2013 Educational Program :: Workshops & Seminars

This seminar will focus on methodology and techniques for approaching community-based mosaic projects with participants of all ages and skill levels.  Students will come away from this information-packed workshop with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead and facilitate successful, permanent projects that engage and inspire community. Workshop will begin with a presentation of successful project models and lecture will include sample pedagogy for including and training community members in the creation of public art. Instructor will cover various approaches to community outreach, design development, sourcing locations and materials and recruiting project participants. Lecture will include step-by-step instructions with complementary images describing multiple approaches to project coordination, management and creation with a focus on creating permanent artworks specific to host communities; needs, desires and location. Instructor will present mosaic-making approaches and techniques that can be employed with groups with any level of training. Class will focus on best practices for technical construction methods so that projects are durable, safe and long lasting. Technical resources will be included in extensive class binder. Additional topics covered will include: Defining project goals and objectives Approaching stakeholders and creating project proposals Project planning, funding and budget creation Project and time management techniques Working in and outside of a classroom setting Professional development and entrepreneurial training for participants This class will be of particular benefit to mosaic artists who would like to add a community component to their work, teachers, community organizers and anyone interested in community development and entrepreneurial training through the arts.

Laurel True
Laurel True is a public artist, educator and community organizer specializing in sculptural and architectural mosaic projects. Her projects are focused mainly in urban and developing areas and she is committed to fostering arts education and entrepreneurship both in and out of the classroom. True is co-founder of the Institute of Mosaic Art in California and has lectured and taught internationally. In addition to maintaining a professional studio practice, True facilitates community-based mosaic projects in the US, Africa and Haiti through her organization, The Global Mosaic Project. Her work has been featured in independent and mainstream media, books and publications. She has created and facilitated hundreds of projects over the last 20 years, training thousands of project participants, students, apprentices and volunteers. She is a member of the Community Built Association, the Society of American Mosaic Artists, Americans for the Arts and the National Art Education Association.www.truemosaics.com www.globalmosaicproject.org

Upon completion of this seminar, participants will understand the fundamental knowledge, skills and techniques necessary to conduct quality mosaic art workshops for adult students in an engaging, effective, focused and professional manner. Through a mix of lecture, Q&A, and practical hands-on exercises, students will go through the processes in developing curriculum and conducting workshops in a manner that creates a productive learning environment and satisfied students who will return for more. Topics covered will include: basics of instructional systems design, creating a cohesive course outline, developing impactful teaching aids, leadership skills, teaching techniques, identifying learning styles and how to engage learners with various personalities, time management, pricing, sourcing materials, collaboration with other educators, marketing and building a customer base of learners, and communication skills that create a dynamic, positive learning environment that keeps students engaged.

Tools and materials needed for this session: participants should bring writing materials, and if applicable, any of their own mosaic or workshop material they are currently developing or wish to improve. Workshop materials can be outlines, handouts, or visual aids (please, limit visual aids to printed material only; no Powerpoint presentations unless printed and no physical artwork.) This session should particularly benefit those who are ready to launch their teaching endeavors, or those who have been teaching and wish to improve or build upon their instruction skills.

Andrea Taylor
Andrea Taylor has been a mosaic artist since 2000, and her mosaic art spans from large-scale architectural murals to sculptures to jewelry, but her specialty is pet and animal mosaic portraiture. Her award-winning work has been shown and collected nationally. Her primary professional experience is in media and technical instruction, conducting adult training programs since 1994 and teaching mosaic art since 2004. At last count, she has taught well over 900 adult students and countless children in various topics in the art of mosaic. Andrea is a past Executive Board member and Education Committee Chair of the Society of American Mosaic Artists. She has served as Director of Education and Curriculum Development for Maverick Mosaics Art School and Studio since 2010, and continues to serve in an active consulting role while on hiatus from that position in order to resume being a student herself. www.taylormosaics.com

Bonnie Fitzgerald
Bonnie Fitzgerald is the founder of Maverick Mosaics, a working mosaic art studio in metropolitan Washington, DC. Over the past 15 years she has taught over 20 different art workshop topics to hundreds of students. She developed a program bringing world-renowned mosaic artists to teach master classes in the DC area. In 2013 Bonnie will conduct workshops in Mexico and France and her children’s art camp just completed their 14th year inspiring the next generation. Additionally, Maverick Mosaics designs and fabricates architectural mosaics for a wide variety of clients. Mentoring students and creating art are interdependent pursuits that shape Fitzgerald’s artistic voice every day. She is the author of the book 300+ Mosaic Tips, Techniques, Templates and Trade Secrets (Trafalgar Square, 2012). www.maverickmosaics.com

This demo/lecture will take you through the process of using Kickstarter.com to fund public art and community focused projects. Helle will show you how, in 30 days, you can reach a wide audience and get your project off the ground. Learn the ins and outs of the system and effective ways of promoting your funding needs through social media and the tools Kickstarter.com provides. She will also share sourcing of new projects and requests for bids. A good resource for any artist looking to develop their public art portfolio.

Helle Scharling-Todd
Danish Artist Helle Scharling-Todd was born in 1945. She grew up on the small Island of Langeland in the Baltic Sea, developing an early interest in art, greatly supported by her parents. In 1961 she attended High School in upstate New York, as an exchange student and after graduating Baccalaureate School, Denmark, she spent half a year in a kibbutz in Israel. She attended Copenhagen University, studying philosophy, drawing and composition with H. Chr Hojer at the Glyptotek. She then went to Ravenna, Italy where she started her mosaic education, at the Academy of Fine Art. After 2 years, she decided to continue studying glass at the Krefeld School of Art and Architecture, Germany. There she studied a summer with the renowned glass artist, Hans Lauten, Kurten by Cologne. After graduation from the Glass School, she went to Mexico to learn about the Mexican mural movement in Mexico City. She met the mural artist, David Alfaro Siqueiros, who invited her to witness the making of the largest mural ever, Polyforum. She produced a 20min film of the development of mural art in Mexico, shown in Danish TV. She went back to Denmark and studied four years for a BA in Art history and Art Teaching. She married Eric Todd in 1974, an American ichthyologist. The couple moved to Ventura, California where they have raised three children. Helle has continued her Public Art career and has produced over fifty public art works in the USA and abroad. Glassandmosaics.com 

