Thursday, September 25, 2014

Celebration of COLOR: Fall Mosaic Workshop in Provence: October 2015





Celebration of Color 
Mosaic Workshop in Provence 
with
Valerie Nicoladze and Laurel True


October 17 - 24, 2015

Experience the colors of fall in the South of France during this inspiring, week-long workshop and tour.

Mosaic artists Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze welcome you to
explore and celebrate color and creativity through mosaics at

Valerie's Esprit Mosaique Studio, near Avignon, in the heart of Provence. Each instructor brings her own style and flair to the workshop, offering students various inspirations and signature lessons.
Workshop includes hands-on studio time with lots of time to create. Students will explore several mosaic-making techniques, focusing on a project utilizing a unique, pigmented cement background, which will be created with local earth pigments. 

Esprit Mosaique Studio is full of joyful color and provides a welcoming place to learn, create and spend time in community with other mosaic enthusiasts
Students have access to a huge array of colorful materials to work with including drawers and drawers full of colorful and exotic materials from all over the world
  for use in the creation of their mosaics.  
Special exercises will include experiments with texture, use of pigmented mortar beds, and combining materials for interesting effects.  Each student will work according to their experience level, and all level of students are welcome.

Google images, "Fall in Provence"..

In addition to enjoying time in the studio, participants will have the chance to eat delicious farm-to-table meals together, stay in a cool Provincial hotel, tour Avignon, and take a very special class on the use of color and natural pigments at the world renown Conservatoire a des Ocres, an atilier located in the rustic countryside near Roussillon, where ocre and natural pigments have been mined for centuries.


A walking tour of the amazing pigmented rock formations in Roussillon will inspire the senses. The nearby village has great shops selling rare and beautiful pigments, as well as boutiques featuring local wine, cheese and olive oil.

The week will culminate with a celebration of color at a garden party and afternoon wine tasting at the home of Valerie and her family.
 

"We hope you can join us on this colorful journey of creative exploration and sensory enjoyment!
 You'll leave Provence refreshed, truly inspired and feeling like family... the good kind!"



 Cost of trip: 
1845 Euro ($2350, check current exchange rates here.)
Investment includes:  Mosaic workshop instruction Accommodations for 8 nights (based on double occupancy, we can help coordinate, single room extra) Transportation from train station or Avignon airport and to and from workshop 
Breakfast and lunches (except for arrival Sunday)
Provincial garden party at Valerie's
All touristic visits
Wine tasting


Cost does not include flight, dinners or personal expenses.
Valerie and Laurel are bi-lingual and workshop and activities will be in English and French.



To register for this workshop, please e-mail Valerie Nicoladze at:  espritmosaique@free.fr
Questions? Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel at laurel@truemosaics.com

       We have only 10 spaces and expect this workshop to fill very quickly! Register early.




Itinerary 2015
Saturday, October 17
Participants arrive and get settled in Hotel de Atelier. 
Laurel and Valerie will meet participants at the train station during two pickup times.

Sunday, October 18

Studio orientation and intros at Esprit Mosaique Studio.
Brief presentations by Laurel and Valerie of their work as it relates to COLOR
Fun color exercise and receipt of studio gifts and swag
Lunch in Avignon as a group (non-hosted) and a chance to explore lovely Avignon.

Evening: Free (get over your jet lag and gear up for a great week ahead!)

Monday,
October 19
Morning: Inspirational quotes/colors, project lessons/demonstrations, materials selection and plan first project
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada (La Strada is an amazing restaurant!)
Afternoon: Studio instruction and work time

Evening:  Optional studio time and collective color project
 
Tuesday, October 20
Morning: Visit to Roussillon Ochres Footpath and pigment shopping in village
Lunch at Restaurant Roussillion with view of countryside
Afternoon: Color class at Conservatory of Ochres

Evening: Free

Wednesday,
October 21
Morning: Studio time
Lunch
at Restaurant La Strada (La Strada is an amazing restaurant!) 

