30th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium
at Camp Pilgrim Firs, Port Orchard, WA
July 8th-15th 2017
at Camp Pilgrim Firs, Port Orchard, WA
July 8th-15th 2017
The Symposium
We invite you to join us at Camp Pilgrim Firs for up to eight full days of playing with stone, communing with nature, and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow stone enthusiasts. Bring yourself, your creative energy, your humor, tools, and a favorite piece of stone. If you don’t have stone or tools, we have an entire tent set up for beginners with tools and instructors.
The Camp provides cabins and lodges that are connected by walking paths through the forested grounds and three full meals a day, so you’ll have the ultimate freedom to delve into carving and making friends. Evenings are filled with slideshows, informational talks, a hoot of a fundraising auction, a music-filled final night party, campfires and even nighttime swims in the lake.
Stone and tools are available for purchase by our vendors.
Accommodations
The Camp has two lodges with shared common areas and bathrooms with multiple dorm-style rooms that sleep 3-4 people each. There are 11 duplex style cabins, each with private decks. For those who like to commune with nature, limited space is available for tents or campers.
Sculpture Walk on the Meadow Saturday, July 15th
We’ll host an outdoor art gallery that’s a perfect opportunity to show your work in a supportive and appreciative environment. We encourage everyone to bring a finished piece to display and to invite your friends! Bring pedestals if you have them. NWSSA takes a 20% commission.
Registration
Register online (below) or mail the attached form with payment to NWSSA, Attn: Cyra Jane, Symposium Director, PO Box 27364 Seattle, WA 98165
Guest Artists and Workshops
 |
Restoration of Stone and Bronze - Joanne Duby Joanne’s master techniques have been developed over decades of work as a professional stone carver and instructor, starting here in the Pacific Northwest. Her current studio is in Ventura, CA, and she will be bringing her passion for stone, wide range of skills, and vast knowledge of tips, tricks and hints restore your stone and bronzes, from gluing broken pieces and the removal of stains, to the sealing products that work on stone and bronze! |
 |
Direct Carving - James Horan Joining us from Ireland is James Horan. He will discuss with us direct carving; the artist works with the individual characteristics of each stone, feeling out forms and compositions, allowing the stone to inform the finished sculpture. James learned of this process while in art school and has been carving direct ever since. When he carves, sometimes he may have an idea ready in his mind and just starts carving. Sometimes he will set the stone up ready to work and just look at it while working on another piece. Having a stone ready allows him to see the stone, think about it and decide what to do with it. |
 |
Elegance in Jade - Deborah Wilson Acclaimed contemporary jade and granite sculptor, Deborah will be offering a workshop in jade-specific carving and techniques. Her work reflects her love for organic forms and her ongoing interest in utilizing the characteristics that define this “stone of heaven.” A good selection of precut Canadian and US jades will be for sale to create small scale sculpture and pendants. Class limit is 10 people, so register early and watch your registration confirmation for details. |
  |
Beginning Stone Sculpture - Ruth Mueseler and Tamara Buchanan Tamara has been sculpting for over 27 years. Featured in many shows throughout the West, her work has won several awards. She loves sharing the process of carving and has been teaching at her studio on Lopez Island for over 10 years |
Workshop and Event Schedule (subject to change)
| Workshop | Instructor | Days | Event | Facilitator | Evening | |
| Elegance in Jade | Deborah Wilson | Mon-Fri | Honoring Our History | Rich Hestekind | Sunday | |
| Direct Carving | James Horan | Sun-Sat | Artist Presentation | James Horan | Monday | |
| Carving Essentials | Joanne Duby | Sun-Sat | Artist Presentation | Joanne Duby | Tuesday | |
| Beginner's Stone Carving | Ruth Mueseler & Tamara Buchanan | Sun - Sat | General Assembly Meeting | Board of Directors | Wednesday | |
| Scholarship Auction | Al Mangold & Therese Dougherty | Thursday | ||||
| Dance Party! | You, Me & the DJ | Friday |
Our Vendors
Neolithic Stone - Carries a wide range of sculptural quality stones & tools from around the world. 604-736-5201 or www.neolithicstone.com.
Marenakos - For your granite, basalt, sandstone, and limestone needs. Also supplying Trow & Holden tools. www.marenakos.com or 425-392-3313.
Carolyn Anderson’s Magic Fingers - Restore Alignment and health to stressed muscles. 360-698-2198.
Bronzestone - Various sizes of polished granite bases. www.bronzestonebases.com
Washington Jade - Supplying West Coast jade for sale. www.washingtonjade.com
Field Mentors
Most of our members have years if not decades of experience and have worked with various types of stone. If you desire individual guidance or support, field mentors will be available. All parties gain from the experience of sharing information.
Financial Aid
Aid is available for work-study and scholarships. For information contact Cyra Jane, Symposium Director, at 206-406-0711 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Special Thanks
Marenakos, Concut Diamond Products, Master Wholesale
NEW Location!!
Pilgrim Firs Camp and Conference Center is located at 3318 SW Lake Flora Rd, Port Orchard, WA 98367
Work Study positions [Click Here to download form] and Scholarships [Click Here to download form] available!
To become a member of NWSSA - [Click Here]
To Renew your membership "Login" and click on "My Subscription" from the Member Menu on the right side or - [Click Here to Login]
To download a PDF of the registration form - [click here]
To download a PDF of the 2017 Brochure - [click here]
Members, Register Early & Save!! Early Bird Rate of $100 off for full-time attendees (including campers) who Sign up before 11:59pm May 31st
For Online Symposium registration, pick one of the following. Your transaction will be handled on Paypal's Secure Web Servers:
| The simplest choice: STAY ALL WEEK! Full Week Attendance (Before June 1st Choose EARLY BIRD RATES!) |
| Member - Partial Week Attendance |
Non-Member - Partial Week Attendance |