Ready to start selling your work? Need a better pricing and marketing strategy for true profitability? This class is for you, whether you’re already working as a full-time mosaicist or considering a career change. Discussions will include how to price your work, fixed versus variable costs, commission structures, defining your goals, finding your niche in the mosaic world and developing focus, marketing your mosaics, sales strategies, exhibiting, working to commission, contracts, sourcing materials at the best prices, best business practices, web presence, social networking, transitioning from part-time to full-time and more. The session will be content-rich and full of information and advice about topics important to everyone from those considering mosaic as a career to more advanced mosaicists already earning with their art. Real-life examples will be used to demonstrate the practical application of business principles. Questions and audience interaction will be encouraged. Be prepared to take lots of notes and leave with an overview of knowledge essential to all mosaic artists interested in becoming more profitable and surviving tough economic times. This session should particularly benefit those who are hoping to transition to a career as a mosaic artist as well as professionals who want to increase profitability and develop better business practices.

Sonia King
Mosaic artist Sonia King is a founding member and past-President of SAMA as well as a Vice President of the Associazione Internazionale Mosaicisti Contemporanei. Sonia creates one-of-a-kind, contemporary mosaics for gallery, architectural, community and home settings. Her mosaic art is exhibited nationally and internationally and represented in private, public and corporate collections. Sonia was featured on HGTV’s popular show, “Modern Masters”, and in numerous books. Her four large mosaic walls for Children”s Medical Center of Dallas were featured on the cover of Healthcare Design magazine and awarded an international Spectrum Award recognizing creativity and achievement in the use of tile. Sonia teaches the art of mosaic at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas as well as advanced workshops around the world. She is the author of the bestselling book “Mosaic Techniques & Traditions” from Sterling Publishing. www.mosaicworks.com 

Step back and get a fresh perspective on your work and your artistic direction. This workshop is meant for those who are looking for feedback about their work and want to gain insight and direction in their practice. In this safe and intimate setting, you will learn how to grow in your -art and where to go with it, through portfolio review and feedback. Karen Ami will lead small groups of artists in critical discussions about their individual work. The workshop will provide participants with insights and suggestions for developing a body of work and building ones’ portfolio. This is an opportunity for participants to see new directions and possibilities with their art. This workshop will help you grow as an artist, not only in your studio practice, but also give you the confidence to discuss art from an objective point of view. Students must come prepared with 2 digital images (on a CD or flash drive) that they feel best represents their work. There will be a short discussion and handouts about preparing artists’ statements, marketing your work and personal artistic development.

Karen Ami
Karen Ami has been a practicing artist for over 30 years. Her sculptural and mosaic work, prints and drawings have been exhibited in over 24 countries and the USA. Ms Ami is the Founder of the first American school of Mosaic Arts, The Chicago Mosaic School. She is President Emeritus of The Society of American Mosaic Artists and has served on the Board of Directors and Exhibitions Chair for over 7 years. When she is not working in her Chicago studios, Ms Ami teaches art and lectures both nationally and abroad. She has been a contributor to many publications, including Groutline, New Art Examiner and Mosaique Magazine. She earned a BFA from The Boston Museum School and Tufts University, an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and has studied abroad in Italy, South America, Ireland, and the Caribbean. www.artamiba.com www.chicagomosaicschool.com 

This highly attractive technique does not require precision fitting or cutting. It is about a free flow of tesserae when they are used in layers creating impressions of overlap, transparency, and volume. May it be a mosaic depicting vast space, a detail of an animal, or a close-up of a flower, your artwork will surely have an extra dimension added to it. This workshop starts with a visual presentation on layered mosaics. Hands-on part concentrates on technical and optical effects that can be produced with this technique. Individual instruction is supplemented with demos including a demo on cutting brush-stroke (boat) tesserae. All the participants must bring their own tools: wheel cutter and tweezers. Glass, adhesives, substrates, handouts, and other supplies will be provided. Images will be provided by the instructor, or participants may bring their own.

Yulia Hanansen
Yulia Hanansen, an award winning artist, has been instructing mosaic courses for over 12 years. Her Mosaic Sphere Studio, LLC produces mosaic artwork for private and public spaces. Yulia has been a guest artist throughout the United States in locations including Unicorn Art Studio, Maverick Mosaics, Ciel Gallery, Cape Cod Mosaics, and Chicago Mosaic School. In addition, Yulia is a printmaking and art foundations faculty at Maryland’s Towson University. She has taught and assisted teaching at University of Michigan and Columbia University. Yulia’s artworks have been exhibited in many invitational shows as well as in her solo shows. In 2011 Yulia won “Best of Show” at Mosaic Arts International. Her current work focuses on fusion of Earth/planetary sciences and art. The result is a series of works titled “Starscapes” and new series titled “Water”. Yulia enjoys working in mosaic, printmaking, drawing, and painting media. www.mosaicsphere.com  

Can andamento change your life? Listen to Rachel Sager Lynch answer with a resounding, yes! In this lecture formatted workshop exploring the philosophies of andamento, our basic language as mosaicists. There are as many expressions of these pathways as there are artists who work in the medium. Join Rachel as she asks questions beyond the traditional definitions of what is correct or classical. Explore not just the finer points of the rules and when it makes sense to break them, but more theoretical observations of andamento as a communication tool. Share in Rachel’s theories on choice, free will, and andamento as an allegory of Life. Discuss things like intention, cutting, looking to nature for understanding and in the process learn valuable methods to craft more sensitive andamento. This lecture with accompanying, highly detailed power point images will include Rachel’s interviews with artists who have crafted their own distinct languages. Hear in their own words what andamento means to them. Plenty of question and answer and discussion will follow the lecture. This class is purposely hands-off to enable the student to relax and soak up ideas and images without the pressure of creating. Students will have access to multiple real-time examples of Rachel’s andamento explorations. This is not a technical lecture but a theoretical approach and break down of ideas in relation to our unique language. This class would benefit all levels, particularly those looking to refine their voice or expand their appreciation of andamento as an instrument of communication.

