New and Noteworthy
Here are a few comments from Camp Brotherhood Symposium attendees:
From Dave: "It has been one week to the day we departed the sacred grounds of Camp Brotherhood where once more an incredible gathering of kindred souls took place. Thank you Arliss for all of your hard work in putting this party together. Nora Valdez was a delight to have as our guest sculptor and to see her slide presentation of her work was truly inspiring. We also have a new deluxe masonry fire circle constructed on site with stone donated by Marenakos. Thank you Scotty and Shannon."
From Gerda: "Thanks for the absolutely wonderful time at Camp B this year!! Love to all...xo"
From Mike: "As a new guy I just needed to say how great it was meeting and working with you all. It was way more than I expected it to be, had a wonderful time, met great people, and learned a great deal. What I most loved was that even though no one knew me, after the first day I felt like I was surrounded by family. Thank you all, especially arliss for getting me on work study so I could attend the entire symposium. Hope to see you all next year."
Saturday August 23 through Thursday August 28, 2008
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
Contact: Stephanie Robison, 971-222-4743.
It's August now, and that means that the Silver Falls Stone Carving Workshop is practically here. You haven't signed up yet? Better get a move on, Silver Falls is your last opportunity in 2008 to do that wonderful symposium thing. We'll have eight months of winter before Pack Forest roles around in the spring.
Don't forget the dates: Saturday August 23 through Thursday August 28. The best six days of autumn.
Stephanie Robison and Tom Urban have a wonderful schedule of events for us. They are bringing in the marvelous Al Sieradski from Eugene to give his marvelous chalk talk on his marvelous controlled shape carving. Think that's too many marvelouses? Wait until you see the kind of work this retired math teacher produces using his innovative techniques. A few marvelouses don't begin to cover it.
Also on tap is the prestigious Oregon sculptor, Michihiro Kosuge. He's a retired art teacher from Portland State and is well known for his mixed media sculptures using stone elements. He's also somewhat of a recluse, only talking about his art on rare occasions. Put a gold star on Michael Creger for scoring a slide show by Kosuge. Google him up, or see a piece of his recent work by going to: trimet.org/news/releases/may29_art.htm
But the marvels don't stop there. We're also treated to four one-on-one instructors and two more slide show lecturers.
And how about that auction on Tuesday night? Don't know why this smaller than Camp B group always has so much fun raising education funds, but they do. Might have something to do with the free wine and the free spirits of the Silver Falls stoners. My memories are still way too vivid of Karl Hufbauer dancing on table tops in pink pants so tight he was in need of mouth to mouth resuscitation after his electrifying trip down the runway.
Oh yes, it's going to be good times again this year at Silver Falls. We'll be carving our lovely stone, learning from some of the best, eating plentiful and delicious meals, singing 'round the camp fire and talking into the night for as long as we want; all of us drenched in that ambiance of NWSSA SPIRIT that we cherish so much.
Come join us, won't you?
Elaine MacKay has retired as president of NWSSA and will serve as Camp Brotherhood symposium director, taking over for Arliss Newcomb. We all give immense thanks to these generous volunteers. Tom Francis is the new NWSSA President. Sharon and Arliss retired from the board of directors - Thanks ever so much for your spirit of helping and nuturing stone sculptors. Petra and Bill joined the board. Welcome aboard.
Comments are invited about all the things we do. We operate from the energy of volunteers and invite you to offer your help. See the Contacts web page to get in touch and make your ideas known. Or strike up a conversation on the mailing list.
Also, if you want to help with the email list or the web site, please get in touch with Rich Andler and Bill Brayman.