It has been a very good year for the Association. We had our best ever Whidbey Symposium in terms of both participation and energy level. Camp Brotherhood was similarly well-received, with our biggest ever crowd and a Sculpture Walk that drew an estimated 600 people. I just got back from a short visit to the Silver Falls symposium and was amazed at the number of tents and wonderful artwork in process. This is the core of our mission; teaching about stone sculpting through hands-on experience.

 

While our mission will always be education, we have benefited from a very strong exhibition year. As I write this our September Kirsten Gallery show in Seattle is in progress. The Lake Oswego Arts Festival was an extraordinary success. As the feature artistic organization, NWSSA artists sold more collective art than any other feature group in the Festival’s history. As of last count the sales were approaching $50,000, including sales at the Festival, follow-up sales, and commissions. The Sculpture Walk at Camp Brotherhood also generated nearly $10,000 in sales for participating members. As one of the recipients of sales proceeds I am very happy to pay my $50 for next year’s dues.

 

The next time I will see all of you I will be happily sampling the pot luck trays at the Holiday Party, and dreaming already about sharing carving days under tents at the next symposium. Hope to see you there.

 

Carve well, have fun, and be safe,