Rachel Sager Lynch
Rachel Sager Lynch is an award-winning artist whose passionate celebration of the stone of her native Southwestern Pennsylvania has earned her loyal collectors from both the business and the art worlds. Her Marcellus Shale Series has become a true Pittsburgh success story. Rachel actively exhibits nationally and internationally, teaches natural stone mosaic workshops in the Allegheny Mountains, and speaks to audiences about her process and commitment to contemporary mosaic. www.rachelsagermosaics.com 

This workshop is for artists who want to explore a variety of mosaic techniques to create a representational landscape utilizing different traditional materials, e.g. glass, stone, shells and metal. Beginning with a short presentation and exercises to illustrate general principles, the discussion considers perspective – foreground and background, and light source – highlights and shadows. The beauty of this workshop is that the artist gets to surround themselves with materials and then play with a variety of tesserae to complete their mosaic. The workshop emphasizes a hands-on exploration of mosaic techniques. This allows the artist to discover different textures, color combinations and ways to transition and form relationships with mixed materials. Throughout the workshop individual attention and tips are provided to help with the technical aspects of mosaics and to guide the successful completion of each project.

Laura Rendlen
Laura Rendlen received her BFA in Sculpture from the Kansas City Art Institute and spent many years painting before she discovered the world of fine art mosaics. This world is where painterly expressions cross over into three-dimensional. Laura developed her own mosaic style by attending workshops and classes in traditional and non-traditional techniques at SAMA and the Chicago Mosaic School where she spent several years as an instructor. Laura’s work has been published in a number of books, blogs and magazines including Mosaic Fine Art Portraits and Mosaic Art Now. Several of her pieces have been selected for the Mosaic Arts International Exhibition and in 2011 she received one of the Jurors Choice Awards. www.LRFinemosaics.com 

This session should benefit those who are interested in bringing the community or organizations together to make tiles for murals to enhance a particular surrounding. The goal of this workshop is to share my skills and knowledge with those interested in creating large murals in a classroom setting using raw clay, a slab roller, glazes and a kiln. They will learn from videos, photos, examples and see the finished product after installation, This will basically be a lecture and presentation of the makings of different murals. There will be time for questions and answers.

Mary Ann Moore
Professor Mary Ann Moore graduated from Oklahoma City University with a BA in Fine Arts. She has taught Visual Arts for 37 years at Oklahoma City Community College and received the following awards: Governor’s Arts Award, The NISOD Excellence Award, The DaVinci Institute Fellow and the OCCC Faculty Employee Award for Excellence. Professor Moore was the project director for the Devon Centennial Mosaic Mural in Oklahoma City and the professor for the Mosaic classes that did the Oklahoma Historical Mosaic Murals on Oklahoma City Community College campus. She has exhibited nationally for several years. www.occc.edu/mmoore  

In this one-day workshop you will learn to identify the walls of creative resistance. Through a combination of lecture and hands-on assignments, this interactive mosaic experience will assist the beginner, intermediate and advanced level artist to recognize and conquer their creative barriers. Each student will be encouraged to share their own personal creative challenges, and through open discussion we will define the obstacles that confront all artists and techniques that will allow you to conquer the enemies that hold back your creativity and talent. The hands-on portion of this workshop will challenge you to grow through instructor guided creative experimentation, via exercises designed to introduce you to new possibilities and see your materials in a new light. Everyone will take home a project created in the workshop that will serve as inspiration and help keep you motivated.

Kim Wozniak
Owner of WitsEnd Mosaics and Smalti.com, Kim Wozniak is trained in art and architectural design, and has found her voice in mosaics. After leaving the corporate world Kim reclaimed her creative spirit by combining her love of art and building materials. Her rule-breaking style was quickly recognized in the mosaic community and has led her to create both public and private installations throughout United States, and her fine art mosaics are exhibited internationally. Kim was one of three Americans representing the United States in Ravenna, Italy at the prestigious 2011 juried biennial exhibition: Ravenna Mosaico – Works of the World. She has studied the medium of mosaics with masters from Italy, Mexico and the US. Her work has been featured in several publications including Mosaic Art Today, Breakout, Mosaic Art Abstracts and many other publications. www.kimwozniak.com  

Join award-winning Designer/Artist/Mosaicist Lynne Chinn for an in-depth class on COLOR! as she continues her popular series of courses teaching mosaic artists of every skill level the design basics. Watch and listen to her dynamic and vibrant presentation from which you’ll learn: a little history about how color is understood; the process of how you see color; the psychological effects color has on you; and to make sense of the color-related terminology which puzzles us all. Review how color is experienced in mosaics and how to use it successfully in your artworks while discovering some tools to help you do that. There will be time for discussion and questions. For the second half of our adventure, bring your nippers and a pair of tweezers to mosaic a beautifully designed smalti color wheel to take home with you for use in your studio. Lynne will happily share tips and tricks for nipping smalti if this is your first time.

