The Art of Stone

Thea Alvin -- Instructor

The Philosophy:

Rocks are the earth. They are old, they store secrets, and tell them to those who can listen. We will gather stones together, listen, converse about which is next and which direction is best and which side is up. And we will turn natural chaos into a pattern...an order. We will see each rock’s flavor and individual essence be given up as it becomes part of a more massive energy when assembled with others. The resulting sculpture, the structure, is then a place for you to come to hear that conversation or to have one of your own, now that the voices of the stones, once small and individual, are bigger, and can be more easily heard by the weight of their combined strength.

Suggested Reading:

Sacred Gardens by Michel and Judy Marcellot (available at www.sevenarrowsfarm.com (http://www.sevenarrowsfarm.com/Sacred%20Gardens_Our%20Book.htm)

Things to Bring:

•  Work gloves

•  Stone or brick hammer

•  Unlined notebook and pens/pencils

•  Clothes to get dirty in

•  Eye protection

Steel toe boots are a good idea but not mandatory. At a minimum, sturdy work boots are a must.

Also, bring pictures, sketches, and ideas for you own projects and sites.

Rough Course Outline

Sunday 5PM Orientation to Yestermorrow, dinner, Introductory slideshow

Monday AM Introduction to materials and techniques

PM Messing with stone, Q & A period

EVE Free

Tuesday AM Stone stacking

PM Wooden form work slideshow 3-5 pm

EVE Review students' projects, plans, etc.

Wed. AM Work on the wall

PM Sculpture play

EVE Free

Thursday AM Work on the wall

PM Sculpture play, Q & A period

EVE BBQ on campus and Entertainment

Friday AM Arch building

PM Birth of the Arch, Q & A period

EVE Graduation and Dinner