29th Annual Stone Carving Symposium at Suttle Lake - Sisters, Oregon
Due to the hazardous air quality at the camp and surrounding areas we have made the very difficult decision to cancel the 2023 Suttle Lake Symposium. This has been one of the hardest decisions we have had to make at NWSSA, but the health and safety of our participants is our first priority. We feel your pain. Some of us live 51 weeks of the year looking forward to this one week... I know, because I am one of them. However, we must put the safety of our members first.
We are now looking into other locations and dates to host an alternative symposium in late September. We look forward to informing you of opportunities on the horizon.
Thank you for your support and understanding,
NWSSA Suttle Lake Team
29th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium • Camp Suttle Lake • Sisters, Oregon August 28th - September 4th 2023
Suttle Lake Symposium 2022
SUTTLE LAKE SYMPOSIUM AUGUST 7-14, 2022 By Kentaro Kojima
After two years of silence, The Northwest Stone Sculptors Association is excited to hold our annual Oregon State Stone Carving Symposium at Suttle Lake Camp. This is the 6th year we are returning to this venue, and it has become our ‘home’. The symposium is open to all levels from beginners who have never carved stone before to the professional sculptor. This symposium is one of the most supportive and inclusive environments you will ever encounter.
Suttle Lake Camp is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, 14 miles west of Sisters. During the early mornings or afternoons, you might find time to swim, paddle a boat across the lake, take a leisurely bike ride, or walk along the trails nearby.
Symposium tuition includes: Single-occupancy lodging in the Lodge or double occupancy in the rustic style cabins with brand new semi-private shower facilities with dressing areas. Cots with a mattress are provided. Bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and linens. If you prefer more privacy and comfort, there are many hotels and B&B’s located nearby in the town of Sisters.
Our inclusive community will set up a circle of tents to carve, share, learn and be invigorated.
Extensive carving sessions are interspersed with informative classes and stimulating sculpting lessons.
Field mentors and instructors are available to help guide you through your challenges. Bring your gear.
If you are a beginner, we have tools you can use. Connect to our power, water and air sources. Peruse the tools and variety of stones being carved, or available for purchase from our on-site vendors.
Guest Artists will include:
Sabah Al Dhaher www.sabahfineart.com
Matt Auvinen www.mattauvinen.com
Mark Herrington www.markherrington.com
Lawrence Stoller www.lawrencestoller.com
Click Here to Register Online!
How to Get To Suttle Lake Camp & Conference Center
29551 Suttle Lake Rd.
Sisters, OR 97759
Directions:
Southbound on I-5:
Take exit 253 at Salem east onto Highway 22. Proceed eighty-three miles through Detroit to the junction with Highway 126/20. Merge left. Continue thirteen miles east to the Suttle Lake Campgrounds turnoff. At Suttle Lake, proceed south onto Suttle Lake Loop Road 2070. The Suttle Lake United Methodist Camp parking lot will be on your left 0.3 miles from the highway.
Take exit 194A, Highway 126 East, the McKenzie River Highway and proceed eighty-nine miles, passing the McKenzie Bridge and the junction of Highway 20 and Highway 22. Travel north on Highway 126/20. Keep to the right at the junction of Highway 20 and proceed east to the Suttle Lake Campgrounds turnoff. At Suttle Lake, proceed south onto Suttle Lake Loop Road 2070. The Suttle Lake United Methodist Camp parking lot will be on your left 0.3 miles from the highway.
From Albany:
Take Interstate 5 exit 233 and drive east through Lebanon on Highway 20 to Suttle Lake. At Suttle Lake, proceed south onto Suttle Lake Loop Road 2070. The Suttle Lake United Methodist Camp parking lot will be on your left 0.3 miles from the highway.
Central Oregon Daily Feature Article
We hope you enjoy his segment as much as we do!
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.