Lynne Chinn
Since 2001 Lynne Chinn, professional mosaicist and artist, has been designing, creating and installing one-of-a-kind mosaic art pieces for museum curators, designers, architects, public art committees, liturgical clients, her gallery and homeowners. She has completed countless commissions for commercial and private clients, including a 72′w x 6′h public art wall and a 6′w x 9′h Italian smalti mosaic Icon for Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon. She recently concluded an extremely well-attended museum exhibition featured at the Villa Bagatelle in Quebec City, Canada. Lynne received a cherished 3rd Prize, Professional Category for her artwork Valentino at the Rencontres Internationales de Mosaique, Prix Picasiette 2010 in Chartres, France, she was recognized as ‘Best In Show’; Mosaic Arts International 2009, and was honored with ‘Finalist; for Fine Mosaic Technique and Originality of Expression’ in the coveted Orsoni Prize 2007, International Award for Mosaic Fine Art. www.lcmosaics.com 

Learn how to create scaled watercolor renderings and three-dimensional maquettes of your conceptual mosaic ideas for large-scale and smaller studio projects. Have you ever had a great idea for a mosaic commission and needed to convey your conceptual design to a client or a public art agency? The power and magic of building a to-scale rendering and/or a maquette is essential to communicating your ideas to others and your own understanding of how to build the project. This workshop focuses on the handcrafted techniques of using an architectural scale, watercolor painting, and how to apply them “in situ” or to an architectural setting. The tools learned in this workshop do not focus on the computer as a means to design. Photography and the computer are the tools applied after the conceptual project is created. In the workshop you will design a case-study project to develop the techniques of creating a maquette. Or, bring your actual project to create the concept through the duration of the workshop (bring project criteria and space dimensions). We will also discuss how to calculate the amount of materials needed for projects, the basics of photography, and the business of creating commissions. Materials in the workshop include: architectural scale (standard measuring system), watercolor paints, watercolor brush, watercolor paper, miscellaneous tools, and other weird stuff to make 3-D maquettes.

Kim Emerson
Kim Emerson has been creating large-scale mosaics since 1990. Her background with an Associate of Arts degree in interior design, a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts/art history, and a Master of Science degree in historic preservation of architecture have prepared Kim to work in the field of large scale private and public mosaics. She is passionate about teaching how mosaics can be created with quality in design and materials. She is dedicated in assisting other artists in finding their own mosaic voice through the exploration of design while building conceptual ideas of their own. This is a rare opportunity where Kim shares her past project experience, knowledge of materials, and secrets of how to create renderings and maquettes. The design phase of a project is her favorite phase of any commission. All levels of mosaic experience are welcome. www.kimemersonmosaics.com  

This session should particularly benefit beginning; advanced and professional mosaic artists who are looking to expand their creative approach and mosaic materials palette, try new tools and increase their knowledge of mounting methods and products for small and large scale, indoors and out-of-door projects.
In this workshop participants will exercise their creativity and further their personal style by designing an impromptu mosaic as demonstrated by Susan Gamble, mosaic artist and owner of Santa Theresa Tile Works.

Designs will combine the latest colors and textures available in sheet glass from Spectrum Glass and the newest ceramic mosaic merchandise available on the market—glass thin, high fired, frost-resistant Skinny Tiles made by Santa Theresa Tile Works. Participants will receive instruction in the use of the Morton Portable Glass Shop and the high performance Toyo Supercutter from manufacturer Steve Shupper, Glass Accessories International. Instruction will be hands on and include making squares, triangles and diamonds as well as free-form shapes.

There will be a Morton Portable Glass Shop provided to each work shop member for use during the workshop as well as multiple Supercutter Models with a range of innovative handle designs for participants to try out. Susan will review how to select project appropriate non-mortar and non-mastic mounting methods while Carrie Strope of Streuter Technologies will demonstrate how to use 3 heat activated mounting products—No DAYS Mesh Mount, Adhesive Film and Q Stick Mosaic Adhesive. Her tips and tricks will amaze everyone in attendance.

Participants will leave the work shop with a completed mixed-media mosaic back mounted on NO Days Mesh Mount, OR a completed mixed-media mosaic adhered to Wedi Board with No Days Adhesive Film, OR a completed mixed-media mosaic mounted on an industrial strength quick stick backing, No Days Q Stick. There will be no grouting in this workshop.

Susan Gamble, Artist Owner, Santa Theresa Tile Works
After completing a BFA in Art Education in 1972 and teaching elementary school art for nearly 10 years, Susan Gamble completed a MFA in Ceramics at University of California at Long Beach. In 1986, immediately after leaving school, Susan returned to her home in Tucson, Arizona and opened a ceramic studio. 26 years later Susan, along with all 6 Santa Theresa Tile Works employees, is still making tile, public art and teaching workshops. Santa Theresa Tile Works’ 4,000 sq.ft. studio, retail showroom and classroom has become a Tucson arts destination. Commissioned private and public art works extend from Hollywood to Boston; Salt Lake City to Arizona-Mexico border. www.santatheresatileworks.com.

Steve Shupper, Director of Marketing, Glass Accessories International
After completing a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona, Steve worked as a licensed LA in Tucson and San Diego for 15 years before joining the family glass cutter business (established 1976.) Steve has worked in the glass industry full time since 2008. He is the immediate past president of the Art Glass Association and is currently heading a campaign called “Art Glass in Art Class.” In this campaign Steve travels the country teaching art teachers how to integrate glass into their art programs and curriculums. www.glassaccessories.com

Carrie Strope, Streuter Technologies
Carrie designs projects and produces teaching videos for Streuter Technologies products. She also travels the country and conducts Streuter’s “Road Shows” that provide demonstrations and technical assistance on Streuter products to glass and mosaic retail stores and workshops. www.streuter.com 

This workshop will explore the properties of stone (with limited glass) in modern mosaic combinations. Each participant will create his/her own small mosaic with assistance from the instructor. Teaching will include the promotion of good andamento discipline within a modern context, using mainly stone, with a choice of simple but effective designs that can be extrapolated at will. This should particularly benefit intermediate or advanced artists who wish to explore new combinations, textures and materials, as well as those wishing to gain more control in the process of creation and translation of designs. Hammer and hardie technique will be taught as part of the class, both for stone and glass, and thinset will be used as an adhesive.

