Stone carvers gather at Suttle Lake

There aren’t many permits being issued these days for the construction of vast cathedrals made of stone. There is, however, a need for skilled stone sculptors to do repairs on existing buildings around the world. And as the world watches the revival of the cathedral at Notre Dame, the focus will be on the artisans who bring it back to its former glory.

The United Methodist Suttle Lake Camp is set be the site of a gathering of stone carvers from the Northwest and beyond during the week of August 11. Organized by the Northwest Stone Sculptors Association, Oregon’s 25th Annual International Stone Carving Symposium is in its fifth year at the camp. It is a week of education, skill building, fellowship and ideas exchange. Participants and instructors hail from the Pacific Northwest, Canada, California, and from as far away as Norway and Iraq.

The symposium isn’t limited to experienced carvers. The NWSSA raises funds each year for scholarships for aspiring and student stone carvers. Novices are welcome to attend the event and tools are available for those who don’t have their own.

There is a meditative aspect to stone carving, despite the power tools and dust and scale of some of the pieces being created. During the symposium, the artists work outdoors, taking them out of their studios and into a collaborative, energetic experience.

“Stone carving is a subtractive method of sculpture,” said Doug Wiltshire, symposium director. “We find the sweet spot in stone by removing stone. And I think there’s going to be a resurgence of interest in what we do.”

The public is welcome to visit the symposium and see the carvers’ work on Saturday, August 17 from 1 to 5 p.m. The area near the lower parking area will have the projects on display. To get to the Suttle Lake Camp, head west toward Salem and turn left at the signs to the Suttle Lake Resort and campgrounds. The camp is on the left past the resort and there will be signs for the NWSSA Symposium.

For more information, go to http://www.nwssa.org.