California Sculptors Symposium (CSS) is an annual, week-long program of workshops and demonstrations given by sculptors for sculptors. Intimate hands-on sessions with expert instructors will improve your technique, inspire your designs, and build your expertise. Participants return to CSS year after year to share their passion for working with stone, wood, metal, clay, and more. It’s a place to learn, exchange ideas, and recharge your creative batteries for both the novice and the seasoned artist.
2026 Instructor & Workshop information
Figurative Clay
Alexander S. Peter is a traditional figurative sculptor. He holds degrees from the New York Academy of Art and the California College of Arts and Crafts. Alexander has participated in group shows in New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area and in public art installations in Bristol England. Alexander has taught Sculpture and Artistic Anatomy for local Bay Area colleges and cultural institutions. He is also a former Chair of the Richmond Arts and Culture Commission and a current member of the Richmond Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee of Richmond California. Alexander is also a Diabetes Advocate and Endurance Cyclist. Alexander works on fine and public art projects and commissions.
Workshop: Focusing on gesture
This workshop will give you an understanding of the structural and anatomical underpinnings of the human figure and the knowledge to transform small quick studies into more developed, larger finished sculptures. We will work small but with a larger mindset, focusing on joints to create lines of action that create powerful silhouettes and get a viewer’s eyes to move around our sculptures. The goal is to help you make larger finished works that maintain the spontaneity and fluidity of smaller quick studies.
Inflatables
Amy Brown (born 1982, Marks, Mississippi) is a teacher and soft sculptor working primarily in fabric and found materials. She lives and works in the Bay Area. Amy views fabric as a comforting medium that allows the viewer to let their guard down and enjoy before interpreting, making her work especially accessible to children and people with limited art experience. Her fabric works include small sculpture, embroidered notes, mixed media installations and quilts.
Workshop: Inflatable Sculpture
Learn how to manipulate plastic into air-filled sculptures using heat, sewing and adhesive, along with various inflation and surface design techniques.
Stone Carving
A visual artist, collaborative curator, and arts organizer, Brian Barreto (b. Milwaukee, WI) has exhibited in the United States and Europe. After apprenticeships in Germany and the US, he furthered his studies at the University of WI. Brian hosts the Alluvial Project, an artist-run gallery, forum, and working sculptural Artist-in-Residency program in Rinconada, New Mexico. He serves on the board of the Taos Abstract Artist Collective and is an Artist Facilitator for the Mid-America Arts Alliance. He is represented by the Alluvial Project and Sun & Dust in Santa Fe.
Workshop: Speed up your Carving with Negative Thinking
The aim of this workshop is to effectively remove material in the quickest amount of time, while still providing flexibility in case of breakage or a change of heart. Targeted for the beginner, although helpful for intermediate or advanced carvers, this workshop will show you how to quickly identify waste/negative space and get to the more interesting aspects of carving– moving away from the dreaded ‘potato phase’ post-haste!. Bring a maquette or a few photo references if you have something specific in mind. I will also teach methods for direct carving which do not require an advanced plan.
For more information about the workshop, check out the CSS website: https://californiasculptorssymposium.org/
Options:
Plan A – on-site lodging, activities, meals, and all instruction – $1,330
* Plan A increases by $100 after March 13th, 2026Plan B – off-site lodging, all activities, meals plus all instruction – $1,230
* Plan B increases by $100 after March 13th, 2026Plan C – day rate includes 1 night’s lodging, 3 meals, and all instruction – $280
Full payment is due upon registrationPlan D – day rate – off-site lodging, 3 meals and all instruction – $250
Full payment is due upon registrationPlan E – work study rate with onsite lodging, all meals and activities – $650
(work study artists must be approved by symposium director) Do not submit a registration without prior approval from symposium director. Please reach out to stephanie@stephanierobison.com before registering.Plan F – work study rate with off site lodging, all meals and activities – $650
(work study artists must be approved by symposium director) Do not submit a registration without prior approval from the Board. Please reach out to stephanie@stephanierobison.com before registering.
Don’t miss out! Enter in coupon code payinfull to receive 10% off your Plan A or B registration. Guests must pay in full upon registration to receive the discount. Discount expires on January 13th, 2026. This cannot be combined with any other discounts.
A non-refundable deposit of $250 is required for the weeklong plans and the balance is due at least 30 days (03/13/2026). No refunds available after 03/13/2026. Participants are welcome and encouraged to protect their purchase through travel insurance. Camp has vetted multiple companies to choose the best option for you. To learn more and purchase travel insurance, please follow this link: https://atc.tripassure.com/main/. This is not a requirement for attendance.
Have questions about the instructors or general symposium questions email
Jennifer at cssjencrump@gmail.com
Need help with registration, please contact Camp Ocean Pines at admin@campoceanpines.org or call 805-927-0254