The mosaic materials for this class will be of the highest quality. They will also all be locally-sourced previously-owned materials, gleaned from Seattle’s many ”green” shops. The use of these recycled, but never-used materials will greatly benefit those curious about ingenious ways to save on their own production cost without compromising quality in any way. Materials for the creation of one small personal mosaic for each participant will be provided, and will include a range of marble and colored stone. If participants wish to bring a few “pet rocks” to possibly include them in their work, they may do so. If participants wish to bring their own mosaic tools such as hammers and hardies, nippers (side biters as well as leponitt types), tweezers, thinset spreaders or anything else that may help them, they are strongly encouraged to do so. Tools will be provided, but some of them will have to be shared.

Sophie Drouin
Sophie Drouin is a second-generation mosaic artist and instructor. Sophie teaches mosaic throughout North America, both at home in Canada and in the US, where she has taught in Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, San Diego, Mystic, Charlotte, and Lexington, among other places. She has exhibited at SAMA?s MAI exhibitions every year since joining the group. Her works have been exhibited in many galleries in Canada and the US as well as Europe. She has won multiple awards in juried exhibitions for SAMA, and she is a 2010 winner in the professional category of the Biennale Picassiette in Chartres, France. Sophie has also authored a book on the use of minerals in mosaics (with Bill Buckingham, 2008) as well as several articles for Mosaic Art Now (US) and Mosaique Magazine (France) where she is a regular contributor. www.sophiemosaics.com 

Are you interested in learning the indirect method (working in reverse or double reverse on Contact Paper) Ideal for large-scale work, the indirect method has numerous advantages once one gains the skills and confidence in using a notched trowel. Each participant will practice using their own trowel and learn how to determine the correct amount and consistency of thinset. Common mistakes will be presented as well as how to deal with what can go wrong. Additional instruction in large on-site installations using the reverse method will be addressed as well as working indirectly with materials of different thickness. A PPT with examples of the artist’s numerous large-scale projects will be shown. One-on-one attention will be paid to each participant and all questions addressed. The instructor is self-taught and has been working indirectly since her third mosaic created, over 12 years ago. Problem solving is an important part of being a mosaic artist; we shall address potential issues and collectively discuss possible solutions.

This session should particularly benefit those who are interested in this method but need more skills and confidence to pursue working indirectly. Appropriate for beginners or those with some experience that would like to learn more. Feel free to contact the instructor if you have specific questions on whether the class is a good match for you.

Cynthia Fisher
Cynthia Fisher has been a professional artist for 23 years, as an illustrator of 35 children’s books and since 2000 as a mosaicist. Her work can be found in homes nationally and internationally with large-scale public art installations in hospitals, colleges, public offices and town commons. The artist has undertaken numerous school residencies and community projects and teaches at a variety of art and craft schools around the country.
Fisher’s fine art abstract mosaics have won both national and international recognition. She was one of 8 mosaic artists selected worldwide for Mosaic Art Now, Exhibition in Print, 2011; Orsoni Prize 2011, she received an Honorable Mention in the biennial International Award for Mosaic Fine Art from Orsoni Smalti Veneziani in 2011; was part of the acclaimed “Terra Incognita” mosaic show at the Gallery at Penn College in 2012. Her work can also be viewed on her website, www.bigbangmosaics.com  

This course will provide an overview of various bas relief (low sculptural) techniques. During this workshop participants will learn how to create a surface that will provide an additional dimension to their work. The workshop will cover the correct use of materials to create a sustainable surface suitable for mosaic art; design considerations for bas relief; and a demonstration of cutting techniques for laying tesserae on a dimensional surface. The workshop will include discussion and demonstration of techniques after which participants will choose one of the techniques to use to create a bas relief substrate that can later be covered in mosaic. This session should particularly benefit those who are seeking to add depth and dimension to their two dimensional work.

Gwyn Kaitis
Gwyn Kaitis is a founding faculty member of the Chicago Mosaic School where she has been teaching for 7 years. She has taught bas relief courses in both the United States and Australia. Her work has been included in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions and has been selected for inclusion in three Mosaic Arts International Exhibitions. She has provided demonstrations and lectures for various arts groups and organizations and in 2012 was chosen to deliver the Smithsonian Museum Lecture at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art where her work was also exhibited. www.organicartifacts.com 

This workshop is suited for beginner to advanced mosaic artists and any level of professional experience. In this workshop, attendees learn: 1.The benefits of incorporating beads into a mosaic. 2. How to source and select beads. 3. Magical adhesives and techniques on how to apply beads into a mosaic, making working with beads easy, exciting and fun. Other topics such as storing and grouting beads will also be discussed. Information is shared through lecture, video demonstrations and guided, hands-on experience. Attendees will create a small mosaic with a selection of quality beads provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring along other materials that inspire them and also images of their work. They will be personally guided in how to work beads into their own materials and style. A grouting demo will also be included along with time for Q&A. Students are expected to bring an x-acto-knife, a dental pick and an assortment of tesserae they may like to include in their mosaic. Other materials will be provided. This session should particularly benefit those who are interested in mixed media mosaics and those also interested in learning how to successfully incorporate beads into their mosaic work in a fine art manner.

Sharra Frank
Sharra Frank is an established mosaic artist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her mosaic obsession began in 2002, while still an art student at the University of Minnesota. She worked from her kitchen table, creating small pieces to sell in local flower shops. With each small success her artistic vision grew and so did the scale and intricacy of her work. After making the leap to a private studio she continued creating the intricate, whimsical and inspiring mosaic mirrors and window hangings that are her signature. At the same time, she made the transition to full-time artist and never looked back. Sharra has several large-scale installations throughout the Twin Cities area, has worked with high-end designers and clientele everywhere from Florida to California and has exhibited at SAMA and SOFA NY. She teaches beginning and advanced mosaic classes from her Minneapolis studio. www.sharrafrank.com  

Mosaic artists and hobbyists with any level of technical or professional experience will enjoy this hands-on design workshop. Participants will learn the basics of sacred geometry, a fascinating science with its roots in nature. Sacred geometry was used and understood by our Byzantine predecessors. In this workshop, you will learn how to effectively use tools such as compasses, protractors and calipers to enhance your design capabilities. The main focus of this workshop will be the elements of mandala design. A mandala is a round geometric design, with or without spiritual or religious significance. Participants will gain the abilities to create beautiful mandala designs, and will have plenty of hands-on design time during the workshop. This session should particularly benefit those who are interested in sacred geometry, the Golden Ratio, and geometric mandala designs. You will leave the workshop with enhanced design abilities, and a different view of the universe we live in. All design materials and tools will be provided, along with a copy of the book “A Beginner’s Guide to Constructing the Universe” by Michael S. Schneider.

