We will always be more than what we think we are. More than what we can measure, define, value or digitize. Even while we keep finding more ways to quantify ourselves and our world, there will always be something unseen, unexpected, nuanced and absurd beyond definition about our existence. This elusive human experience can be crafted into a sharable form called art. Sculptures can be vessels for our mysteries, holding space for those in-between-not-quite-grasped experiences. Objects substantial and dimensional, but mysterious embody the paradox of being and non-being at once. 
(artwork by PNWS Member Julian Voss-Andreae)
PNWS is a vessel for a variously, defined substance: Call it community, collaboration, a space where our unique offerings are recognized. That space can be expanding into new mediums for connection, with the goal of making it more accessible and inclusive for all people that want to join PNWS, no matter how remote you are geographically, or how eccentric your art may seem. All the more so because the further afield you go with your art, you are inevitably making more space for others to join in.
Inspired participants of PNWS International Sculpture Day 2023
Alisa Looney is the champion of inclusion for PNWS, and the continual recipient of the PNWS Volunteer of the Year award. For International Sculpture Day 2023 this year Alisa embodied a Goddess of the Trees persona, walking with a motley crew of living sculpture-people, through downtown Portland last Saturday, while wishing awestruck pedestrians, “Happy International Sculpture Day!” Alisa is the host of our monthly online meet-up (now on the Microsoft Teams app) happening second Wednesdays at 7PM. Look for an email invite with a link, but make sure you first download the free app for Teams. As I wrote in the last newsletter, “Digital technology seems to be both a solution and a challenge for our group, hand in hand with the need for more volunteerism and education about what’s happening and what’s needed.” That was in reference to adopting new online meeting software. We are no longer using Zoom, switching to Microsoft Teams. Thanks to out Meetings Chairperson, Bob Deasy, for recognizing and guiding us with that very practical decision. Teams is free, Zoom had a cost. Multiple meetings can be lead by many Members using Teams, and we have direct access to PNWS files within other Microsoft apps; Zoom did not have those features. Our journey into more digital connectivity continues with expanding knowledge and use of Social Media. In a one on one meeting today with PNWS Member, Shelly Durica-Laiche (AKA Indio metal Arts). Shelly created our Instagram account: 777 followers to date! https://www.instagram.com/pnwsculptors/ 
I learned it will be worthwhile to “boost” our Instagram posts about the upcoming sculpture shows like Into the Depths https://pnwsculptors.org/the-pnws-newport-group-show-into-the-depths-is-june-3-through-july-30-2023/ showing at Newport Visual Arts Center (June through July 2023). We should always add hashtags to posts, and comment on other art. Algorithms love networking, and lots of little connections can add up. I’m coming to the fact, Social media is THE medium for the artists to be seen by the world. Ultimately a balance is struck between our digital presence with the directly personal relationships that I have with people like Julian, Alisa and Shelly. An acceleration of information entangled with the hearts of friends and family, this is the adventure and the anchorage which can take us forward into the unknown, sharing our discoveries through art and community. +++Andy Kennedy