Afternoon: Studio time
Evening:
Optional studio time with French snacks BYO wine
 

Thursday, October 22
Morning: Mosaic studio time, grouting and cement background sample Lunch at Restaurant La Strada (La Strada is an amazing restaurant!)  
Afternoon: Application of pigmented cement to mosaic and wax patina lesson
Evening: Free
 
Friday, October 23
Morning: Laurel gives Global Color presentation/ mortar bed exercise Lunch at Restaurant La Strada Afternoon: Studio time, creation of elegant color study
Evening: Free

Saturday,
October 24
Morning: Studio wrap up
Afternoon: Wine tasting led by wine expert Gilles le Fur
and GARDEN PARTY with lunch 

Goodbyes and departure!




Russillon

Esprit Mosaique Studio
  
La Strada Lunch


Feedback from previous workshop/tour participants:

"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, Ohio


 "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 French/English 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




Above: Your fearless workshop leaders, Laurel True and Valeria Nicoldze

"Valerie hosted me at her beautiful home and studio in Provence and we decided to put together this workshop experience so that mosaic artists could come and enjoy the atmosphere of this amazing area and the warmth and hospitality of Valerie and her family and community.  I came back from that trip bursting with energy, inspiration and a full heart, and can't wait to share this experience with my students!"

- Laurel True, mosaic artist and co-instructor of workshop

" I welcome you to my studio and town, in the hopes that each participant/ student comes away with a feeling of having spent a wonderful week of creativity,  sharing our mosaic passion and fun, discovering the most beautiful places in Provence, with the desire to come back to explore more!  

 - Valerie Nicoladze, mosaic artist and co-instructor of workshop



 Color museum and bookshop near
Russillon

Russillon









Esprit Mosaïque Studio
10 Rue du Compagnonnage
30133 Les Angles

Tél : 06 13 33 49 59


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Summer Mosaic Workshop and Tour in Provence with Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze: June 2015





Mosaic Workshop and Tour in Provence 
with 
Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze

Art and Inspiration in the South of France

June 27- July 4, 2015

Immerse yourself in our week-long experience that will leave you inspired and creatively invigorated for the rest of the year! 

Enjoy the lavender in bloom, farm to table food, wine tasting, exploration of local markets and exhibits, and time to create in an inspiring studio environment.

Join professional mosaic artists and educators Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze at Valerie's Esprit Mosaique Studio in Avignon, France to explore and celebrate creativity through mosaics.  Laurel and Valerie are teaming up for the third year in a row to offer a very special, specifically curated and inspiring trip that will combine hands-on studio time, a community project at a local social center, incredible insider sightseeing and experiential learning, and amazing food...and wine...and cheese...and shopping in Provincial villages...and more.


Esprit Mosaique Studio is full of joyful color and provides a welcoming place to learn, create and spend time in community with other mosaic enthusiasts. This is a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange with international mosaic artists and the North African community served by the Orel Social Center in Avignon.  

Participants will leave Provence feeling like family, having shared food, wine, stories and  community creation.

Laurel and Valerie will share their experience with students in a relaxed studio setting, offering lessons focusing on various techniques including unique precision cutting and setting techniques for glass and ceramic, use of French mosaic tools and materials not  often seen in the States and tip and tricks they have mastered over their combined 40 years of creating mosaics. Each student will work according to their experience level.  


Students of all levels are welcome!

Esprit Mosaique Studio offers a huge array of beautiful materials for students to use in the creation of their mosaics. Drawers and drawers full of colorful and exotic materials from all over the world.  Students will enjoy a guided exploration of materials and color through the creation of work that they will take home.

Mosaics studio sessions are schedules in the mornings and afternoons, with some optional evening sessions, leaving plenty of time to create.

One day of the week will include creation of mosaics elements to be installed at Orel Social Center in Avignon. Students will have a chance to contribute to a permanent mosaic mural that will combine elements made by community at the social center. 

In addition to enjoying time in the studio, participants will have the chance to eat delicious meals together, stay in a cute Provincial hotel, tour Avignon and nearby markets including St. Remy and Les Baux de Provence (a medieval village with an incredible view and violet gelato), visit the breathtaking exhibition at Les Carrieres des Lumieres, as well as enjoy educational wine tastings and a Provincial backyard BBQ at the home of Valerie and her family.
 

We will end our time together with a picnic in a lavender field and visit to the Village of Sault, where quaint shops offer all things lavender. The beauty of the lavender in bloom is indescribable and will stay with you well after you return home.

Our trips in 2013 and 2014 were wonderful...

We can’t wait to offer this trip again next summer!



Cost for trip: 
1850 Euro ($2364 at present, check exchange rates here.)

