Suttle Lake

2019 Camp Suttle Lake Centerfold

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.

Suttle Lake HH Agreement

Assumption of Risk and Liability

As a participant in the Northwest Stone Sculptor Association’s Symposium retreat at Suttle Lake Camp near Sisters, OR from August 10-18th, 2019. I hereby acknowledge, affirm and represent as follows:

1: I understand and acknowledge that the retreat will take place both in and out-of-doors. I am aware of the risks associated with activities that take place out of doors, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling in unfamiliar terrain, exposure to sun, rain, wind, unexpected temperature changes and other forces of nature; exposure to poisonous plants and vegetation, wild animals and insects, and accidents or illness in remote places without medical facilities. I am aware of basic safety rules for out of door activities. I will obey and follow any further safety information, instruction or rules offered at the retreat.

2: I understand and acknowledge that the retreat will primarily involve instruction and demonstration in stone and wood handling, cutting and sculpting. I am aware of the inherent risks associated with these activities, including but not limited to respiratory and musculoskeletal hazards. I am aware of the inherent risks of handling hand and power tools. I will obey and follow any further safety information, instruction or rules offered at the retreat.

3: I represent and affirm that I am in good health and am physically fit and full capable to participate in the retreat. I have no allergies, heart problems, epilepsy, physical or mental disabilities or any other medical condition that would place me or the other participants in the retreat at risk of harm or injury.

4: I understand I am responsible for my own safety and or happiness that no one associated with the retreat shall serve as the guardian of my safety and or happiness. I also understand that I am to furnish any equipment or tools I use at the retreat and that I am solely responsible for ensuring such equipment or tools are in safe and good operating condition.

5: In consideration of an as part payment for the right to participate in the retreat and any activities that take place in association with the retreat, I hereby assume full liability for all risks associated with my participation in the retreat and expressly release and hold harmless the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association and Suttle Lake Camp, their owners, operators, agents and instructors from any and all liability, action, causes of action, debts, claims and demands of every kind and nature whatsoever which may arise out of or in connection with my participation in the retreat, including but not limited to any occurrence which may result in injury, death or other damages to me or my person. I understand that the terms of this assumption of risk of liability shall also serve as an assumption of risk and release of liability for all members of my family (including minors accompanying me), my heirs and assigns.

6:  I consent to allow NWSSA to use images of myself and/or my art in order to document this event or to promote this and other NWSSA events.

                                                                                                                Initials for     Yes ___________       No____________

7: I represent and affirm that I am over 18 years of age and that I am legally competent to sign this release of liability. I further represent and affirm that I have singed this release as my own free act.

8: I UNDERSAND THAT THE TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT ARE CONTRACTURAL AND NOT RECITAL. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT AFFECTS MY LEGAL RIGHTS AND THAT I MAY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OF MY CHOICE BEFORE I SIGN THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT IF I HAVE ANYQUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT AFFECTS MY RIGHTS.

9: I FULLY INFORMED MYSELF OF THE CONTENT OF THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT BY READING IT BEFORE I SIGNED IT.

Date: ____________  Printed Name: ______________________________________________

Signed: ______________________________________________________________________

Good Times at Suttle Lake 2018

As the harvest time of year is upon us, I would like to take a moment to reflect on another fantastic year at Suttle Lake. There are many new developments we learned in methods, and mediums. Also, inroads to personal growth, and reconnecting with what may now be, lifelong friends. These are some of the things I have heard and experienced this year at Suttle Lake. For this I am grateful to all of you that join together to make this happen.

The teachings of our newest friend Joseph Kincannon gave us a unique perspective towards the methods used in the making of the cathedrals of old Europe. His slide show was mesmerizing and informative. Jesse his apprentice from years past also accompanied Joseph and folks enjoyed their energy towards the craft. Hopefully Joseph and/or Jesse will be joining us next year as well.

Uchida sensei was honored with a lifetime achievement award and Lee Imonen graciously accepted the Hammer Award without trying to escape just before receiving it. 

We had a record number in our beginner’s tent this year with 8 new people. Our instructor Stephanie Robinson is great at exciting new people to work and achieving well beyond their own personal expectations. Not unlike Tom Sawyer, but for the sake of making art.

Deborah Wilson once again shared her expertise of jade carving with the assistance of our brother Steve Sandry for another exceptional program.

Seattle Solstice returned after 5 years and amazed the crowd once again with new technologies and an update on the progress of the 10,000 year clock.

Lisa Ponder and Rich Hestekind gave a very informative discussion on memorial work within the trade from a personal perspective to a larger commercial one, both very vital areas to consider within the stone carving community.

I remain committed to carving time for the attendees during the week and this year it showed. I added an additional ten display pedestals to our show, and we used every one of them this year. Our Stone Walk was a resounding success! We sold five pieces this year. It was the best public turnout yet, and I believe it is because we are no longer competing with the High Desert Show in Bend, which is their biggest event of the year, and is now the week after ours.

We received press in Bend and Sisters over and above what we solicited. We also are on the radar for a possible art project for the city of Sisters, Oregon. Next year’s Stone Walk should prove to be even better for all of you that participate.

The Suttle Lake symposium raised funds for shore power at our annual auction, and now it is going to be a reality. I was just informed by the camp that they are hooking up power within the budget we raised for the camp and we will no longer need to rent and feed a generator for our symposium. NWSSA should see a direct savings after next year’s symposium, which also means our rates for our attendee’s, will remain affordable.

Finally, I would like to thank our support staff, Renee Roberts, Rich Hestekind, Dan Michael, and everyone I have not mentioned for your continued hard work. I would also like to thank our Board for their time and expertise. Without them, this community of “weirdos” would not be possible. And I want to thank each of you. Connected by the creative spirit, we support one another in this endeavor unlike any other. It is our love of this art form and each other where we are at our best.
Until then, keep the chips flying and your area dusty

Doug Wiltshire

2018 Suttle Lake International Stone Carving Symposium