Many thanks to fellow board member Paul Peterson for writing this profile of Kim.
Kim has been on the Board of the Stone Trust since 2014 and has earned both Level II and Instructor certifications from the DSWA of Great Britain. Kim has been observing and creating stone structures since moving to Pennsylvania in 2008. Drawing on her early career as an artist creating murals, Kim admired the stone work she observed in rural Pennsylvania and how the structures fit the landscape while performing useful functions as bridges and barriers. On a fateful Mother’s Day, Kim asked her two college-aged sons for a gift of stones. Working with the stones led Kim to the Stone Trust in Dummerston to learn more about the craft of dry-stone construction. Kim is currently pursuing her Level III certification, a challenging task that involves both a feature work and a timed-test for a retaining wall.
Kim is committed to/passionate about “growing the craft of dry-stone walling” as broadly as possible. As an Instructor, she leads an annual women’s introductory workshop through the Stone Trust based on four key concepts: creating a connecting process for women who are pursuing the craft, providing a retreat experience for the weekend, building camaraderie and self-confidence among the workshop participants, and assuring no one is left behind.
Kim, together with her husband, has hosted two dry stone workshops in Pennsylvania in 2019. They hope to have more workshops in the future, consistent with the Board’s efforts to expand opportunities for professionals and amateurs to learn dry-stone construction skills. Kim shares the Board’s vision for a future Stone Trust organization that sponsors many dry-stone workshops across North America.
Kim describes her joy of stone craft this way “I have an opportunity to create, work outside, have great exercise, and build with natural materials.” She sees the Dummerston facility as the “Mecca” of dry-stone walling in North America. Kim wants to see affiliated sites grow, thrive, and expand the public’s awareness of the options for building with dry stone. Everyone on the Board welcomes her participation and enthusiasm.
