The STONE FOUNDATION came into being in 1986 with a stonemasonry workshop in northern New Mexico. The title, an irresistible pun, was used to identify the group of friends and fellow stonemasons who comprised the team of instructors: George Gonzalez from California, Joe Kenlan from North Carolina, Tomas Lipps of New Mexico and Toru Oba from Virginia. Sixteen novices were introduced to the craft during the course of a two week "apprenticeship." Worthy projects, dry stone retaining walls and a spring house, were accomplished. As well as basic skills the novices gained an understanding of the fundamentals and an appreciation of some of the finer points of structural stone work.

Seven workshops have followed over a ten year period—in New Mexico, California, Ohio, South Carolina, Oregon, and Mallorca, Spain. The success of these workshops and the camaraderie experienced by the participants led to the concept of a symposium of stonemasons.

There is an organization known as ABANA, the Artist/Blacksmith Association of North America. which was launched at a symposium of metalworkers—artisans and sculptors—which took place at Fire Mountain, GA in 1976. Currently it has grown to have an international membership of more than 4,500 and a quarterly publication, The Anvil’s Ring, which serves to connect and inform those involved with metal work.

Obviously something similar would benefit the craft of stone work and its adherents. An event was envisioned during which fellow stone masons (and others in related fields) from all over the country will have the opportunity to meet, to socialize and to discuss the craft; an event that would engender a structured, nationwide organization [with international associations] which will serve to connect and inform an extensive membership—the modern version of a medieval craft guild with a periodical publication, a directory of professional practitioners, educational resources, an on-line forum, information clearinghouse, and book shop, subsequent gatherings and eventually, perhaps, a physical center.

This vision remained a vision for years until late in 1999 when, energized by the contemporaneous millennial zeal, perhaps, the initiative was finally taken to realize it.

STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2000 was planned and publicized and came to pass—with remarkable and spirited success—in November 2000. About 80 or more advocates and practitioners of the craft convened and communed in Santa Fe New Mexico and THE STONE FOUNDATION was formally launched. Its stated mission: "to preserve and perpetuate the traditions and the craft of structural stone work."

Metaphorically, THE STONE FOUNDATION has been the nexus of a network which has formed and which continues to grow and evolve ; a network by means of which communication occurs, information is exchanged and appreciation is nurtured.

update - December 7, 2008:

Much of what was envisioned at the outset has been realized.

(1) Eight issues of the Stone Foundation's highly regarded periodical publication STONEXUS Magazine have been published and distributed and a ninth is in production phase.

(2) A website, www.stonefoundation.org an informative and articulate public interface, has been established and continues to evolve.

(3) Another website, http://thestonefoundation.ning.com/, aka STONEMAD, functions as a stonework network, a forum where Stone Foundation members, current and prospective, can meet, display photographs and engage in discussions about various aspects of the craft.

(4) The two MEMBER DIRECTORIES at this website, one for Stonemasons and another for Associate Members (Architects, Artists, Suppliers, Quarries, Tool merchants, etc.) have made those listed, whether individuals or business interests, accessible to a wider public.

The directory listings are proved to be successful in generating not only contacts, but commissions and sales.

(5) A total of eight annual gatherings have been successfully organized and taken place. The seventh, INTERNATIONAL STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2007, was the first one to take place outside the United States on the Island of Mallorca, off the east coast of Spain. In 2010 both a summer and a winter Symposium are being planned.

STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2009 is being planned for the end of summer. It will be somewhat of a "mini-Symposium" (plus the Second Lithic Olympics) because STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2010 will not take place until February of that year in a southern location (as will subsequent annual gatherings it that works out as hoped.)

(6) The need for an hands-on Training Component was soon recognized and the fourth annual gathering, STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2004 was the occasion of two workshops, a stonemasonry workshop and a stone carving workshop.

STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2006 included a dry stone walling workshop (5 instructors and 28 students).

INTERNATIONAL STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2007 included a dry stone walling workshop in the type of wall construction characteristic of the island.

STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2008 included three training sessions: a Dry Stone Walling Workshop, a Stone Letter Carving workshop and a Traditional Lime Mortar Workshop.

