2026 Stone Carving Calendar of Events
SAVE THE DATES!
April 11& 12TH 2026 – BEST OF THE NORTHWEST SHOW & SALE – Seattle, WA (two day event)
NWSSA will be featured in a special exhibit for this Northwest Art Alliance event. We will host a youth stone carving workshop and have our Demo booth inviting visitors to try their hand at carving soft stone as well as a large display area of stone sculptures at the Spring “Best of the Northwest” Show at The Hangar 30 building at Magnuson Park 7400 Sand Point Way NE Seattle, WA 98115 Look for our Call for Artists & Volunteers after the new year!
JUNE 4-7th 9 2026 WOMEN’S HANDCARVING RETREAT & ART SHOW – (Now 4 Days and a New Location!)
Our quiet, peaceful, 4-day hand carving event is a wonderful gathering of women artists will be hosted athe the South Lodge of Camp Pilgrim Firs in Port Orchard, WA. We can easily talk among ourselves. If you aren’t a hand carver, bring a partially finished piece you can rasp, chisel, or sand. Space will be limited to 20 experienced participants and 4 brand new to carving participants. Registration is FULL! Ask to be added to our WAIT LIST.
August 23rd, 2026 10 am – 6 pm Sculpture Exhibit & Sale at Kubota Garden, Seattle, WA
This exhibit showcases the works and artists of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association within a garden where stone is a major element in its design. Many of the pieces are for sale to become a focal point in your home or garden! Calls for member participation and volunteers will be announced this summer. Kubota Garden Sculpture Exhibit
SUMMER SYMPOSIA
Our symposia are open to all levels from beginners who have never carved stone before, to the hobbyist, to the professional sculptor. These events are one of the most supportive and inclusive environments you will ever encounter. Meet new people, renew old friendships, get inspired, pose your question, answer someone’s question, and fire up the creative spirit in a rich, sharing environment.
Extensive carving sessions are interspersed with informative classes and stimulating sculpting lessons during each of our events. 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.
- JULY 11-19TH 2026: Washington International Stone Carving Symposium, Port Orchard, WA
Join us for an eight-day symposium on the lovely grounds of Pilgrim Firs Camp in Port Orchard. We will have an expanded Beginner’s tent, with hand carving and intermediate power tool instruction, the NWSSA general assembly meeting, campfires, inspiring conversations and, hopefully, you! Guest artists, topics and registration will open early spring! or email the Symposium Co-Directors Cyra Jane sirenicity@gmail.com or Ben Mefford sculpt.mefford@gmail.com for any questions. - JULY 18th 2026 11 am – 3 pm Outdoor Sculpture Show in Port Orchard, WA
Visit with artists, and view 100 sculptures on display and for sale as our 38th Annual Sculpture Symposium culminates. This outdoor event is open to the public. Hosted at Pilgrim Firs Camp & Conference Center 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd Port Orchard, WA 98367
- AUGUST 10-17th 2026 Oregon State International Stone Carving Symposium, near Sisters, OR
Suttle Lake Camp is our home for the week of our annual Stone Carving Symposium in Oregon. The Camp is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains 14 miles west of Sisters. Guest artists to be announced late spring. Questions? Contact Symposium Director Rachell Jarvis rachell@nwssa.org - AUGUST 15th 2026 11am – 4 pm Outdoor Sculpture Show at Camp Suttle Lake, OR
Visit with artists, and view 50+ sculptures on display and for sale as our Annual Sculpture Symposium culminates. This outdoor event is open to to public.
SAVE THE DATES!!!
Other Stone Carving Events (Non NWSSA Sponsored)
April 12-19th 2026 – CALIFORNIA SCULPTORS SYMPOSIUM at Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria, California
(CSS) is an annual, week-long program of workshops and demonstrations given by sculptors for sculptors. Intimate hands-on sessions with expert instructors will improve your technique, inspire your designs and build your expertise. This year’s featured medium are: stone carving with instructor Brian Barreto, figurative clay with Alexander David S. Peter and inflatables with Amy Brown! Participants return to CSS year after year to share their passion for working with stone, wood, metal and clay. It’s a place to learn, exchange ideas and recharge your creative batteries for both the novice and the seasoned artist. California Sculptors Symposium
June 20th 2026, YOUTH SOAPSTONE CARVING EVENT: Kubota Garden, Seattle
2 Youth Soapstone Carving Sessions will be offered on Saturday, June 21st: 10-11:30 am or 1-2:30 pm. The Kubota Garden Foundation along with artist instructors from Northwest Stone Sculptors Association will guide participants through the process of shaping this beautiful, natural material into a figurine to take home. Participation is free and the soapstone and all necessary tools will be provided. For youth ages 8 – 17. Pre-Registration will Open May 16th.
JUNE 25-28 2026, MATZKE STONE CARVING WORKSHOP: Camano Island, WA
This 3-day Hand Tooling Workshop is taught by master carver Kentaro Kojima at Karla Matzke’s Gallery and Sculpture Park on Camano Island. The event is designed to accommodate beginning carvers as well as more experienced sculptors. Register by June 1st. Matzke Stone Carving Workshop
DATE TBD 2026, TENINO CARVER’S GUILD SHOW & SALE: Tenino, WA
The Tenino Carver’s Guild has invited Northwest Stone Sculptors Association to show and sell sculpture during the Tenino Farmers Market and Craft show.
DATE TBD SEPTEMBER 2026 VANCOUVER ISLAND STONE SCULPTURE SYMPOSIUM: Lake Cowichan, BC Canada
A week-long stone carving symposium hosted by Daniel Cline and West Coast Sculpture Association More Information will be available: Vancouver Island Stone Sculpture Symposium
Past 2026 Events
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24th – NWSSA HOLIDAY PARTY – 4-8 PM 
Stone Carving Folks, Family and Friends, our winter potluck party will be hosted at the Lakewood-Seward Park Community Club in South Seattle again this year. In the NWSSA tradition… it’s a potluck, please bring a dish to share. Also bring something to drink or a favorite dance tune; we will provide the basics.
We will also host an Art Exchange! If you’d like to participate in this optional event, bring a small sculpture or work of art that you have created and we will have a fun interactive exchange where you can adopt something from a fellow member you’ve always admired!
Everyone is welcome to come, catch up, enjoy some fantastic food and reconnect in the New Year!
