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 19th 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 receives a 20% commission.
A Splash Of Color – Cliff Fragua
From Jemez Pueblo, NM, Cliff is an artist committed to his tribal community. He creates his stone sculptures with the use of traditional stone carving techniques, frequently combining various stones laminated and assembled in works from table top to larger than life in scale.
Cliff’s works are in public places around the United States, notably in the permanent collection at the US Statuary Hall, and the Emancipation Hall, US Capitol Building, Washington DC and the Equal Justice Initiative Fredom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, AL.
Vessels In Hard Stone – Senden Blackwood
Senden (Australia) has been carving abstract sculptures in stone for 25 years. With a predilection for simplicity, and a drive towards harmony, his sculptures are exhaustively worked and often include a juxtaposition of smooth and textured surfaces. His works range in size from monumental to minute and are primarily in hard stone.
He has attended 4 NWSSA symposia since 2006, exhibited extensively in Australia, and maintains a connection with the Pacific Northwest.
Revealing Harmony – Masayuki NagRebase
Yuki is a stone sculptor based in Berkeley California. He was born in Kyoto, Japan and worked internationally in numerous sculpture symposiums in Europe and in the countries of Chile, the US, and Canada. He has been working in site-specific public art for over 25 years completing numerous projects throughout the US. Nagase continues to be inspired in his work to provide the expansion of our humanity through the connection with art, nature and community. He finds that the interactive process of public art can be a channel for reclaiming connection and communication for communities.
Elegance in Jade – Deborah Wilson
Acclaimed contemporary jade and granite sculptor will be offering a workshop in jade. Deborah’s 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 & Ben Kimura
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 Ben who have taught stone carving and sculpture for many years and are both accomplished artists.
Schedule:
| Workshop | Instructor | Days |
| A Splash of Color | Cliff Fragua | Sun-Tues |
| Vessels in Hard Stone | Senden Blackwood | Sun-Sat |
| Site Specific Art | Masayuki Nagase | Sun-Sat |
| Elegance in Jade | Deborah Wilson | Mon-Fri |
| Beginner’s Stone Carving | Tamara Buchanan | Sun-Sat |
| Intermediate Power Tools | Oliver Harwood & Ben Kimura | Sun-Sat |
| Event | Facilitator | Evening |
| Artist Presentations | Guest Artists | Sat-Tues |
| General Assembly and BOD Meeting | Tamara Buchanan | Wednesday |
| Live Auction | Al Mangold | Thursday |
| Dance Party! | You and Me and the DJ | Friday |
| Outdoor Sculpture Show | Open to the Public | Saturday |
Symposium Staff
Cyra Jane Hobson, & Benjamin Mefford Co-Directors
Ed Salerno, Field Manager
Pavel Nosov, Field Ranger
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
Blind Stream Stoneworks – Honeycomb Calcite from Hanna, Utah www.blindstramstoneworks.com
Richard Secrist – Rejuvenating deep tissue massage, providing 60, 90, and 2hr massages.
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 Click Here to apply for a Work-Study position or Financial Aid
Thanks to our generous members and the Scholarship Auction, funds are available for both work-study positions and scholarships. For information, contact our Symposium Co-Directors Cyra Jane, 206.406.0711 sirenicity@gmail.com or Benjamin Mefford
Registration
Register On-line (preferred) or via SnailMail: download ] send with with payment to NWSSA, Attn: Cyra Jane & Ben Mefford Symposium Directors, 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 | $1,220*/*$1,120 Before May 31st | |
| Full Time Tent/Camper | $1,095 / * $995 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)
Event Location
Pilgrim Firs Camp and Conference Center is located at 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard, WA 98367
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