photo courtesy of The Salty Fishbowl (Stephanie Rhodes)

March Feature Article:

http://saltyfishbowl.com/featured/march-feature-gerda-lattey-sculptor

Running a Not-for-Profit Arts Organization

Given my new posting at the helm of the NWSSA of late, I've been thinking about just what it takes to successfully run an organization like this. The inclusivity of this organization is paramount. That is, you want to have a healthy team of new learners, old masters, younger generation, older mindset, hobbyists, professionals, and everything in between. On a personal level, I want to see people know what-it-is-we-do so they can make an educated choice about whether they want to be involved in the world of stone sculpture either through the means of "hands on" or by supporting this brand of art monetarily. How can we be successful at this? Here are some thoughts:

• By running exciting symposia that nurture the spirit of stone carving by educating, inspiring, and opening doors both metaphorically and academically.
• By having art shows that offer diversity in size, skill level, and content, support challenging ideas, communicate processes, are well thought out, and stunningly publicized.
• By raising the profile of our professionals through international, regional, and national means.
• By creating buying power within our organization.
• By nurturing "out of the box" thinking that offers insight to those outside our community and creates a fun outlet for those wishing to communicate with alternate means.
• By enabling volunteers to contribute time with relative ease in a streamlined fashion.
• By never forgetting that it is our generosity that makes us rare.

I welcome dialogue..

It's Been a While..

I'm not promoting anything sculptural at this particular moment, other than Camp Brotherhood Carving Symposium. Its a wonderful, inclusive retreat for "every level" carver. Great place to go and get recharged full of good ideas and renew your focus. "Assault on Basalt" was an amazing ride. I came home charged up and ready to focus (consistent "focus" is an issue for me) and an in-depth knowledge of this amazing region, geologically speaking. That and a deep respect for basalt and the in depth knowledge of how to carve the stuff. Here is a photo of my latest work "Theoretica" - Italian Marble with a carved granite base..

Hello to those interested in dropping by the "Assault on Basalt" workshop starting on May the 1st through to the 5th . Anyone is welcome to drop by and observe (bring eye/ear and respiratory protection if you can) and - note the schedule below for times of interest. Day cost is 50.00- including evening talks etc is 100.00

here is a google map link - I will have signage up. The location is on Trout Lodge Road just off Hwy 17 between Moses and Soap Lake.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=118091224569964262504.0004680ea69fb196c16fe&ll=68.39918,-161.015625&spn=169.315452,360&z=1

Assault on Basalt- Special Guests

Regarding the Basalt Workshop- Below are two guests that will be speaking on Friday May 1 and Saturday May 2 (see "schedule" for more information). We also have a Naturalist Amy McDougall of Dry Falls speaking on the Sunday, as well as Geologist and Archaeologist Mark Amara who will take us on a field trip of the surrounding area on the last day.

Steve Reidel PhD -Dr. Reidel has been studying the geology of the Pacific Northwest for the past 32 years.  He has worked on the geology, hydrogeology and seismic hazards of the Pacific Northwest for the past 28 years and is a recognized expert on flood-basalt volcanism and tectonics of the Pacific Northwest.  He recently retired from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and is now on the research faculty of Washington State University.  In addition he teaches geology at the WSU-Tricities campus.

Sean Hess PhD – Dr. Hess has been a professional archaelogist since1989. He has taught anthropology at Washington State University, Mount Hood Community College, and Big Bend Community College and has directed projects in California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Utah, and Montana. Sean received his PhD in 1997 and has worked for consulting firms and government agencies throughout the West since that time, while additionally serving as the Tribal Archaeologist for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. He currently has taken a post at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, where he is the Grand Coulee Office Archaeologist.

 

May Workshop Schedule

May Basalt Workshop Schedule-

This schedule is intended as an experiential package for dialogue, demonstration and discussion amongst intermediate/ master level attendees of the May workshop. Our intent is to include (as a full package immersive) components that absorb attendees in mind-bending locational geological history in juncture with diversely skilled leading instructors, regional experts, and teachers in the fields of geology, archaeology, anthropology and natural history. In order for us all to achieve a personalized optimum experience during this 5 day intensive, we need to know what your expectations are while you are attending. If you have anything to add, notice omissions, or have questions regarding this workshop: please contact Gerda and let her know.stonewaterstudio@gmail.com or call- 250-537-1526

· Rates: April 30 – May 5 - 475.00

· Day only rate- 9- 5 (no amenity use) 50.00

· Full Per day rate/ 100.00

Thursday April 30-

· The Set up- Arrive –Check in and set up in the afternoon/early evening. Dinner & Campfire

Friday May 1

· 10- 10:45 am- Introduction, Safety talk, Land, Region, Respect talk with Tony Kaufmann.

· 10:45- 11:15- Attendees choose and select stone

· 11:15 –12:30 Group Discussion and Demonstration- Process 1- The Transportation and Unloading of Basalt with Scott Hackney from Marenakos Rock Center out of Seattle. Anthony Kaufmann, Richard Hestekind, and Tom Small will also join in and expound upon– rigging, referencing, collecting, as well as choosing handling, and moving basalt.

