A Celebration of Color
Mosaic Workshop and Tour in Provence
Working with Pigments and Texture
October 17 - 25, 2020
8 nights — Arrival day October 17/ Departure day October 25
Soak in the colors of fall in the South of France during this inspiring, week-long workshop and tour, which which focuses on exploring and experimenting with the rich natural pigments of France.
Artist-Instructors Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladzé welcome you to explore and celebrate color and creativity through mosaic art at Valerie's Esprit Mosaique Studio, near Avignon, in the heart of Provence.
The October session of Celebration of Color combines studio time, experiential learning, delicious food and a visit to the breathtaking region of Roussillon where ocher and natural pigments were mined for centuries. Participants will take a walking tour amongst the awe-inspiring, pigmented rock formations and visit the nearby village, with small shops selling rare and beautiful pigments and locally made cheese, wine and olive oil.
Included is a guided tour and special workshop to learn about the historical production and use of natural pigments at the world-renown Conservatoire a des Ocres, an education and resource center located in the rustic countryside near Roussillon.
All this inspiration will be taken back to the studio and participants will enjoy plenty of studio time to create, while learning and honing mosaic techniques.
Esprit Mosaïque Studio (celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary in 2020!) is full of warmth 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.
Valerie and Laurel are a dynamic teaching team with the shared philosophy that creative expression is accessible to all, each bringing her own style and flair to the workshop, offering students various inspirations and signature lessons.
Students will explore several mosaic-making techniques, focusing on a project utilizing a pigmented cement background that will be created with local earth pigments. (For those who like more color in their color, there is a huge range of colored pigments to choose from.) Additional exercises will include experiments with texture, use of pigmented mortar beds, and combining materials for interesting effects.
Each student will work on one or two personal projects according to their experience level with one-on-one guidance. No mosaic experience necessary…students of all levels are welcome!
Additional techniques presented will include
Use of mosaic tools including lesser-known European tools
Precision cutting and setting techniques for glass, mirror, ceramic and mixed media
Combining different materials and working with texture effectively
More Specifics
Workshop participants stay at Hotel de l’Atelier, a quaint well-appointed hotel in Villeneuve les Avignon, a short ride from the studio. Students have been well taken care of for 7 years running by Hotel de l’Atelier’s amazing staff.
Lunches during the week are enjoyed together at a great local restaurant walking distance from the studio. Mosaics studio sessions are scheduled in the mornings and afternoons, with an optional evening session.
Students have most evenings on their own to dine and explore the many restaurants in all price ranges within walking distance in Villeneuve or in Avignon, a short taxi ride away. There is one optional group dinner during the week in Avignon
The colorful week will end with an afternoon garden party and wine tasting at the home of Valerie and her family. This special afternoon includes a wine tasting of regional and local wines, led by Valerie’s husband, Gilles Le Fur, a consultant in the world of French wine. Past participants have loved the educational information about wine production and tasting lessons offered in Gilles’ easy and humorous style. The afternoon meal includes multiple courses of delicious food including savory Provencal treats, grilled specialties, a variety of cheeses and special dessert course to celebrate the end of the workshop and the 10-year anniversary of Esprit Mosaique Studio.*
*The October 2020 session will also be Valerie and Laurel’s 11th Celebration of Color Workshop and Tour.
Jump in and join in the creative adventure!
Former participants have said the experience was “life changing”, and “the highlight of their year” . Friendships are made, adventure abounds and color and warmth are infused in every part of the experience. Participants go home feeling like family.
Note: Workshop and activities will be in English with French translation as needed. Workshop and tour activities may need to be shifted around in the case of unexpected weather conditions.
Cost
2865€ /Euros for single room /8 nights
2565€ /Euros for double occupancy /8 nights (2 rooms available - 4 spots)
Investment includes:
Mosaic workshop instruction
Accommodations for 8 nights .
Breakfast every day, lunch Monday - Saturday
Afternoon garden party lunch and wine tasting on Saturday
Transportation from hotel to and from workshop each day
All touristic visits and pigment workshop at OKHRA
Cost does not include flight, taxi to/ from train station to hotel, dinners (except soirée) or personal expenses.
A deposit of 500€ /Euros is due upon registration to hold a spot, remainder of payments can be made one or two installments. Final installment due one month before workshop start date. Late registrations accepted on a space available basis. Payments can be made via wire transfer or pay pal.
For complete registration information please e-mail Valérie Nicoladzé at: espritmosaique@free.fr
Questions?
Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel @ truemosaics dot com
There are 12 spaces available and workshop to fills quickly so register early !
Additional sessions offered in June and October 2020.
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Feedback from previous 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 can’t 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