Dianne Sonnenberg
Dianne Sonnenberg is an internationally-recognized mosaic artist based in Austin, Texas. Her work has won numerous awards, including the Best Architectural Mosaic award from Mosaic Arts International 2010 for “Ocean(egg)raphy”. Dianne is a member of the faculty at The Art School of the Austin Museum of Art. She has been teaching mosaic art and facilitating community projects since 2005. Dianne has a particular interest in sacred geometry, and has created an extensive mosaic mandala series. Her mandalas have been featured in the “Mandala Page-A-Day Calendar” by Workman Publishing. In 2007, her “Striking Texas Gold” was a local favorite in the Austin Guitar Town exhibit, and she has recently completed a mandala-inspired design for “Gilded Lily”, a life-sized cow for Cow Parade Austin. DianneSonnenberg.com  

We are going to take some old-school (classical) techniques and transform them to fit our contemporary artistic needs. We will review the characteristics of many styles of classic and contemporary opus and hone our cutting and laying techniques. Students will become skilled at “visualizing” the next cut in order to cut and place each tesserae precisely. Instructors will enlighten you to combining andamento techniques for maximum effect and train you to be the “master of your materials”. Students will create 2 small studies using a combination of stained glass and vitreous tile. A selection of design patterns will be provided by the instructors with the materials and time frame in mind. Students need to bring a wheeled cutting tool, tweezers and favorite positioning tools. Supply fee covers glass, tiles, substrates and adhesives. Works will not be grouted. This workshop will be team-taught. Bonnie Fitzgerald and Andrea Taylor have long been recognized as dynamic, fun and personable instructors. With over 30 years combined experience they bring an extensive knowledge base and expertise in a broad range of mosaic materials and techniques. Find confidence as you master precision cutting and setting. This workshop is focused on both artistic and technical development. This session should particularly benefit those who feel their work has hit a plateau or is missing that professional polish, and/or those who would like to learn to improve and fine-tune their cutting and tesserae-laying skills.

Bonnie Fitzgerald
Bonnie Fitzgerald is the founder of Maverick Mosaics, a working mosaic art studio in metropolitan Washington, DC. Over the past 15 years she has taught over 20 different art workshop topics to hundreds of students. She developed a program bringing world-renowned mosaic artists to teach master classes in the DC area. In 2013 Bonnie will conduct workshops in Mexico and France and her children’s art camp just completed their 14th year inspiring the next generation. Additionally, Maverick Mosaics designs and fabricates architectural mosaics for a wide variety of clients. Mentoring students and creating art are interdependent pursuits that shape Fitzgerald’s artistic voice every day. She is the author of the book 300+ Mosaic Tips, Techniques, Templates and Trade Secrets (Trafalgar Square, 2012). www.maverickmosaics.com

Andrea Taylor
Andrea Taylor has been a mosaic artist since 2000, and her mosaic art spans from large-scale architectural murals to sculptures to jewelry, but her specialty is pet and animal mosaic portraiture. Her award-winning work has been shown and collected nationally. Her primary professional experience is in media and technical instruction, conducting adult training programs since 1994 and teaching mosaic art since 2004. At last count, she has taught well over 900 adult students and countless children in various topics in the art of mosaic. Andrea is a past Executive Board member and Education Committee Chair of the Society of American Mosaic Artists. She has served as Director of Education and Curriculum Development for Maverick Mosaics Art School and Studio since 2010, and continues to serve in an active consulting role while on hiatus from that position in order to resume being a student herself. www.taylormosaics.com  

Participants will create different glass shapes using a wet saw. This is a great introduction to wet saws and hands-on creating shapes out of glass. Participants will also use Hand Tools consisting of glass cutters, running pliers, groziers, and nippers. Students will get guided, hands-on use of a wet saw for creating shapes, learn how to cut glass with hand tools like the professional stained glass artisans, and practice perfecting lines and radiuses with the glass grinder. There will be discussions on different saws available for these types of intricate cuts and safety standards during this workshop. Students will leave with different cut glass shapes that can be used in a mosaic. Student does not need to bring anything to the workshop.

Lou Ann Weeks
Lou Ann Weeks began working in stained glass more than 25 years ago and laid the foundation for her ultimate passion, mosaic art. Her passion has driven the creation of some of Florida’s largest and most inspiring mosaics. Many of her public art projects can be found in Brevard County and she currently teaches and resides in Orlando, Florida. She produces architectural installations, wall hangings, and sculpture featuring stained glass, vitreous tile, smalti, stone, ceramics, and other materials. She completed studies at the Orsoni School of Mosaics in Venice, Italy earning Master of Mosaico. She has also studied with internationally known Sonia King, and Eric Rattan owner of Santa Fe Design Studio. www.louannweeks.com  

Great introduction to using stained glass in your mosaics. In order to use stained glass in your mosaics, you need to know these basics: how to cut and shape glass; what tools to use; how to use patterns in your design; what adhesives to use and grouting glass. This class gives you hands-on instruction with all of these as well as helpful tips and tricks. Participants will be introduced to different types & manufacturers of glass and learn to use the tools professional stained glass artists use. These tools consist of glass cutters, running pliers, groziers, glass grinder, and nippers. Students will learn how to cut straight lines, curves, ovals, circles, and s-shapes for their piece and about adhesives used with stained glass for both interior and exterior applications. Grout and grouting techniques will be discussed. All tools and materials provided. Student will create a stained glass mosaic on a wood base and leave with materials to complete if necessary.

