BLOOMINGTON, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the second consecutive year, Indiana Limestone Company has proudly sponsored the Canadian Stone Carving Festival, held July 21-24 in Ottawa. Sculptors and stone carvers from Canada, the United States, and Europe took part in the event, which encourages public interaction with artists as they create unique works in stone using traditional methods.
Indiana Limestone Company provided premium stone from its historic central Indiana quarries for the carvers to use in their work.
The festival was held in the Canadian capital to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Canada’s confederation. The city is an especially apt venue because of its rich history of stone carving and the many superb examples of the art to be seen on Parliament Hill.
The event was modeled on European stone carving festivals. Each carver worked from a cubic-foot block of stone – 7-1/2" x 7-1/2" x 15". They used only hand tools to create a work of art, in most cases during just 18 or 20 hours during the festival.
Works produced over the weekend were offered at auction, with proceeds benefiting Ottawa Innercity Ministries.
Festival officials and participants have praised the versatility and high quality Indiana Limestone provides. The state’s native limestone is noted for its characteristic ability to accept carved detail.
“Continuing our support of this event is a source of great pride for us, especially as it puts our stone in the hands of outstanding carvers from around the world,” said Duffe Elkins, Indiana Limestone Company COO. “We’ve hoped from the start that demonstrating the qualities of our stone will encourage artists and artisans to use it even more widely.”
For more on the Indiana Limestone Company and its products, visit indianalimestonecompany.com.
About Indiana Limestone Company
Indiana Limestone Company is unmatched as the premier supplier of Indiana limestone in a range of beautiful and lasting building products. Founded in 1926 (with predecessor firms that had been quarrying limestone since the mid-1800s), ILCO today remains the provider of choice for this internationally renowned natural stone. Throughout an illustrious history in which its stone has made such iconic structures as the Empire State Building, National Cathedral, and the Pentagon, ILCO has reliably provided the highest quality products and services carefully tailored to the needs of the market with an environmental, natural focus.