A committee has been formed to plan the Stone Foundation's training program and more workshops are being planned, as well as a "Elements of Stonemasonry, a Best Practices Manual" to be written by a team of Stone Foundation stonemasons.

(7) The Stone Foundation has been functioning as an information clearinghouse and an agent of referral since its establishment in November 2000.

(8) An on-line bookshop has been considered and may or may not come to pass, but we plan to compile an extensive bibliography of relevant publications.

(9) The Stone Foundation is on the lookout for a physical center, a quarry would be most appropriate, one no longer in use that might serve as a "campus" and headquarters for the society. Suggestions are welcome.

(10) Following STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM 2005, The Stone Foundation underwent structural remodeling, adapting the conventional form of a nonprofit corporation with 501(c)3 status; By-Laws, a Board of Trustees, a Chairman a Secretary and Treasurer. The goal was to guide the Stone Foundation's continuing evolution into an entity which will best benefit the craft of stonework and its advocates. The Board and its officers made considerable progress before afflictions characteristic of non-profits took effect and ruptured the board. The Stone Foundation survived though, as stone foundations will, in a unconventional form that preserves its original spirit which is more communal than corporate.

At the 2006 general membership meeting it was affirmed that non-profit status was not—at least at this time—desirable. At the General Membership Meeting, Tomas Lipps, the Stone Foundation's 'Founder and Fearless Figurehead' was directed to continue to do as he has been doing since 2000, editing, producing and distributing STONEXUS Magazine, organizing the annual STONEWORK SYMPOSIUM and managing the office. He was directed to establish a for-profit entity and use the proceeds at his discretion to accomplish those tasks. Any income remaining would be considered fair reimbursement for what has become, for him, a full-time job.

Accordingly, Stonexus Productions, LLC has been established. This is the 'business arm' of the Stone Foundation and exists in a mutually supportive relationship to the Stone Foundation community which remains, as always, a membership organization. As the Director of The Stone Foundation, Tomas, with the assistance of a Advisory Council, a Privy Council, and various volunteers, works to guide the evolution of the organization and realize its mission.

STONE FOUNDATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
Doug Bachli, Stone Quarrier, Colorado
Blair Bates, Restoration Masonry Contractor, Kalamazoo, Michigan
Bill Braswell, Masonry Contractor, Delaware
John Burnell, Dry Stone/Restoration Mason, Ohio
Michel Giannesini, stonemason, Le Drome, France
George Gonzalez, Stonemason/Contractor, California
Frank Kane, Water Feature Design/Installation, Illinois
Vince Lee, Architect, Colorado
Patrick McAfee, Stonemason/Author, Ireland
Timothy Smith, Stonemason/Contractor, New York
Miguel Ramis, Stonemason/Stone Carver/Instructor, Mallorca, Spain
Richard Rhodes, Stone Supplier/Author, Washington
Richard Thacker, Stonemason, Georgia
Jayne Uhlir, Memorial Stone Restoration Contractor, Colorado
Bobby Watt, Restoration Stonemason/Contractor, Ontario, Canada
Jane Wooley, Landscape Architect, administrator, Kentucky

STONE FOUNDATION PRIVY COUNCIL
George Gonzalez
Patrick McAfee
Timothy Smith
Bobby Watt

THE STONE FOUNDATION is more than an organization. We are a community. The core constituency may be artists and artisans, but anyone involved with or interested in stone, stone work or stone art is invited to join us. Please pass the word about the Stone Foundation to others who might be interested.

p.s. Stone Foundation membership is tied to subscription is measured in issues of the magazine (2) rather than, that is to say, NOT months (12.) And STONEXUS Magazine is only available to Stone Foundation members.

This will change—someday. Eventually subscription and membership will be separated and subscribers will be able to receive the magazine without having to become members and pay the full membership fee. Unfortunately that is not possible at this time; only by charging the full membership fee is there enough money generated to produce, print and distribute the magazine. When the arbitrary figure of 1,000 member/subscribers (currently we're at about 500) has been reached, the change can, and will, be made.