, chlorite, limestone, Kansas fence posts and marbles. Tools include diamond blades, cups, burrs and files. Call for requests and info, 541-912-2197 or tfurban@uoregon.edu

Special Thanks to the directors and staff of Suttle Lake Camp for their hospitality, Rich Hestekind for his mentorship.

Mail In Registration Form
Printable Oregon State Symposium Brochure
Event Release Form (Please fill out and bring to registration check in)

Camp Suttle Lake is located at  29551 SW Suttle Lake Loop, Sisters, OR 97759

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