Community Project and Mosaic Workshop/Tour in Provence 2019
Art and Inspiration in the South of France with Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze
Personal and community project
June 22 - 30, 2019
8 nights — Arrival day June 22/ Departure day June 30
3 spaces left!
Contribute to a community-based project and explore personal studio time while immersing yourself in the beauty of Provence!
Join mosaic artists Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladzé at Valérie's Esprit Mosaïque Studio near Avignon, France to explore and celebrate your creative spirit through mosaic art.
This carefully curated experience will combine hands-on studio time, insider sightseeing, experiential learning, amazing food and wine, visits to local markets, an invitation to a family backyard bbq and a walk through the countryside when the lavender is in bloom.
Participants will enjoy time to create together in an inspiring studio environment with Valerie and Laurel, a dynamic teaching team with the shared philosophy that creative expression is accessible to all.
Esprit Mosaïque Studio is full of inspiration and color, offering a welcoming place to learn, create and spend time in community with other mosaic enthusiasts. The studio is stocked full of beautiful, unique materials from around the world for students to use in a personal project to take home. A selection of bases for mosaic projects in various shapes and sizes will be provided.
Students can select from a variety of forms in the shape of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and more, or on a more classic base.
Laurel and Valérie will share their over 40 years of combined experience with students, offering lessons focusing on various techniques including precision cutting and setting techniques for glass and ceramic.
Lessons offered will include:
• Use of mosaic tools including those specific to France
• Combining different materials and texture effectively
• Mosaic setting with glass, ceramic and mixed media
• Special cuts for mirror and glass for exciting visual effects
• Color combining and design direction
• Grouting with tinted grout
• Additional lessons addressing permanent and community-based mosaic projects (see below)
Each student will work on a personal project according to their experience level with one-on-one guidance. Projects will focus on exploring light, color and texture through the use of diverse materials.
No mosaic experience necessary…students of all levels are welcome! Students can easily fit their completed mosaics pieces into their suitcases for return home.
During this session participants will also have the opportunity to participate in a special community-based mosaic project which will be installed during the workshop in the center of Rochefort du Gard, a village dating back to the middle ages. Workshop participants will contribute to the project, designed by Valerie, during scheduled times during the week and learn how to create and install a permanent project using tile tape or mesh.
Laurel and Valerie will offer a presentation addressing several different methods for approaching, creating and installing community projects and show images of successful project models.
More Specifics:
Workshop participants stay each year at Hotel de l’Atelier, quaint well-appointed hotel in Villeneuves les Avignon, a short ride from the studio.
Lunches during the week will be taken together at a great local restaurant walking distance from the studio.
Mosaics studio sessions are scheduled in the mornings and afternoons, with an evening session dedicated to the above mentioned community project.
Students have most evenings on their own to dine and explore the many restaurants in all price ranges within walking distance in Villeneuves. Avignon, a charming city founded in the Middle Ages, is a short taxi ride away should students want to explore during the evenings.
During the week, participants will enjoy a visit to a bustling Provincial market in the village of St. Remy, where there is a museum dedicated to Van Gough, who painted the views around St. Remy extensively during his life.
The tour includes an excursion to the unforgettable Carrieres des Lumieres, a unique immersive art exhibit in a former quarry, with a stop in medieval village Les Baux de Provence - which has an incredible view… and violet gelato!
One morning will be dedicated to community project installation in Rochefort du Gard.
One of past participants favorite parts of the week is an invitation to a backyard bbq at the home of Valerie and her family and a wine tasting of regional wines.
The workshop experience will end with a picnic in a lavender field (for real) on the final day and a visit to the Village of Sault, where village shops offer all things lavender.
The beauty of the lavender in bloom is indescribable and will stay with you well after you return home!
The June 2019 session will be Valerie and Laurel’s 7th Celebration of Color Workshop and Tour.
Jump in and join in the creative adventure of a lifetime!
Former participants have said the experience was life changing, a one-in a-lifetime experience, the highlight of their year and more. Friendships are made, adventure abounds and color and warmth are infused in every part of the experience.
Cost:
2395€ /Euros for single room /8 nights
2075€ /Euros for double occupancy /8 nights (2 rooms available - 4 spots)
Your investment includes:
Mosaic workshop instruction
Accommodations for 8 nights .
Breakfast every day, lunch Thursday - Tuesday
Bbq and wine tasting on Thursday night
Transportation from hotel to and from workshop each day
All touristic visits to markets and exhibits
Cost does not include flight, taxi to/ from train station to hotel, dinners (except bbq) and personal expenses.
A deposit of 500€ /Euros is due upon registration to hold a spot
remainder of payments can be made win one of two installments
Final installment due by April 1st
All payments are in Euros via pay pal
For complete registration information: Please please e-mail Valérie Nicoladzé at: espritmosaique@free.fr
Questions? Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel at laurel@TrueMosaics.com
We have only 12 spaces and expect this workshop to fill very quickly … register early !
Note: Workshop and activities will be in English with French translation as needed.
Feedback from previous workshop/tour participants:
"The workshop exceeded my expectations. It was a magical "out of this world” experience."
— Jihan Mezaina, Dubai, UAE
"This was a seriously fabulous trip in every aspect, start to finish.I was so impressed with the planning and execution of details, thrilled with the studio, and deeply blessed to spend a week with so many beautiful women and one rocking’ guy. Bring it on in 2019!"
— Pam Pardue Goode, Charlotte, NC
"Valerie's studio, project and supplies were the stuff of dreams! The accommodations were fantastic and the village we stayed in was like an American fantasy of what Provence could be...the excursions were all fantastic and the opportunity to have a meal at a French home as well as a picnic...I can't even express what precious memories those will remain for me! I mean really, the entire trip was great!”
— Karen R, Toledo, OH
"I loved every second…"
— Mary W, Seattle, WA
"The special people that I met will forever be in my heart and memories."
—Susan R, Albany, NY
"Laurel and Valerie are an amazing teaching team! They each have fantastic personalities and teaching styles. Great class for first timers or more advanced mosaicists. I loved the combination of creative time and exploring Provence time. Every part of this trip was amazing!”
— Jennifer N, Carlsbad, CA
“This trip was so much more than only a mosaic workshop. It was a wonderful experience in France that I will remember fondly! I cant think of how any other mosaic workshop could even come close to this. I love the piece I created and it’s already on my bedroom wall. Thank you with all my heart!”
— Yolanda G, Southern California
