President’s Message – January 2026

The start of a new year makes it easy to think big. Personally, I’m trying to concentrate more on the little things. 

It’s easy for me to get caught up in big ideas, then get frustrated. It’s a bit like SOME people’s relationship with New Year’s resolutions. 😉

This year I am starting small. Focusing step-by-step. Letting each action carry me into the next – being less concerned about the big “important” goal at the end. I’ll get there.

I say that because over the last year, that’s what Pacific NW Sculptors has done. There was no big “reveal”. We didn’t invent some new material or revolutionize the world of sculpting in our region. But bit-by-bit, person by person, we connected with each other. We inspired each other with audacious work. We found synchronicity at play. We adapted as the world changed, and changed again, with new board members finding their feet and new members stepping up.

This gradual work has added up, bringing us here:

2026 Member Shows and/or Demo’s

• Portland Winter Lights Festival (February)
• Portland Home & Garden Show (February/March)
• Gathering of the Guilds (April)
• Cascadia Fine Arts Festival (May) formerly the Troutdale Art & Music Festival
• Vancouver Arts & Music Festival (August)
• PNWS Member Show at Art at the CAVE (November)

Plus the monthly Sculpture Conversations continue online, along with studio visits and potlucks.

The annual camping trip this year will be in the greater Portland area, focusing on learning from each other and exploring different creative options in a primitive setting.

As usual, the most up-to-date source of details is on the ACTIVITIES tab. The calendar provides “at a glance” dates and times. You can also down to see more detailed descriptions of upcoming events by scrolling down below the calendar.

As Andy Kennedy, long-time member and former president reminds me, PNWS is what we make it. What do YOU want to make it? To get involved in any of these events, add a comment below. If you’d like to pose new ideas, let’s talk.

Meanwhile, I wish you the time and space to focus on the little things.