Northwest Stone Sculptors Association

25th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium   •   Camp Suttle Lake   •   Sisters, Oregon   •   August 11th - 18th, 2019

The NWSSA Oregon State Stone Carving Symposium brings together sculptors of all levels to collaborate, commune with nature, and carve stone.  Every year drives the art form forward by integrating new technology and ideas with ancient techniques. The outdoor group carving experience takes away the pressure of the home studio, and generates energy, inspiration, and insight to fuel the rest of the year.

Guest Artists

Sabah Al-Dhaher was born in Nasriyah, Iraq.  At the age of 15 he was accepted to The Fine Arts Institute-Basra in Iraq, where he lived and received his training in classical art.  Sabah fled Iraq in 1991, spent two and a half years in a refugee camp in Saudi Arabia and in 1993 arrived in the US as a political refugee.  Sabah has been creating and exhibiting his work throughout the Northwest since 1995. Sabah's story has been chronicled in various media including "My Saraab", a documentary by Sarna Lapine. www.sabahfineart.com

Patrick Doratti has a background in digital imaging, animation and fine arts, and has studied stone sculpture in Carrara, Italy. He is currently utilizing his background in CAD with a digital robotic arm to rough out large scale stone sculptures at his studio in Nelson, B.C.

Stephanie Robison teaches sculpture at the City College of San Francisco and currently serves as Vice President and Educational Director for the California Sculptors Symposium. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Marylhurst University and a Master of Fine Arts in Sculpture from the University of Oregon. www.stephanierobison.com

Tom Small grew up in the Pacific Northwest and has always been inspired by the mountains, trees, and creative beings that live here. Following these themes, his daily workshops will explore those ideas, including stone in multi-media work, storytelling in stone art, and abstract exploration through cutting, drilling, and splitting stone.  www.sculptureoftomsmall.com

Lawrence Stoller is an internationally recognized, award-winning artist, sculptor, author and teacher.  He has pioneered the art of sculpting monumental transparent crystals combined with bronze, known as Megagems, which includes several of the largest gemstone sculptures in existence. Stoller was commissioned by American Express to create the centerpiece of the Eleven Tears Memorial, located across the street from Ground Zero (9/11). His collaborative hanging sculpture “Bahia” is the cornerstone of the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.  www.crystalworks.com 

Mark Andrew will lead our group sculpture project for Camp Suttle Lake. This large-scale monument will continue to progress each year until completed, and all are encouraged to spend time with this magnificent piece of marble. www.markandrewstudio.com

Richard Hestekind is renowned for creating abstract forms inspired by his reverence for Japanese aesthetic. We appreciate his mentorship of our stone community and engaging, mindful workshops.

Kazutaka Uchida is a master sculptor who has taught and influenced many NWSSA members.  The recognition of his talent is reflected in his 32 solo gallery exhibitions, 33 site-specific commissions of environmental art, and inclusion of his sculpture in 7 museum collections in Japan, France, and the U.S.

Jade Carving Workshop with Steve Sandry - Space is limited in the Jade Carving tent, so be sure to register early!  There will be an additional materials fee depending upon the size and quality of jade you select.

Tool & Safety Talks - 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.

Financial Aid Thanks to our generous members and the Thursday Auction, funds are available for students, work-study and scholarship positions. For information, contact Doug Wiltshire, Symposium Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.