Mosaics
We now offer mosaic projects in our Paint-Your-Own-Pottery section if you would to do a quickie project. Prices depend on the size of the project. We also offer 3-week and 6-week courses providing
instruction in the authentic techniques of classical mosaics.
Click here to go directly to our Mosaic Courses.
We take great pride in offering our mosaic courses in what we refer to as the REAL mosaic art form. Our instruction follows the authentic, old master techniques as seen in European antiquities. Our
courses are listed below, but first, a little history...
The oldest known form of mosaic goes back some 4,000 years ago with the use of clay cones pushed pointed-end first into a wet mud plaster background to strengthen and decorate walls of temples in ancient Babylon.
Roman Mosaics
By the eighth century BC, pebble pavements were created throughout the Roman Empire using colored stones to produce patterns, although these tended to be unstructured decoration.
In the fourth century BC, it was Greek artists brought to Rome who raised the pebble technique to an art form by using smaller pebbles to create defined geometric patterns and detailed scenes of
gods, people and animals.
Byzantine and Roman Mosaics
By 200 BC, this brought about the transition from pebbles to specially cut pieces of stone or marble called tesserae. This gave greater control over the material being used enabling the creation of
more colorful and detailed work. And the expansion of the Roman Empire took mosaics into other cultures.
With the rise of the Byzantine Empire, dominating the world from the 4th-14th centuries and centered in Byzantium (now Istanbul, Turkey), mosaics took on a new complexity that became respected as an art form.
The Byzantines made intricate and well-defined patterns with scenes of people and animals, including religious scenes and portraits of emperors and empresses. Whereas Roman mosaics were mostly used as floors, the Byzantines specialized in covering walls and ceilings. Byzantine mosaics is considered the pinnacle of mosaic art form.
By the 5th century, mosaics took on different characteristics. These included Eastern influences in style and the use of special glass tessarae called smalti, manufactured in northern Italy. These were made from thick sheets of colored glass and contain tiny air bubbles. They are sometimes backed with reflective silver or gold leaf.
The smalti were ungrouted, allowing light to reflect and refract within the glass. Also, they were set at slight angles to the wall, so that they caught light in different ways. The gold tessarae sparkle as the viewer moves around within the building.
Roman images were absorbed into the typical Christian themes of the Byzantine mosaics, although some work is decorative and some incorporates portraits of emperors and empresses.
Mosaics Courses
Beginner Classical Mosaics Course • $200
Wednesdays, March 20 - April 24 / 6:00-8:00pm / Includes Class Materials
Skill Level: Beginner & Continuing
Description: This class is intended for beginning students who want to learn the process of creating a mosaic, and for continuing students who want to learn authentic Roman and Byzantine mosaic techniques. Students will work with stone marble to break their own tiles and will learn to create their own concrete base, cutting, adhesion, tile layout, color theory and grouting.
Notes: Class fee includes tile and materials used in class. Students may want to bring a pair of gloves to wear for the handling of sharp edges. Each student MUST have their own
set of basic tools which may be purchased at the studio at a student discount.
A $100.00 non-refundable deposit required at time of registration. The balance will be payable when the class begins.
May 29 - July 3 / Wednesdays 6:00-8:00pm / Includes Class Materials
Skill Level: Advanced
Description: Smalti is a thick opaque glass developed in the 4th century and used in European antiquities since the time of Constantine. This class was developed for students who want to learn the classical mosaic technique of using Smalti glass and also for students who want to learn the process of creating a mosaic. Students will work with the thick Smalti glass to cut their own tiles and will learn to create their own concreate base, cutting, adhesion, tile layout, color theory and grouting.
Notes:
Class fee includes tile and materials used in class. Students may want to bring a pair of gloves to wear for the handling of sharp edges. Each student MUST have their own set of basic tools which may
be purchased at the studio at a student discount.
A $125.00 non-refundable deposit required at time of registration. The balance will be
payable when the class begins.
Click here to register for Smalti Mosaics Course.
Hanging Garden Mosaic Plaque • $80
February 13, 15, & 20 / 6:00-8:00pm / Includes class materials
Skill Level: Beginner
Description: This decorative panel features a terra cotta pot inserted into the mosaic for you to grow a live plant or just something decorative. With this project, you'll learn to pour your own concrete base, insert the terra cotta pot, and then how to cut glass pieces and then place them within a mosaic background, as well as grouting your finished project.
Notes: Class fee includes materials used in class. Students may want to bring a pair of gloves to wear for the handling of sharp edges. Each student MUST have their own set of
basic tools which may be purchased at the studio at a student discount.
A $40.00 non-refundable deposit required at time of registration. The balance will be payable when the class begins.
Click here to register for the Hanging Garden Mosaics class.
April 6, 13 & 20 / 10:30am-12:30pm / All Materials Included
Skill Level: Beginner
Description: Learn the most ancient form of mosaics, the use of pebbles in various shapes and colors, to create decorative or pictorial patterns. You will utilize the concepts of design, texture and rhythm while arranging the pebbles, and also how to create your own concrete base, adhesion, and grouting. You also have the opportunity to participate in the installation of an outdooor pebble mosaic.
Notes: Class fee includes pebbles and other materials used in class. Students may want to bring a pair of gloves to wear for the handling of sharp edges. Each student MUST have
their own set of basic tools which may be purchased at the studio at a student discount.
A $50.00 non-refundable deposit required at time of registration. The balance will be payable when the class begins.
Click here to register for the Pebble Mosaics class.
Fused Glass Mosaics • $100
May 1, 8, &15 / 6:00-8:00pm / Includes class materials
Skill Level: Beginner
Description: This sweet bumblebee mirror combines fused glass elements with traditional vitreous mosaic tiles. You will learn how to cut and work with glass to compose kiln-fired glass components, and then place them within a mosaic background, as well as grouting your finished project.
Notes: Class fee includes tile and materials used in class. Students may want to bring a pair of gloves to wear for the handling of sharp edges. Each student MUST have their own
set of basic tools which may be purchased at the studio at a student discount.
A $50.00 non-refundable deposit required at time of registration. The balance will be payable when the class begins.
Click here to register for the Fused Glass Mosaics class.
Birdbath Mosaics with Mixed Media • $80
April 27, May 4 &11 / 10:30am-12:30pm / Includes class materials
Skill Level: Beginner
Description: Give the birds a beautiful present this Spring with a mosaic birdbath composed of vitreous and ceramic tiles and all sorts of exciting non-traditional items to add into your composition. You will build on a concrete base, which you'll see a demonstration of how to make yourself, and pick up tips on mosaic design and color theory, as well as grout your finished project.
Notes: Class fee includes tile and materials used in class. Students may want to bring a pair of gloves to wear for the handling of sharp edges. Each student MUST have their own
set of basic tools which may be purchased at the studio at a student discount.
A $40.00 non-refundable deposit required at time of registration. The balance will be payable when the class begins.
Click here to register for the Birdbath Mixed Media Mosaics class.
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