I hope this edition of the newsletter finds each of you in an exuberance of creative energy! As I think of the symposia coming up so soon I fmd myself swept up in a growing level of excitement. I think of old friends I'll be able to see and new friends I'll meet. I think of the exposure to new ideas, new technologies, new tools, and new materials, the beautiful setting and the creative and enabling environment...
I would like to explore a few thoughts on the direction of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association. In addition to what we as a community have realized and continue to thrive in, we must look towards our future and new opportunities. Most of you know that the NWSSA is a non-profit and now a tax deductible organization. With the exception of how we display our art for sale, who we are and what we do remains the same. To enable the sales of our sculpture, a business for profit, the Sculpture Cooperative Northwest has been established.
With our new ability to solicit both public and private funding, we now will be able to realize projects, establish a facility, and program events, otherwise inaccessible due to a lack of fmancial support. Clarity of vision and purpose, along with well articulated goals, are critical to this phase of our development. We, as the board of directors, are working on those issues. We will soon present a report for your examination.
See you soon!
Rich Hestekind
After what seemed like a long winter, it is rejnvenative to finally experience the exuberance of spring.
This year we have an abundance of opportunity to expand our abilities, our ideas, our materials and tools, and our circle of friends. Beginning with the Chinook workshop retreat, followed by the Silver Falls, Oregon Symposium, the Camp Brotherhood Symposium, and the Vancouver Island Symposium, our calendar is full.
The Sculptors' Cooperative is gaining momentum, in both it's structural and administrative development. I would encourage those of you who would like to help in its growth to consider becoming a hoard member Of joining one of the support committees. I would like to thank Ivan and Boris for their tireless and dedicated efforts in handling the ongoing business of the cooperative to date.
I also would like to express my appreciation to each of you who participated in our presentation at the 1996 Flower and Garden Show at the Seattle Convention Center. Our displays were enthusiastically received by the attending public and the professional design community.
Keep in touch!
Richard Hestekind
I wish for a happy and prosperous New Year for each of you, and it is my hope that we, as a community, experience abundance and opportunity with no limit.
As we begin this year, I would like to share a few reflections and thoughts that have surfaced. First, I would like to acknowledge the tireless and brilliant leadership that Vic Picou has provided, as President of the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association. We are at this level of success largely due to his dedication. Thankfully he continues on as a board member and administrator of our symposia. Thank you so much Victor!
Our membership has grown to such a number and our territory so broad that effective communication with each other is challenging at best. Our organization is inclusive of all the Northwest and Canada. Although the greatest concentratio.n is in the Puget Sound area, we need to address the interests of all our membership. I would ask each of you to give some thought as to how to more effectively open dialog with each other, as well as the membership at large. Please send thoughts to the NWSSA address.
I'm excited and encouraged by the momentwn and growth in membership and activity in the Portland area. Thanks so much to Thomas Miller for his dedicated efforts.
I'm especially thankful for the board members I have had the priviledge to serve with this term. I'm looking forward to the leadership and support they provide.
I also am grateful for the effective professional administrative support that R.B. Secretarial Service is providing.
Keep in touch! Thanks,
Richard Hestekind
