Laurel True Resume

EXPERIENCE

More than sixteen years experience in all phases of mosaic fabrication including design, layout, setting, grouting and finishing. Expertise using a wide range of materials including ceramic tile, handmade tile, vitreous and stained glass, smalti, stone, mirror, pique assiette and mixed medias. Strong skills in creative project development, promotion, consultation, marketing, group facilitation and instruction. Twelve years experience in mosaic instruction, lecturing and education.

EMPLOYMENT

Institute of Mosaic Art, LLC — 2005-Present
Founder, Director, Instructor Oakland, CA
Premier mosaic school in the United States offering instruction in mosaic techniques to students of all levels. Developed concept for formalized school based on over ten years of teaching experience. In charge of marketing, PR, curriculum development, instructor liaison and outreach.

Mosaic Studio Supply — 2004-Present
Owner, Founder Oakland, CA
Retail mosaic supply store catering to students, artists and creative adventurers. In charge of ordering, supply, inventory, hiring, system development, visual display, store layout, marketing and PR.

TRUE MOSAICS — 1991 to present
Owner, Founder Oakland, CA
Architectural mosaic company specializing in site-specific installations, public art, private commissions and community projects. True Mosaics has produced ceramic tile, glass and mirror mosaic murals, sculptural forms, interior and exterior walls and facades, floors, insets, ceilings, counters, doorways, signage and garden accents. Projects include parks, hospitals, restaurants, private residences and schools. Clients include: Cities of Pleasanton, Milpitas and Oakland, California, San Diego Children's Hospital, Longs Drug Stores, Marriott Hotels and San Francisco Arts Commission.

SAN FRANCISCO MOSAIC STUDIO — 2000 to 2001
Co- Founder, Instructor San Francisco
Mosaic Studio specializing in site-specific mosaic murals, facades and private commissions. Arranged and taught courses in mosaic techniques from beginning to advanced levels in ceramic tile and glass mosaic to large student base. Consultant in field of mosaics for large- scale and public projects.

TILE CONTRACTORS — 1994 to 1999
Ceramic Tile Layer Various Locations
Augmented skills as mosaicist by working directly in the tile setting trade with various tile contractors including: Muthamia Tile, Inc., Madison, WI, Orlanda Uffre, Oakland, CA and Laura Pflander, San Francisco, CA. Projects have included large-scale commercial sites, private residences and exterior applications. Skills utilized include surface prep, wet saw cutting, layout, setting, grouting and finishing.

PIECEMEAL — 1994 to 1996
Owner, Founder Madison, WI
Company that produced fine mosaic crafts and furniture in ceramic tile, glass and mixed media mosaic for shops,private clients and for sale at art fairs. Work exhibited at fine craft and furniture galleries in Midwest and in California.

ISAIAH ZAGAR — 1991
Apprentice Mosaicist Philadelphia, PA
Six-month apprenticeship with prolific mosaic artist with 30 years experience. Worked on large scale, interior and exterior tile and mirror mosaic murals, facades and sculptural cement forms. Honed skills in cutting, breaking and sorting tesserae, mixing and coloring grout and cement and direct mosaic application. Assisted public projects include the Painted Bride Art Center and public murals on South Street, Philadelphia.

SELECTED COMMUNITY PROJECTS

SELECTED ASSISSTED WORK

ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS

British Association of Modern Mosaics
Society of American Mosaic Artists
Tile Heritage Foundation
Community Built Association
Glass Art Society
Jingletown Arts and Business Association
Pro Arts Oakland

EDUCATION

PRESS AND PUBLICATIONS

TEACHING POSITIONS

Institute of Mosaic Art, Oakland, CA
True Mosaics Studio, Oakland, CA
San Francisco Mosaic Studio
New Orleans School of Glass
Public Glass, San Francisco, CA
Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA
Aba House Cultural Center, Nungua, Ghana
Society of American Mosaic Artist Conference workshop leader, 2007, 2004

LECTURES & PUBLIC SPEAKING

California College of Art (CCA)
Ghana College of Art and Design, Ghana, West Africa
Community Built Association Conference, Monterey, CA 2006
Society of American Mosaic Artists Conference, San Francisco 2004
Precita Eyes Mural Arts, Community Arts Panelist

AWARDS & NOMINATIONS

Arts Leadership Award, Alameda County Arts Commission 2006
Artist of the Year nomination, Oakland Chamber of Commerce 2006
Oakland Indie Awards nomination for Neighborhood Dynamo, 2007

SELECTED RECENT PUBLIC COMMISSIONS

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS

CONTACT