Spring Mosaic Classes in New Orleans 2011
Hello All,
I am teaching some great mosaic classes this Spring at New Orleans School of Art and Craft. Please scroll down and take a look at classes for all levels.
This is the last set of classes I will be offering in New Orleans before next fall.
Please forward to anyone you think might be interested!
Happy Spring,
Laurel
To register or for more information please go to:
http://www.art-restoration.com/school/instructors/ltrue.htm
BEGINNING GLASS MOSAICS
March 26 - 27th, 2011
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm, Sunday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
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. 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. Discount available for students who have previously taken this class.
Level: Any
Class price: $175
Materials: All materials and tools provided
Class size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10
MOSAICS FOR THE GARDEN
April 2-3, 2011
Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Beautify your garden with colorful mosaic art the Spring!
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. Discount available for students who have previously taken this class.
Level: Any
Class price: $175
Materials fee: All materials and tools provided
Class size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10
GLASS FUSING FOR MOSAICS
Monday Evenings
April 4,11 and 18th, 2011
Glass fusing is an exciting technique to add to ones repertoire of mosaic and glass skills and, fused pieces look wonderful in a mosaic. And it is easy to learn!
In this three- session class, instructor will present the basics of fusing individual tesserae and tiles and art pieces up to 4". Fusing materials such as compatible sheet glass, frits and powders, glass rods, confetti and stringers and even millefiore will be presented and their effects in completed pieces shown.
Students will learn both basic and trickier glass cutting techniques to get started with or further expand their cutting skills with a myriad of glass tools, including scoring tools, breakers and cutters.
Instructor will present examples of many different effects students can achieve combining different types, colors and qualities of fusible glass, inclusions such as metal, mica and gold and silver leaf and other exciting techniques. Rigging and hanging mechanisms for decorations and small plaques will be demonstrated as well.
Lecture will include information on fusing history, chemistry and glass characteristics and limitations. Students will be amazed at what glass can do.Lots of great materials will be available including clear and opaque glass in tons of colors, stringers, confetti, frit, rods, and dichroic glass.
Students take home what they learn and absorb on day one and get to experiment further in the second and third class, putting even more creative ideas in to action. There will be a firing between class one and two and at the end of class three. Resources for "warm glass" and fusing will be offered for further study. Students will get ample time to make lots of work in this weekend extravaganza class!
Level: Any
Class price: $150
Materials: $60
Class size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10
INTRO TO ITALIAN SMALTI MOSAICS — CONTEMPORARY MOSAICS WITH ANCIENT MATERIALS
April 16-17, 2011
Saturday 10 am - 4 pm, Sunday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
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.
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.
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.
Level: Any
Class price: $175
Materials: $60
Class size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10
TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR MOSAIC
May 14-15, 2011
Saturday 10 am – 4 pm, Sunday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
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 whether 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.
Level: Intermediate, intro class suggested.
Class price: $195
Materials fee: All materials and tools provided
Class size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10
Nationally Touring Lecture Presentation
THE POWER OF ART:
BUILDING CREATIVE CAPITAL THROUGH COMMUNITY MOSAICS: Laurel True’s Community Mosaic Projects in the US, Africa and Haiti
Friday, May 20, 2011
6-8 pm
Sliding scale $10-40
This is a fundraiser for the Mosaic Artwork Fund for Mirebalais Hospital, Haiti. This hospital is being built by Partners in Health and will bring much needed healthcare to Haiti’s central region.
During this inspiring presentation, longtime community mosaic artist Laurel True will present images of numerous community mosaic projects she has facilitated nationally and internationally over the last 18 years in the US, Kenya, Ghana and Haiti. This first- time offered lecture presentation showcases the power of art and how community mosaics can transform lives and the environments in which they are sited.
Project documentation from a variety of projects will highlight both the community process and resulting public projects. Laurel's process working with community ranges from renegade street art to organized programming through schools and community centers. She partners with non-profit and community organizations to develop unique projects that reflect the individuals who create them as well as the communities that surround them.
Through community supported fundraising, Laurel has been able to teach and train hundreds of project participants including youth, adults, trades people and teachers in mosaic techniques.
Her efforts have brought arts education and entrepreneurial training to underserved communities in urban and developing areas. These projects foster creative expression, teamwork, neighborhood beautification and community development through public, permanent, community based art.
Laurel will talk about the short and long-term effects of projects in public spaces, parks, hospitals and schools and share her development plans for her upcoming projects in partnership with Partners In Health for a new hospital in Mirebalais, Haiti, which will bring mosaic public art to the hospital as well as training Haitian trades people in architectural mosaic making techniques.
FACILITATING COMMUNITY MOSAIC PROJECTS LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY
Seminar/Workshop with Laurel True
May 21 - 22, 2011
Saturday and Sunday 10 am - 4pm
This two-day seminar lead by community and public mosaic artist Laure True will focus on methodology and techniques for approaching community mosaic projects.
Students will come away from the workshop armed with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead and facilitate successful community mosaic projects.
Class will cover different approaches to community outreach, sourcing locations, materials and volunteers locally and abroad and group mosaic making techniques that can be employed with groups with any level of training.
Participants will be taken through multiple scenarios for designing and facilitating community mosaic projects using actual case studies from various communities and environments. Presentation will include step-by-step instructions with complementary images and detailed instruction to describe multiple approaches to project coordination, management and creation.
This course is heavy on the nuts and bolts issues. Class will be introduced to a host of variables and project approaches, therefore expanding the possibilities for community mosaic project creation specific to a particular communities’ needs, unique location and circumstances. Class will include several breakout sessions and some group work.
Topics and issues covered in class will include:
· Defining project goals and objectives
· Project planning, development, funding and budget creation
· Agreements and contracts with host organizations
· Design development appropriate to host community and location
· Project and time management techniques for small to large-scale projects
· Working in and outside of the classroom
· Environmental and climate issues and their effects on project planning and management
Class will address working in urban and rural environments, working with both youth and adults, other artists and trades people and how community mosaic training interfaces with entrepreneurial development. Special considerations for international projects in developing countries will be discussed.
This class will be of particular benefit to mosaic artists, teachers, community organizers and anyone interested in community development and entrepreneurial training through the arts.
Note: Some knowledge of mosaic making techniques is helpful, but not necessary. Class will not be creating an actual mosaic project during class time. Instructor can give participants with no mosaic experience suggestions for other classes to take to compliment the information presented in this seminar, which will best fit their goals.
Level: Any, some mosaic experience helpful
Class price: $325
Materials fee: NA
Class size: Minimum 6, Maximum 10
Instructor Bio:
Laurel True is a public artist, educator and community organizer specializing in large-scale and site- specific mosaic projects. Her projects are focused mainly in urban and developing areas and she is committed to fostering arts education and entrepreneurship both in and out of the classroom. True is co-founder of the Institute of Mosaic Art in California and has lectured and taught internationally. Her work has been featured in independent and mainstream media, books and publications. She has created and facilitated over a hundred projects over the last 20 years. She is a member of the Community Built Association, the Society of American Mosaic Artists and Americans for the Arts.
Photo credits: PIH, Elizabeth Whelan and True Mosaics Studio
