Another year, and another event has passed. This is the first time that I have been involved in planning, designing, organizing, getting the materials, setting up, sitting at, and tearing down our NWSSA Booth. WOW! It all went together smoothly. And, as an added, unexpected BONUS, our booth received a Ribbon Award of Merit and a Gold Medal for the “BEST” Educational Booth!!! This all fell together with the guiding knowledge and experience of Nicky’s Magic Whip. Oh, I meant, Wand! I did have a hard time believing that this was all going to happen, and that people would show up for their sittings. And it did, you did, we did; and it was a Great Experience! How did we cram all those plants, pedestals with sculptures, a work-in-progress table, and an information table and chair into that 10’x10’ square?

Speaking of a work-in-progress table. We added two things so people could see a sculpture in progress and also see a before and after example. We included a piece of Nicky’s that was mostly carved out, along with tools. Visitors could see some of the tools, and Nicky explained the steps she was performing, as they looked on. We also had a raw or natural piece of the Aphrodite Marble below Ken Ludimo’s beautiful finished Aphrodite marble. “WE ARTISTS” create a masterpiece!!! People really did have a hard time believing that that untouched stone could result in a work of ART! This was a good plan. Since most people have no concept of what a piece of sculpture starts out as, and the steps that it goes through to become art. We had a good interest level for requests for classes, our symposiums, and the NWSSA organization.

For me, it is exciting to talk with someone who has had an interest in stone sculpture, but, has had no one, or no where to look for information. Until now. So, we keep growing. And, as Exhibition Chairman this year, it’s a challenge to find activities that keep us involved with each other and the community.

MANY THANKS to all of you who helped with the booth! Thanks to ALL the artists that hauled their sculptures down to the convention center and picked them up.

We had great community support from Dunn Lumber Co. for loaning us the arbor and trellis’s, Sky Nursery, for loaning us the quartz stone pavers, and Fred Meyer, for loaning us all the plants! People did inquire about these items as well. So, hopefully they will get some business from that exposure. Statistics? Maybe we will have some later. And maybe next time we can have a vignette in the lobby area with some Big Sculpture as well as our educational booth.

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