COVID-19

Hello stoners,

What a crazy time. It is scary, maybe even terrifying, depending upon the latest news source I have seen. Corona virus and COVID-19 are a serious threat to us here in the northwest and around the country. We do not have any events in the immediate future, but we do have the Women’s Hand Carving event coming up in June, Pilgrim Firs in July and Suttle Lake in August. In my hopeful moments I dream of the virus being contained in May and we can continue weaving the magic that is a NWSSA symposium throughout the summer.

The Board of Directors and the symposium managers are keeping a close watch on the recommendations and directions given by the CDC, state governors and other public health officials for public gatherings. We have been in contact with the symposium venues and they are granting us great flexibility. It is still early days and we will continue to monitor developments and discuss the best course of action. Our number one priority is the health of our members. However, I tear up to think of a summer without symposiums.

At this point we have not opened up registration for Pilgrim Firs or Suttle Lake, and we will wait longer than normal to begin registration for these events. We have been taking registrations for the Women’s Hand Carving event. We are trying to structure these events such that if we need to cancel our members can get a full refund of the symposium fee.

Researchers are working on the question of whether a head to toe covering of stone dust (excluding a face mask and goggle shadow) conveys any protection from viruses. Stay tuned for more information.

Ken – Prez

Covid-19 Common Questions & Resources Below is a select list of links to some great resources we found regarding Covid-19 information and resources (some especially for artists).

WHO – World Health Organization
CDC – Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Oregon State Health Authority
Washington State Department of Health

Resources for Artists Affected by Covid-19 

Washington State
4Culture Cultural Relief Fund
ArtistTrust.org 

Oregon State
RACC.org
Portland Area Artist Relief Fund

National Resources
National Endowment for the Arts
Cerf+.org Artists Safety Net
Creative Capital 
Americans for the Arts
The Adolph & Esther Gottlieb Emergency Grant
Joan Mitchell Foundation