Indiana Limestone Symposium

03/23/2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVt92Ljb3-I

A master lettercutter is determined to pass the magic of her craft to the next generation.---The Alphabeticians follows a turning point in the life of Lida C...

03/21/2026

Looking for another way to support us? Check out how to become a member and the perks that come with!

03/21/2026

There’s still plenty of time to sign up for this year’s symposium!!

02/17/2026

Winthrop Footes Tomb (Bedford, Indiana)
I was long fascinated by this tomb in the woods that was all by itself. It looks like something out of the ancient world, and the story of the man inside it was nothing less impressive: he was one of the founders of Bedford itself. A county legend.

I took over four months studying Winthrop Foote’s life, a highly intelligent man that was both a lawyer and a doctor. He swam across the White River to help patients on the other side, and saved an entire town from a mysterious deadly disease. He also founded the Lawrence County limestone industry. He was an absolute living legend in his time.

In making the three films about his life, I made many friends at the Lawrence County history Museum, and consulted with author Brian Turpen. Brian was a relative I didn’t know existed, and the leading authority on Winthrop Foote. Armed with the best information possible, I was fully prepared to tell a hero story, and then I hit a wall.

After Winthrop’s son died, the legend faltered. He became an alcoholic and left his wife of many years for a younger woman. He bought a casket for himself that cost the equivalent of a house. His own son sued him and called him incompetent, accused him of losing it. Winthrop even paid a man to cut a tomb out of a single piece of limestone, at great expense. Everything that was ever good about him seemed like it burned to ashes.

What was I supposed to do with this story? I had spent months learning to really like this man and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to insult the residents of Lawrence County, but it was an incredible story that might never be told again. I contacted my Lawrence County history museum friend Joyce for advice. “Just tell the truth, people will get it.”

I completed the screenplay, painting a heroes rise and fall, ending with the sentiment of one of Winthrop’s friends and fellow Dr: “He was only human.” I published the video and people got it, not a single person was mad at me. Sometimes we put people on pedestals when they’re just as human as we are. Sometimes we look at “perfect” people and put ourselves down a little, thinking we’re not as good, smart or strong. But in the end, we’re all just visitors here for a little while, making mistakes as we go. For me, it was more than learning history, it was learning acceptance, and one of the best projects I’ve ever done.

01/15/2026

Stone carving demos on "Capitol Day" for the IAHE (Indiana Association of Home Educators). Kids were lined up all day trying their hand at carving! ⚒️
Special thanks to fellow carver, Larry Robertson!
The ILS offers classes in June for adults and children. I'll be back to teach adult hand carving, so go to LimestoneSymposium.org for more info, or send me a dm if you're interested in private lessons in Indianapolis.

01/05/2026

Let’s make some dust together!

12/14/2025

We are approaching the year-end deadline for our event pricing; register now to secure this year's rates and carve with us!
www.limestonesymposium.org

About the Indiana Limestone Symposium The Symposium was founded in 1996 by two master stone sculptors, Amy Brier and Frank Young. It is based on the Greek model of coming together for discussion and celebration. Anyone with the desire to carve can learn how! The atmosphere is relaxed, congenial, and...

10/07/2025

06/22/2025

That’s a wrap on another great Symposium! Thank you to our participants for being the amazing group you were and to our staff for making this event run smoothly. Here’s some pictures of our week 3 participants and the remaining photos from weeks 1 and 2!

06/14/2025

Week 2 has come to an end, we had another amazing group of participants! One more week to go.

06/08/2025

And that’s the end of week one! Here are a few pictures of participants and their pieces.