If you have been lurking around the fringes of NWSSA events for the past few years, it's time to get that extraneous dust off your tools and come to both of our symposiums for a well-ventilated taste of the real thing.
In July, "Camp B" celebrates its 25th anniversary offering a this-year-only early bird rate of $100 off for full-time attendees (including campers) who sign up before June 1st.
We have a lot lined up for you this year. Monumental sculptor George Pratt will be hosting a granite carving workshop. Figurative abstractionist MJ Anderson teaches us the wily ways of Italian marble. The acclaimed contemporary jade and granite sculptor, Deborah Wilson delves into the mysteries of jade. And Richard Hestekind will offer an inspired design workshop. Plus, comprehensive tool talks with Tom Urban, and more. Big celebrations and prizes will be companioned with old friends and new. And let's not forget the best - good, old fashioned, dirty fun.
And if that is not enough to pique your interest, we finish off the symposium season by bringing back world-renown sculptor, Kazutaka Uchida to Silver Falls Symposium in August. Uchida's elegant and sophisticated forms have inspired many a NWSSA artist to new directions. Paired with the much admired figurative sculptor, John Fisher, this is an opportunity any artist would be crazy to miss.
So if you have copper pennies, save them up because they are worth four cents. We know that you will come home from each of our events with a bright, refreshed outlook that'll carry you through the rest of the year.
Gerda Lattey
Call it what you will- economic
downturn, recession, or monetary
slough. For those of us who
create things that are not necessary for
everyday consumption, things are more
challenging than in happy money times.
Unlike some of you more reserved folks,
I tend to complain out loud. While vociferously
venting financial and artistic
frustrations has some possible long-term
health benefits, it also welcomes advice
from every corner. Here is some of the
feedback that I have received: 1) Make
sculpture that is more accessible. 2)
Replicate work. 3) Choose a different
medium. 4) Give up and get a real job.
5) Innovate.
Personally I like number 5. The world in
shift is a good time to think differently,
try new things, and push boundaries like
never before. Art can and should reflect
the time that it was made and provide
a social commentary, insight, and/or a
narrative into the mindset of the community
that it was made in. And so while
the rest of world is choosing reserve
while it continues to consume the same
reserves, we have an opportunity to conceive
new ideas, break new ground and
lead through innovation and inspiration.
And so, here is my suggestion for you.
Try something new… what have you got
to lose?
-Gerda Lattey
Call it what you will - economic downturn, recession, or monetary slough. For those of us who create things that are not necessary for everyday consumption, things are more challenging than in happy money times.
Unlike some of you more reserved folks, I tend to complain out loud. While vociferously venting financial and artistic frustrations has some possible long-term health benefits, it also welcomes advice from every corner. Here is some of the feedback that I have received:
1) Make sculpture that is more accessible.
2) Replicate work.
3) Choose a different medium.
4) Give up and get a real job.
5) Innovate.
Personally I like number 5. The world in shift is a good time to think differently, try new things, and push boundaries like never before. Art can and should reflect the time that it was made and provide a social commentary, insight, and/or a narrative into the mindset of the community that it was made in. And so while the rest of world is choosing reserve while it continues to consume the same reserves, we have an opportunity to conceive new ideas, break new ground and lead through innovation and inspiration.
And so, here is my suggestion for you.Try something new… what have you got to lose?
-Gerda Lattey
Ah, it's that time of year again. Summer time. Symposium time. The time of year when we get to gather, get dirty, and play with stone collectively. When I look back on my carving career to date I remember when I stumbled across the NWSSA and see it as a turning point in my life on a myriad of levels. There is something particularly profound in the discovery of a group of people who share your strange passion. And as luck would have it, to find that they also don't mind sharing their knowledge, processes, friendship and laughter. This experience is unrivaled in my world. So, this year I will again embark on a privilege - the honour of spending time with all you stoners, you who I call my friends. And I know that when we meet this summer, those connections will help me continue my growth as a person and as an artist. I can't wait to see you all very soon.
Gerda
