Class Descriptions

GLASS MOSAIC LAMP
Dare: April 10-11th
Instructor: Laurel True
Times: Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 10am - 1pm
Level: Beginner or Internediate
Prerequisite: No glass or mosaic experience necessary
Cost: $175
Materials: All materials provided

Make use of the wonderful translucent and transparent qualities of glass in this unique project-specific course. Students will learn about cutting, scoring, breaking and setting glass mosaics as well as more intermediate techniques for working with glass -on- glass and working on a three- dimensional object with glass.

Working on a substrate of frosted glass, students will create a glass mosaic lamp that will glitter with reflection and refraction of light, both from the inside and out.

Class will include discussion of designing for a three- dimensional form and working with reflective and transparent materials to achieve different effects.. Instructor will demonstrate uses of clear adhesives and their applications, working times, present a variety of unique glass-on-glass mosaic techniques, including varied setting methods and and grouting a four sided form.

These lamps make beautiful, hand made gifts.

INTRO TO ITALIAN SMALTI MOSAICS — CONTEMPORARY MOSAICS WITH ANCIENT MATERIALS
Date: TBA, FALL 2010
Time: Saturday 10 - 4 and Sunday 10-1
Cost: $175 + $50 materials fee for smalti starter pack

Longtime professional mosaic artist Laurel True will introduce students to this wonderful, surprisingly easy to use material. As seen in the Vatican Mosaics exhibit in New Orleans, smalti is a beautiful, rich and reflective materials made from poured glass.

Smalti mosaic by New Orleans student Erin Puckett

This exciting course will introduce students to the history of this exquisite glass material that has been used since the Byzantine Era and its uses in today's mosaic world. Class will begin with a slide presentation showing historical applications of smalti in architectural settings as well as how smalti is made in small batches by artisans today in Europe and beyond. Class will explore the unique light catching and reflecting qualities of smalti and how this material can be combined with other mosaic materials for exciting and rich effects.

Class will cover basic design, layout and visual understanding of a smalti piece as well as both ancient and contemporary cutting techniques. Each student will learn how to work with the hammer and hardie to process smalti, as well as gain an understanding of how to use modern tools with this material with as little waste as possible. Students will set smalti directly into a mortar bed for their project and will receive information on how to approach future smalti projects.

Class will finish with a digital presentation of contemporary smalti projects, both as fine art pieces and as integrated into an architectural setting.

Students will use Italian and Mexican smalti to create an 8 x 8 mosaic wall hanging to take home. Smalti starter pack and custom -made framed substrate provided.

INTRO TO GLASS MOSAICS
Date: May 15- 16th
Time: Saturday 10 - 4 and Sunday 10-1
Cost: $165, All materials included

A great introduction to glass mosaics!

Glass is a beautiful medium for mosaics. In this beginner friendly class, students will design and create their own glass mosaic piece.

by New Orleans Student Gila Rayberg

Class will focus on designing for glass mosaics, introduction to different types of glass tesserae used by contemporary mosaic artists and surfaces suitable for glass mosaic projects. Instructor will demonstrate the proper use of glass cutting tools for mosaic, cutting and shaping techniques, different types of lay patterns and adhesives for glass and their appropriate applications.

Instructor will present a literal visual encyclopedia of glass mosaic materials available to mosaic artists today- from low end recycled materials to high end specialty materials. Students will have plenty of colorful glass to work with for their projects. Sample designs will also be offered for student use.

Students will create a 12" x 12" glass mosaic to take home for interior display. No experience necessary, beginning and returning students welcome.

MOSAICS FOR THE GARDEN
Dates: April 17 - 18th
Time: Saturday 10-4, Sunday 10-1
Instructor: Laurel True, Director, Institute of Mosaic Art, Oakland CA
Level: Any
Cost: $165 all materials included

Beautify your garden with colorful mosaic art!

This class will cover the basics and beyond for exterior and garden mosaics including basic mosaic design, introduction of materials, information on substrates appropriate for exterior use and their preparation as well as adhesives, setting, grouting and sealing.

Instructor will present information on ceramic clay bodies and glazes for exterior use as well as other materials appropriate for outside display. We will have lots of materials to play with during class.

This class is great for the beginner as we will be covering tools, cutting techniques, mosaic design and tricks for setting both tile mosaic...and is also appropriate for the student who has already experimented with interior or craft mosaics and would like to expand their knowledge to include exterior, garden or permanent installations.

Students will create a 12" x 12" mosaic stepping stone to take home.

Returning students may bring their own substrate to mosaic for the garden within size parameters - please check with instructor.

TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MOSAICS Dates: May 22 - 23rd
Time: Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm
Instructor: Laurel True, Director, Institute of Mosaic Art, Oakland CA
Level:Any Level: Intermediate, intro class suggested.
Limit 8 students
Cost: $195, all materials included

This is a perfect "next step" for students with a beginning mosaic class already under their belt.

In this class students will learn how to work with a variety of materials and with different types of tools to get differing effects with their materials. Lecture and demonstration will cover specialty cutting techniques such as carving and honing, precision cutting and refinement of shapes for varied effects. Students will try their hand at specialty cutting with glass, tile and stone and gain a deeper understanding of how each tool can be used for desired effects.

Tools presented include: sidebiter and rotary nippers, micro-cutters, strip cutters, scoring and breaking tools, honing and marking tools, Starrett nippers and Platinum nippers.

Texture, flow (andamento) and use of color and shape will be addressed, as well as how to get the most out of your materials- whatever they are. Students will use clear adhesives or a tinted mortar bed for their project and will be able to decide weather to create a grouted or non- grouted piece (there will be no grouting in class).

A variety of different setting techniques will be presented and students will create studies and set a series of small exercises to better understand ancient setting techniques and lay patterns as well as modern methods and techniques.

Materials presented will include marble and stone, vitreous glass, recycled and other types of thick glass, mirror, smalti and smalti- like materials and ceramic.

Students will take home several small exercises and a medium sized project.