The Symposium
We invite you to join us at Camp Pilgrim Firs for eight full days of playing with stone, communing with nature and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow stone enthusiasts. Bring yourself, your creative energy, your tools, and a favorite rock (or four!)
If you’re new to this whole things and don’t have stone or tools, we have an entire space set up for beginners with tools and instructors. Stone and tools will be available for purchase by our vendors.
The Campground 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 building friendships. Evenings are filled with slideshows, informational talks, a riot of a fundraising auction, a music-filled final night party, campfires and even nighttime swims in the lake.
Accommodations
The Camp has a lodge with a shared common area and bathrooms; it features multiple dorm-style rooms that sleep 2-3 people each. There are also 11 duplex-style cabins with private decks that sleep up to 3 per side. For those who like to commune more closely with nature, limited space is available for tents or trailers. No pets are allowed during the week.
Sculpture Walk on the Meadow: Saturday, July 13th 11 am – 4 pm
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.
Carving Botanicals in Soft Stone with Kathryn Vinson
Having carved botanical subjects for the last 19 years, Kathryn will share her tips and techniques in achieving the illusion of delicate petals while still leaving structural substance in the sculpture and in joining multiple stones and materials together to create a complete composition. Later in the week, she’ll lead a 2-day workshop that includes wandering the grounds, sketching local plants, and then turning that into a small alabaster carving.
Pareidolia: An Exploration in Creativity with Amy Brier
Amy will lead a carving workshop during the week 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.
“See, Feel, Imagine, and Move” with Lee Gass
We will set up a darkroom and turntable for you to study your own and other’s works in fields of laser light, as we explore how we really see in 3D and how that affects the forms we make. Sculptors will be able to examine their own works in progress and finished pieces rotating in a field of laser light and discuss what they see with other sculptors. Sculptor, educator, and scientist Lee Gass will be guiding this workshop the first half of the week along with providing walks, talks, and discussions on various topics.
Elegance in Jade – Deborah Wilson
Acclaimed contemporary jade and granite sculptor will be offering a workshop in jade. 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 with Tamara Buchanan
Our Beginners Workshop provides space, stone, and instruction on carving and safe hand tool usage. We provide a work table in the communal Dojo tent, a piece of limestone, and an extensive tool library with all the things you need to get started on your first sculpture. Tamara has been sculpting for over 35 years and has won several awards. She loves sharing the process of carving.
Click here to learn more about participating as a beginner at our symposium
“Intermediate Power Tools” 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.
Schedule:
| Workshop | Instructor | Days |
| See, Feel, Imagine, and Move | Lee Gass | Sun-Tues |
| Botanicals in Soft Stone | Kathryn Vinson | Sun-Sat |
| Elegance in Jade | Deborah Wilson | Mon-Fri |
| Beginner’s Stone Carving | Tamara Buchanan | Sun-Sat |
| Pareidolia: Exploration in Creativity | Amy Brier | Sun-Sat |
| Intermediate Power Tools | Oliver Harwood, Stephanie Robison | Sun-Sat |
| Event | Facilitator | Evening |
| Artist Presentations | Guest Artists | Sat-Tues |
| General Assembly and BOD Meet | Ellie Hochman | Wednesday |
| Live Auction | Al Mangold | Thursday |
| Dance Party! | You and Me and the DJ | Friday |
| Pulbic Sculpture Show | Saturday |
Symposium Staff
Cyra Jane Hobson, Director
Renee Roberts, Registrar
Kerin Monika Hawkinson, Field Manager
Pavel Nosov, Field Manager
Our Vendors
Stone and tools will be available for purchase by our vendors;
Neolithic Stone – If you have specific stone requests, please contact Randy ahead of time at www.neolithicstone.com 604-736-5201
Bronzestone – Various sizes of polished granite bases. www.bronzestonebases.com
Richard Secrist – Rejuvenating deep tissue massage, providing 60, 90, and 2hr massages.
Washington Jade – Supplying West Coast jade for sale. www.washingtonjade.com
Carolyn Anderson and Georgia Peterson – Restore alignment and health to stressed muscles.
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. If you’re interested in being a field mentor, please contact the director. All parties gain from the experience of sharing information.
Financial Aid
Thanks to our generous members and the Scholarship Auction, funds are available for both work-study positions and scholarships. For information, contact Cyra Jane, Symposium Director, at 206-406-0711 or sirenicity@gmail.com
Registration
Register On-line (preferred) or via SnailMail: download [ 2024 Registration Form] send with with payment to NWSSA, Attn: Cyra Jane, Symposium Director, PO Box 27364 Seattle, WA 98165
Upon registration, you will receive a package of information including directions to Camp Pilgrim Firs and a list of things to bring.
| Registration Rates | Member | |
| Full Time Lodge/Cabin | $1,195*/*$1,095 Before May 31st | |
| Full Time Tent/Camper | $1,075 / * $975 Before May 31st | |
| Day Rate, Lodge | # of Days X $200 | |
| Day Rate, Tent/Camper | # of Days x $180 |
Special Thanks
Marenakos, 4Culture, Star Rentals and the staff at Pilgrim Firs.
Event Release Form (Please fill out and bring with you to registration/check in)
Our Location
Pilgrim Firs Camp and Conference Center is located at 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard, WA 98367
$1,195*
Members: $1,095
Before May 31st
Overnight
$200 per day
$1,075
Members $975
Before May 31st
Overnight
$175 per day
Need to register as Staff or as an Instructor?
Click Here to Register now.
Are you joining us with a scholarship or for work study?
Click Here to Register now.
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