Lou Ann Weeks
Lou Ann Weeks began working in stained glass more than 25 years ago and laid the foundation for her ultimate passion, mosaic art. Her passion has driven the creation of some of Florida’s largest and most inspiring mosaics. Many of her public art projects can be found in Brevard County and she currently teaches and resides in Orlando, Florida. She produces architectural installations, wall hangings, and sculpture featuring stained glass, vitreous tile, smalti, stone, ceramics, and other materials. She completed studies at the Orsoni School of Mosaics in Venice, Italy earning Master of Mosaico. She has also studied with internationally known Sonia King, and Eric Rattan owner of Santa Fe Design Studio. www.louannweeks.com  

Learn how to create high-end, fine scale mosaic jewelry in this full day workshop. Participants will learn about compatible bases and adhesives, design concepts for jewelry, specific cutting and gluing techniques and more. The day will start with a lecture and demo on creating mosaic jewelry, then participants will be given an opportunity to practice cutting to an extremely small scale. Individual work on a mosaic pendant set in silver plate will follow, using carefully selected materials such as mosaic gold, millefiori, dichroic glass, and filati. Throughout the day, all participants will receive individual attention and instruction.

While all levels of experience are welcome, this workshop is mainly geared towards intermediate and advanced mosaic artists. This session should particularly benefit those mosaicists from hobbyist to professional who wish to add fine mosaic jewelry to their repertoire, or who wish to learn to work in mosaic on a scale slightly larger than micro. Students are required to bring a pair of dual wheeled glass mosaic cutters (“Lepps”) and safety glasses if desired.

Margo Anton
Margo Anton has been a professional mosaic artist since 2004, operating under the name of Minerva Mosaics. Her mosaic journey began with a fascination in glass and tile, and has since moved on to a more eclectic mix of materials. She has exhibited her work at two past SAMA conferences, as well as in various exhibitions in her native Canada. Margo has also lectured both locally and internationally on mosaic art. In February 2009, Margo began a “Mosaic a Day” wherein she creates a small-scale mixed media mosaic four or five days a week, including mosaic jewelry. Margo also works on larger fine art mosaics, commissions, and installations. She teaches regularly both in Canada and in the USA. Her website can be found at www.minervamosaics.com.  

The purpose of this workshop is to give students the methodological fine art tools to create and develop their own contemporary style in portraiture mosaics using high quality stained glass. They will be challenged to discipline how they typically “see” things to interpret into a stained glass mosaic and to “look” at things differently. The students will be able to experience a semester of “formal art training” in one day addressing composition and design theories, creating illusions in mosaic art to create a 3D effect from a 2D creation. Students will be directed to “exercise” the technical steps of artistic guidance for a portrait mosaic in stained glass and use their personal style and color choices to create a portrait. Handouts, PowerPoint and demonstrations will be provided in the workshop. Information on how to critique your own work will be provided.

Model photographs will be provided and transposed with the instructor offering information on what is needed with using traditional and non-traditional techniques to understand facial structure cross contour, shading, cast shadow and how to see and use color and values. The students will learn artist tricks and we will discuss the entire composition, including negative space (background) to complete their piece. In this workshop, students will begin to create a 10” x 10” stained glass mosaic and have enough materials to complete their portrait.

Carol Shelkin
Carol is a full-time teaching artist in her hometown of Philadelphia, PA as well as teaching worldwide. She shows her work both nationally and internationally, creates and installs public mosaics and works with community groups. Her work is represented in many private, public and corporate collections and has received many awards. Her studies include Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia College of Art and Fleisher Art Memorial. She has been published in several art publications and has been awarded the 2011 Robin Brett Mosaic Scholarship from SAMA for studies in Ravenna, Italy. www.carolshelkinmosaics.com 

Books or journals make the perfect base for creating richly embellished mixed media mosaic covers that have a jewel like feel. In this hands-on class we will alter the covers of books using a variety of mixed media tile-making techniques that include rubber stamping, painting, collage, transfers, embedding, beading and metal leaf. This technique-driven workshop is geared to all levels including those who have never used polymer clay before. Students will leave class with a piece of art that is both functional as well as beautiful to behold. Polymer clay will become an invaluable tool to help artists who are seeking personal expression in their artistic lives. This session will be comprehensive and will particularly benefit those who are interested in creating their own tiles to use in their mosaics.

Student Supply List (please bring with you the following)

• A book or journal for a substrate-not larger than about 6 x 8 inches. Small vintage books with beautiful spines are great. Needs to have a firm, flat book board type cover, if it is flimsy or uneven, the tiles can pop off.
• 4-5 small packages of either Premo or Sculpey III polymer clay. Make sure the clay is somewhat soft by pressing your thumb into it, if it feels rock hard, don’t buy it! Please condition clay prior to class by kneading it until soft and then rolling into a ball and store in a baggie.
• 1 small package of white or ecru clay
• Rolling pin or even large diameter PVC pipe works
• Paintbrushes: a one-inch brush and a detail brush
• Small bottle of Weldbond glue
• A pencil with an eraser
• A small bag of small glass mosaic tiles
• A few Doo-dads to embed in clay like charms, buttons, beads, found objects, crowns, wings, halos, Milagros, jewelry parts, watch parts, collage images.

