Mosaic Mural Making Workshop in Napa Valley
with Laurel True

August 10 - 15 , 2025 

Workshop Hours:
Sunday, August 10  2pm - 6 pm
Monday - Friday, August 11 - 15  9:30am - 4:30/5 pm
Hosted by: Nimbus Arts, St. Helena, CA
Workshop fee: $1250

Join me in Napa Valley this summer for my signature Mosaic Mural Making Workshop: A celebration of co-creativity and community!

Whether you’re interested in a fun group learning experience, creating commissioned work or infusing your environment with color and joy, this workshop will expand your knowledge and technical skills in mosaic making and prepare you to keep creating.

During this six-day immersive workshop, we’ll create and install a mosaic mural together from start to finish. You’ll learn techniques that I use in the creation of my professional murals through hands-on participation. Fostering a team approach, I engage students in the creation and installation of a complete project while offering technical instruction and best practices for permanent mosaic installations in all climate conditions. 

The workshop includes step-by-step instruction in specific mosaic making principles using ceramic, mirror, and glass, as well as technical lessons in precision tool use*. We’ll focus on construction methods for larger works (which can also be applied to smaller projects), and best practices for installation and grouting techniques for murals and other architectural projects. 

Although we will focus on using tile tape to create the mural off-site, an overview of different project approaches will be presented for working solo or with groups.

This workshop is uniquely designed to help participants of all experience levels gain the knowledge and confidence to go forth and create future projects on their own. A comfortable pace ensures time for questions and one-on-on attention for each participant.

*I specifically focus on the nuance and importance of body position, mindfulness and intention when offering instruction in precision tool use. I offer individualized feedback about how to connect the hand and the brain to get desired results with your tools and materials.

Additional topics include

  • Design tips mosaic murals

  • Design transfer techniques

  • Sourcing materials

  • Coding and mapping techniques for larger work

  • Working with materials of different heights and shapes

  • Understanding which materials can be used in exterior applications

  • Cutting and setting mirror to create beautiful line-work

  • Special considerations for working with mirror

  • Using the Tile Tape Method to create murals (and why I like it better than mesh)

  • Substrates, adhesives, and environmental considerations for murals

  • Tips and tricks for painless installation

  • Working effectively as a team

This workshop offers excellent training for…

  • Curious creators who want to participate in a fun, immersive co-creative experience

  • Those who want to explore larger-scale installations or move into creating larger work

  • Those seeking professional development training in mosaic mural making

  • Mosaic explorers who want to take their skills to the next level

  • Those interested in creating hands-on group projects using professional techniques

  • Artists and teachers who would like to create murals for public spaces or schools

Although some mosaic experience may be helpful, it is not necessary. The workshop is open to adult participants of all experience levels. Beginners are welcome!

Note: Workshop participants will need to bring their own tools. A full list of tools, with links to compare/purchase, will be sent out before the workshop.

I’m so excited to teach in Northern California again, where I spent many years growing my professional mosaic business and teaching practice.

We’ll spend our days in the studio learning and creating, You’ll get a chance to experience the local culture in St. Helena. (Yes, we’ll probably have some wine!) The mural we create during the workshop will be installed in a permanent location for the community to enjoy.

Sunday evening will include a presentation open to the community about my work with communities around the world.

Although there are no formal organized activities outside of the workshop, students are encouraged to gather on their own. Many times students will coordinate their own group evening activities. I’ll provide a list of local resources, restaurants and activities to share ahead of time. 

Workshop participants coordinate their own lodging and transportation. We’ll break for lunch for about an hour each day.

Your Investment

Workshop fee: $1,250
Option to register in full or pay in two installments of $625*.

*If you elect to pay in two payments your second payment is due by June 1, 2025.

To register:

1. Email laureltrue@mac.com to see if there is space in the workshop. I will send registration from and payment information.

2 Print, fill out and return registration form.

3 Send payment:

I’ll send details after you email me. 

Platforms I use: Venmo, Zelle, check or bank transfer.

4.You’ll receive a confirmation that your payment has been received and your spot is secured.

Cancellation Policy for 2025 Mural Making Workshop

Workshop or retreat fee is refundable until June 1, 2025, minus $100 admin fee. After this time fees paid are non-refundable and no credits will be given. No exceptions will be made to cancellation policy. Should any workshop/retreat be cancelled by True Mosaics Studio, the entire amount paid will be refunded within fourteen days after cancellation. True Mosaics Studio shall have no obligation regarding any additional costs or fees related to travel reservations. 

Feedback from former workshop participants

This workshop was a fantastic learning retreat. Laurel is so generous with information. She held nothing back; teaching everything about making a mosaic mural from concept to completion. I finally have the confidence to do it on my own. And because of this workshop, I have the impetus to add a bit more bling here or there in my work.
— Janet R, Louisiana

Laurel, this class was a treasure on so many levels. I love how (Laurel) brought together a diverse set of women and turned us into a creative community that, in the future, will send that warm creative energy out elsewhere to others.

…clear instructions were well prepared, provided a clear and concise framework for tool use, timeframes, and what the next steps in learning and construction would be. (Laurel) took a mosaic mural that required consistent effort over many days…and, with constant positive feedback and reinforcement, made it fun, extremely informative, and, which produced a beautiful, detailed mosaic mural.  

— Kaleth T, Oregon

Thank you for such an absolutely fantastic week. You created magic. The mural is one thing, but your ability to bring people together and foster friendship and familiarity, all with humility and mad teaching skills is, well…incredible.

I have no experience with tile, glass, or mosaic making. I learned about materials, colors, textures, substrates, tools. It was much more than I imagined. Laurel is an intensely organized and passionate teacher…She makes learning fun! I had that child-like feeling of new knowledge that seems to captivate the imagination. If you love art, great teaching, and want a truly enriching experience, this retreat is for you.  

— Christine K, Michigan