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Class Descriptions

Mosaic by New Orleans Student

GLASS MOSAIC FLEUR DE LIS
Date: October 16-17
Instructor: Laurel True
Times: Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 10am - 1pm
Level: Any. Beginners welcome!
Prerequisite: Intro to Glass Mosaics class is a helpful prerequisite, but not required
Cost: $160
Materials: All materials provided

Join instructor Laurel True for this unique class, great for any level of students. Celebrate New Orleans with the creation of a glass mosaic featuring the ever- popular and beautiful symbol of the fleur de lis. Learn about the history of the symbol that we associate with everything New Orleans. Instructor will present basic glass cutting techniques as they relate to mosaic image making, as well as focusing on design, color and laying of mosaic pieces to achieve desired effects when describing a specific shape.

Students will have dozens of different fleur de lis images to use as inspiration for the creation of a glass mosaic wall piece to take home and display, or give as a gift. Class will cover finishing the piece for hanging, framing options and presentation. Join fellow mosaic enthusiasts for this great project- specific class.

INTRO TO ITALIAN SMALTI MOSAICS — CONTEMPORARY MOSAICS WITH ANCIENT MATERIALS
Date: October 2 - 3
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.

MOSAIC GIFT MAKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Dates: December 4 - 5
Time: Saturday 10-4, Sunday 10-4
Instructor: Laurel True
Level: Some mosaic experience is helpful, but not required
Cost: $175 all materials included
Materials fee: $25

Join instructor Laurel True for a fun weekend full of mosaic projects, perfect for holiday gift giving. Students will have their choice of making several small projects or one larger project using glass, mirror and mixed media. Project options include: Glass lamp, votive holders, picture frame, coasters, small vase or bottle and mosaic mirror. Students may bring their own items to cover with mosaic. Please confirm that items are prepared correctly to receive mosaic.

Class will include all lecture, demo and instruction necessary for students to create and complete their projects. Day one will be dedicated to project creation and day two to grouting all projects.

This will be a fast- paced and fun class and a great way to get together with other mosaic enthusiasts before the holidays AND to come away with gifts for several people on our list.

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.