PROGRAM SCHEDULE
The Rockland Stone Symposium is free and open to the public from 10am - 4pm daily.
Our Soft Stone Carving tent will run from 10am - 12pm and 2pm - 4pm daily.
In addition to our daily programming, the Maine Stone Workers Guild Education Fund is offering a variety of workshops and lectures available for sign-up below.
Stone Symposium Soirée: Benefit Party & Auction
MSWG Education Fund and Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership co-host a closing reception for the 2025 Rockland Stone Symposium.
In addition to our ongoing ONLINE AUCTION, live bidding take place at 6:15pm. Please plan to arrive in time if you would like to participate. Proceeds go to Hurricane Island, the MSWGEF and to the Symposium Artists.
Remarks by Robin McIntosh, Director of the Sail, Power, & Steam Museum.
Small plates, cash bar, and musical performance by Sam Lathrop.
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE HERE
LOCATION: Sail, Power, and Steam Museum Event Tent — 75 Mechanic Street, Rockland, ME 04841
PARKING: If able, please park along Mechanic street and walk down to the event tent.
Stone Carving Workshop
Learn how to carve Maine’s local stone.
Participants will learn how to use an angle grinder and diamond blade to cut into a small boulder, and refine the surface with a hammer and chisel. Techniques will be demonstrated for carving dishes, abstract forms, and figurative forms.
Everyone will go home with a hand-crafted stone object, along with the skills and acquaintance with the tooling to continue working on it should they so desire.
Tools, material, and safety equipment will be provided.
PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE HERE
The $150 cost of this three-hour workshop includes access to all tools and materials necessary. If cost is a barrier, please email mainestoneworkers@gmail.com for our sliding scale policy.
DETAILS:
When: July 23rd, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Where: Snow Marine Park, Rockland, Maine 04841
Parking: Please park up on Mechanic Street and walk down to the Symposium site
*Photograph courtesy of Penobscot Marine Museum
Hurricane Island Excursion
An excursion to Hurricane Island for a tour led by MSWG founder, Norman Casas, to learn about the history of the company town that founded the island, see remnants of equipment left behind, and a site-visit to the quarry.
Making a Work of Art With a Point Chisel & Hammer
Using only a point chisel and hammer, Guild members will demonstrate how to carve a designs into a chunk of stone. Participants will then have the opportunity to apply the instructed techniques toward making their own work of art. This workshop is largely self-guided.
Carving a Mortar & Pestle
Learn how to carve a mortar and pestle with Maine’s local stone. Tools, safety equipment, and material are available for rental. Please inquire if you would like an equipment list to purchase items in advance.
This one-hour workshop is being offered for $50. If cost is a barrier, please email mainestoneworkers@gmail.com for our sliding scale policy.
Letter Carving with Sigrid Coffin (Morning Session)
Sigrid Coffin is a Lettercutter in Stone who has been working professionally for 14 years at her studio in Belfast, Maine. She is one of a handful of people continuing the craft of carving hand-drawn letters using a chisel and a hammer. This centuries old technique is a beautiful method to carve into slate; a stone with a fine grain that shows letters beautifully. Join her for a two-hour tutorial where you will be able to draw and carve a letter or number and experience the satisfaction of hand letter cutting!
Building With Load-Bearing Stone
Join us for a demonstration and conversation around the unexpected structural advantages and carbon-negative methods of building with stone today. Free and open to the public
How to Carve a Bird Bath with Sam Finkelstein
Learn how to carve a birdbath with Maine’s local stone. Tools, safety equipment, and material are available for rental. Please inquire if you would like an equipment list to purchase items in advance.
This three-hour workshop is being offered for $150. If cost is a barrier, please email mainestoneworkers@gmail.com for our sliding scale policy.
Opening Reception
The launch reception for the 2025 Rockland Stone Symposium. Will include some remarks from Hurricane Island Center for Science and Leadership and the Maine Stone Workers Guild.
Light refreshments will be available.
Collaborating with Geologic Time (at Ash Point Preserve)
Guild member and artist Sam Finkelstein leads a workshop off-site in partnership with the Langlais Art Preserve on how to think through making sculpture as a collaboration with the natural environment.