I returned last night from our annual Camp Brotherhood symposium. You will read more about the event in next issue of this journal, but it was every bit as good as I have come to expect. Each year is “best” in its own unique way, but this year certainly topped my personal list for the instruction, the number of attendees, the auction fundraising, and success of Saturday’s ArtWalk. One first-time attendee told me this was by far the most professionally run symposium he had seen.
Other first time attendees were “blown away” by the energy and supportiveness of the event and people. For those of us repeat offenders, it would be easy to take this for granted, except for the fact that today I am on an incredible sculpture high, and am upset that the real world is trying to intrude upon my time.
The board approved an exchange with the Carving Studio in West Rutland, Vermont next year, whereby we will send a NWSSA member to Vermont and they will send a Vermont carver to Camp B. Please call or write me if you are interested in being considered for this exchange. The requirements are 2 years attendance at Camp Brotherhood and a willingness to tell our story to carvers in Vermont. The membership also approved our participation in the Lake Oswego Arts Festival in 2004. We are collectively excited about both opportunities to meet new people and expand our infectious enthusiasm for stone sculpture.
Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator and protect your eyes.
It’s that time, as they say on Public Radio. I won’t go into the pledge drive analogy but suffice it to say we need your help. NWSSA depends on members to contribute time to the organization. Please take the time to read Georgia’s letter at right and think if you can help out with any of the Camp B organizing. Camp B is a unique artistic experience, don’t let it fall short due to lack of membership support. If you have the desire to help but are unsure how you fit into the organzation just let us know your abilities, we can use everyone’s help in some way. It’s important.
A quick reminder, our next BOD Meeting is scheduled for Camp Brotherhood. See the insert for all other Camp B events. September 3-7 is the Silver Falls workshop.
Entropy - the tendency to move from a state of higher energy to a state of lower energy. Sagging jowls or varicose veins are manifestations of the personal impact of entropy. Ultimately, a pile of ash will be the outcome of Ken vs. Entropy, and entropy will march on without having noticed. My only hope is that my influence might be noted in some of the other piles of ash around me, or that I will have left my mark in some medium more resistant to entropy.
As sculptors of stone, we must have some urge to fight entropy in a stronger way than most. Many people are satisfied merely with keeping dust off their dining room table, wax on the car, and paint on the house. But dust, wax and paint do not concern me (much to Adele’s chagrin). My personal challenge to entropy is expressed by converting 100-million year old stones into art.
An art professor once challenged a friend over why she had converted a one-ton travertine stone into a sculpture. It had taken months. Why had she not used Styrofoam instead to express her form? It would have only taken a day or two. Maybe it is color, or texture. Maybe it is even the effort of moving one ton around the studio that makes a stone form more exciting than foam. But I think also it has to do with wanting to make a bigger challenge to entropy.
Suz Gentiluomo and I were talking about entropy this week and she suggested a bumper sticker contest. “Down with Entropy.” “Just Say No to Entropy.” Send me your suggestions.
Carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator,
We are now in the “tween” period for the organization. It is likely that by the time you get this, we will have clebrated at our annual Holiday Party, and will have some new Directors on board. There is nothing to do but wait until Whidbey Island.
That is how I used to view it. Now I regularly get to talk to sculpting buddies, even when no event is imminent. Part of that is due to my role as President, which gives me a good excuse to talk to many of you. But the rest is due to my recognition that this does not have to be a symposium-only organization. I enjoy the support I get from fellow sculptors 12 months a year. The energy we all feel at the symposia seems to reside in each of us, every day.
What do you get from this organization? What do you want the NWSSA to grow up to be? We are working towards a survey of our members to determine which direction we should move as the group matures. Drop me a line if you have ideas about direction, or have questions you would like included in a survey.
In the mean time, carve well, have fun, and wear a good respirator,