· 1230-1:15 – Lunch

· 1:15- 3:00 Continuation of the Transportation and Unloading of Basalt with Scott Hackney, Tom Small, Anthony Kaufmann and Richard Hestekind.

· 3pm – 5:00 Free Carve

· 5pm- 6:30 Preparation and Dinner (subsequent cleanup)

· 6: 30 to 8:30 -Basalt Talk with Geologist Steve Reidel- “Columbia River basalt: the inner and outer beauty from a geology perspective.”

Saturday May 2

· 7- 9 am Breakfast prep and Coffee (subsequent cleanup)

· 9 am Safety talk

· Process 2- Roughing out

· 9:15- 10:45- Feathers and Wedges- Richard Hestekind

· 10:45- 12:15- Hand Tool Demonstration and Talk with Anthony Kaufmann and Richard Hestekind

· 12:15- 1:15- Lunch prep and cleanup

· 1:15- 3:15 - Diamond chainsaw demonstration and brainstorming ideas, process discussion with Tom Small.

· 3:15 to 5:15 Free Carve

· 5:15 to 6:30 Dinner prep and Cleanup

· 6:30 to 8:30pm- "Archaeology talk with Sean Hess - Traditional Interior Salish Views of Art and Stoneworking”

Sunday May 3

· 7-9 Breakfast Prep and Cleanup

· 9am Safety Talk

· Process 3 - Into the stone

· 9:15- 10:15- Core Drilling Demonstration and Discussion with Tom Small and Richard Hestekind.

· 10:15- 11:15 -Kerf/ Fret cutting Demonstration and Discussion with Tony Kaufmann.

· 11:15- 12:15- Detailing Basalt Demo and Dialogue with Tom, Anthony, and Richard.

· 12:15- 1:15- Lunch prep and cleanup

· 1:15 – 2:15- Continuation of Detailing Talk

· 2:15- 6:15 -Surface Development with Pneumatics- Demonstration and Discussion with Tony, Richard and Tom

· 6:15 – 7:45- Dinner supplied by Gerda- BYOP (plates!)

· Evening Chat- Industrial Relationship &, Design- discussion with Richard Hestekind

Monday May 4

· 7- 9am Breakfast prep and clean up

· 9 am Safety Talk

· Process 4- Refining of Basalt- The Final Surface with Anthony Kaufmann, Tom Small and Richard Hestekind.

· 9:15 12:15 - Pinning, stone stabilization, gluing and Repairs- Demo and dialogue.

· 12:15 – 1:15- Lunch prep and cleanup

· 1:15 – 4:30 - Sandblasting, bushing, chisel texturing, exotic chisels, flaming – and the Timelessness of Polishing- lead by Anthony Kaufmann

· 4:30 – 5:45 Naturalist talk w/ Amy McDougall

· 5:45- 6:30 Dinner and cleanup

· 6:30 on --Free Carve

Tuesday May 5

· Process 6 - Finally

· 7- 9 Breakfast and cleanup

· 9- 10 am Sealers and Maintenance- Group Discussion with Tony, Tom and Richard

· 10 to 11:30 Pack up and clean up –pack a bag lunch for Field trip with Geologist and Archaelogist Mark Amara

· Come back in the afternoon for load up and departure.

In addition-This seems like a full load and it is. There will be time for hands on working and exploration of Basalt at this workshop. Generators will be turned off during demonstrations and discussions but will be turned on at ever other available opportunity including evenings after dinner and afternoons when scheduled process component discussions have been completed.

Richard Hestekind's work at the Bardessono Hotel- CA

Jim Ballard kindly sent me these wonderful images that he took of Richard Hestekind's inspiring and extensive installation at the Bardessono Hotel and Spa complex in Yountville, CA. California and it is with great pride that I share them to you. Rich is one of our three instructors at the Assault on Basalt workshop in May of this year. This is just one of nine installations at the complex that Richard did..

Richard Hestekind- Sculptor

Richard Hestekind’s considerable experience in the sculpture community is confirmed by his commitment as a teacher, as a leader, and as a successful businessman. His resources draw on many aspects of his extensive training and international travel. With roots in Japan and the United States, Rich’s work reflects his contemplative nature and intrinsic depth. He creates interconnected environments for his extensive clientele base by uniting his iconic sculptures into the landscapes he designs. He is a massive water feature specialist with a significantly varied and many layered stone carving history, revealing a man with a patient knowledge and genuine dedication to his craft

Anthony Kaufmann- Sculptor

Anthony Kaufmann has potent focus, and often works by meticulously composing stone– combining layers of onyx, or marble, and basalt to form monumentally interactive pieces that leave the viewer in awe of their vast intricacy. His sculptures weave complex threads, stories from far away -the cosmos, ancient Greek mythology and historical art. He combines these threads with tales intrinsically closer to home- family, cycles of life, and cataclysmic geology. Anthony’s history with carving stone originated with basalt. For Anthony, the beauty of columnar basalt in conjunction with central Washington’s incredible geological history offers him unrivaled inspiration, shaping the core of his being, reflecting in the strength of his work.

*photo by Brandon Casazza