Laurie Mika
Laurie Mika is an artist, author and instructor. Over the last two decades, Laurie‘s mixed media mosaic work has evolved into an original and easily recognizable style. Her unique approach combines handmade polymer clay tiles with beads, jewelry pieces, charms, glass tile and found objects. She feels very fortunate to be able to combine her love of travel and passion for art through teaching at art retreats. Laurie’s work has been published in numerous magazines and included in over a dozen books. She has appeared on both HGTV’s, That’s Clever and on DIY’s, Craft Lab. Her work has won many awards including MAO’s Best in Show 2-D. Laurie’s own book, Mixed Media Mosaics was published by North Light Books. Closer to home, in southern California, she participates in juried exhibitions and has her work in galleries and private collections. www.mikaarts.com  

This course is appropriate for any intermediate or advanced mosaic artist interested in learning or deepening their knowledge of Roman filati mosaic technique, also known as micromosaic. This technique was invented in Rome towards the end of the 18th century, when artists there began to experiment with small mosaics in “spun enamel” (smalti filati). These mosaics were meant to be viewed close-up and gave the artist access to a wider audience: they could finally produce works for people and furnishings. The artists were able to produce a great range of colors starting from the mother tints. Orsoni still provides these mother tints to the Vatican, and they are the source for the filati rods you will use in class. Filati mosaic technique is prized today because of its fine detail, exacting technical requirements and the small amount of material and space required. Once mastered, it allows you to produce mosaics suitable for jewelry or furnishings.

Filati of different sizes and shapes will be provided, prepared in Venice by the instructor. You will learn how to prepare the “stucco” according to the ancient Roman tradition, how to place the stucco in the frame, how to place the sketch of the mosaic, and how to score, cut, and place the filati in the adhesive. You will create a very simple project, about two inches square, in which you will “play” with colors, size, and shape. You will leave with a finished project, or if partially finished, with enough filati to finish your mosaic at home. This workshop will benefit those who would like to explore the properties of filati glass, enjoy working in an extremely small scale, and have excellent eyesight and significant patience.

Antonella Gallenda
Antonella Gallenda has been Maestro Lucio Orsoni’s assistant and protégé, working beside him since 1981. She is lead artist in the mosaic laboratory at Orsoni Mosaici. She graduated from the Institute of Art in Venice and has attended numerous other mosaic courses to perfect and modernize her technique. She has been responsible for the realization of major monuments as well as commercial and residential installations. In 2000 she created a valuable reproduction of the Lion of San Marco using 30 shades of gold. In 2008 she created a “modernism” portrait of Peggy Guggenheim, which was presented to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in celebration the museum’s 60th anniversary. Ms. Gallenda assisted Carlo Meloni during the first Roman Filati mosaic class taught in Venice in 2007, and she has since deepened her knowledge of this technique by studying in Rome with Ida Tiberi, who worked in the Vatican Studio. Ms. Gallenda has taught the Orsoni Master in Mosaic Course for four years, and also currently teaches the thematic classes in Portraiture and Roman Filati Mosaic (Micromosaic).  www.orsoni.com.  

The students will work from their own design to create a mosaic using a terra cotta roof tile as a substrate. This workshop will take the students to a new dimension in creativity by explaining how to mosaic on a curved surface.  They will learn how to make proper cutting techniques using smalti and gold tiles.  Decisions on placement of tesserae and the use of andamento will be discussed while creating a relatively smooth curved surface.   Students interested in taking their art from the flat surface to more 3D objects will benefit from this course.

Antonella Gallenda
Antonella Gallenda has been Maestro Lucio Orsoni’s assistant and protégé, working beside him since 1981. She is lead artist in the mosaic laboratory at Orsoni Mosaici. She graduated from the Institute of Art in Venice and has attended numerous other mosaic courses to perfect and modernize her technique. She has been responsible for the realization of major monuments as well as commercial and residential installations. In 2000 she created a valuable reproduction of the Lion of San Marco using 30 shades of gold. In 2008 she created a “modernism” portrait of Peggy Guggenheim, which was presented to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in celebration the museum’s 60th anniversary. Ms. Gallenda assisted Carlo Meloni during the first Roman Filati mosaic class taught in Venice in 2007, and she has since deepened her knowledge of this technique by studying in Rome with Ida Tiberi, who worked in the Vatican Studio. Ms. Gallenda has taught the Orsoni Master in Mosaic Course for four years, and also currently teaches the thematic classes in Portraiture and Roman Filati Mosaic (Micromosaic). www.orsoni.com.  

This workshop will introduce you to Ilana Shafir’s “spontaneous mosaic” method, an approach based in playful experimentation in which you spend much time exploring the endless possibilities of arranging various pieces together. This process takes time and cannot be rushed and precedes fixing the pieces permanently onto the mosaic board. Ms. Shafir moves through the room, working one-on-one with each student as you choose from various materials and design your composition with particular attention to scale, texture, pattern, color, and line. You will learn that there is more than one ultimate combination and that you can produce unexpected arrangements of great beauty that are far more creative than your initial try. Note: Ms. Shafir will take an afternoon break while participants continue to work on their projects.

Ilana Shafir
Ilana Shafir has been a member of SAMA since it was founded in 1999, and a cofounder of AIMC. At the age of eighty-seven, Ilana still travels to the USA annually to attend conferences, often as a teacher and guest speaker. Ilana is an esteemed Israeli artist whose artwork has been exhibited internationally. Most recently, at the Biblioteca Classense, in Ravenna, Italy, an homage solo exhibition bestowed on her by the Municipality of Ravenna and AIMC. Ilana has been featured in all the leading books and publications on contemporary mosaic, including the 2011 issue of Solo Mosaico, the 2011 issue of Mosaic Art Now, and many more. Ilana is also the recipient of numerous SAMA awards. Her mosaic “Gate of The Souls” received the Curator’s Choice Award at the inaugural exhibition of SAMA in 2002. Another of Ilana’s mosaics, “In the Deep”, was named Best Large Scale Contemporary Work at the SAMA exhibition held at the Eleven Eleven Gallery in Washington DC. In 2010, Ilana’s mosaic “Temples” won the Curator’s Choice Award at the SAMA MAI exhibit at Chicago’s Navy Pier. www.shafirart.com