Women’s International Stone Alliance – WISA

During the initial (Covid) years, WISA worked to establish itself. Collaborating with Stone of Arc and Master Craftsman and accomplished designer, David Griffiths the WISA team worked to create a portfolio of edifice designs incorporating intimate spaces, that challenge perspectives and celebrate the strengths and capabilities of women in a culturally specific way. These edifices are to be built by appropriately skilled WISA teams in various locations worldwide, initially in England, then Australia, Ireland, Italy and USA and beyond, providing women with the rare opportunity to travel and work with other women within the traditional stone trades.

In 2022 WISA was awarded the honour of building a monument to Anne Lister (Gentleman Jack) at Shibden Hall in Halifax, UK. Whilst building the monument, the team also facilitated several stone carving and dry stone workshops for women, by women. These workshops proved so successful they have become an annual event.
WISA has presented at several events including DSWA branch meetings UK, the wonderful Feile Na gCloch in Ireland, the Great Australian Stone Festival and Jeju Island Stone festival, Korea. Going forward, WISA hopes to facilitate further presentations, workshops and edifice constructions, develop the existing member benefits, pursue advocacy goals and run a design and construction competition for women, so if any of this takes your interest – get involved or watch this space!