Investment includes: 

Mosaic workshop instruction
Accommodations for 8 nights (based on double occupancy, we can help coordinate, single room extra)
Breakfast and lunches
Tuesday night BBQ at Valerie's
Transportation from train station or Avignon airport and to and from workshop
All touristic visits to markets and exhibits 
Wine tastings

Cost does not include flight, dinners (except Tuesday) and personal expenses.
Valerie and Laurel are bi-lingual and workshop and activities will be in English and French.


To register for this workshop, please e-mail Valerie Nicoladze at:  espritmosaique@free.fr
Questions? Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel at laurel@TrueMosaics.com

 

Payment can be made through Pay Pal
50% due at time of registration to hold spot.
We have only 10 spaces and expect this workshop/ tour to fill very quickly.

 




 

Itinerary 2014

Saturday, June 27
Participants arrive and get settled in Hotel de Atelier. 

Laurel and Valerie will meet participants at the train station during two pickup times.

Sunday, June 28

Studio orientation and intros at Esprit Mosaique Studio.

Brief presentations by Laurel and Valerie of their work.
Lunch in Avignon as a group (non-hosted) and a chance to explore lovely Avignon.
Evening: Free (get over your jet lag and gear up for a great week ahead!)

Monday, June 29
Morning: Project lessons and demonstrations, materials selection and begin first project
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada (La Strada is an amazing restaurant!)
Afternoon: Studio instruction and work time
Evening:  Backyard Provincial BBQ at Valerie’s house
 

Tuesday, June 30
Morning: Studio work time and instruction
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Studio time
Evening: Optional studio time

Wednesday, July 1
Morning: Visit Provencal market in village of St. Rémy de Provence
Lunch: Villa Glanum Restaurant
Afternoon: Visit art exhibit at Carrières des Lumières and in Les Baux de Provence
Evening: Free

Thursday, July 2

Morning: Mosaic studio time, create element for community project at Orel Social Center 
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Community mural installation at Social Center
Evening: Optional studio time
 

Friday, July 3
Morning: Studio work time and instruction
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Studio time
Evening: Free

Saturday, July 4
Morning/ Lunch:
To conclude our week together we will take a gorgeous walk in a lavender field and enjoy a Provincial picnic in the countryside. Country drive and visit Village of Sault. 

Afternoon: Goodbyes and departure!



Feedback from previous workshop/tour participants:

"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, Ohio


 "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 French/English 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




Above: Your fearless workshop leaders, Laurel True and Valeria Nicoldze

"Valerie hosted me at her beautiful home and studio in Provence and we decided to put together this workshop experience so that mosaic artists could come and enjoy the atmosphere of this amazing area and the warmth and hospitality of Valerie and her family and community.  I came back from that trip bursting with energy, inspiration and a full heart, and can't wait to share this experience with my students!"

- Laurel True, mosaic artist and co-instructor of workshop

" I welcome you to my studio and town, in the hopes that each participant/ student comes away with a feeling of having spent a wonderful week of creativity,  sharing our mosaic passion and fun, discovering the most beautiful places in Provence, with the desire to come back to explore more!  

 - Valerie Nicoladze, mosaic artist and co-instructor of workshop



Doesn't this sound awesome?
 

To register for this workshop, e-mail Valerie Nicoladze at:
 contact@espritmosaique.fr

Questions? Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel True


Cancellation policy:

Cancellations made before April 1st will receive a full refund, minus $100 admin fee
Cancellations between April 1and 15th will receive a 50% refund
Cancellations after April 15th are non-refundable, unless space is filled and in that case there will be a refund minus a $100 admin fee.



For all you left brain folks:

 (Order of these events subject to change, depending on timing/ flow/ etc.)

 

You can see selected photos from the 2013 workshop/ tour here.




Valerie and Esprit Mosaique Studio  



Laurel True with students at Esprit Mosaique Studio

Valerie with student Mary 2013 and Esprit Mosaique Studio

Village of Les Baux de Provence

Workshop participants with community members from Orel Social Center, where we installed mosaic birds and butterflies on the building

 
Valerie's husband Gilles, offers his vast knowledge of wine during a wine tasting during backyard BBQ.


Breakfast room at Hotel de Atelier



 La Strada Restaurant, a short walk from the Studio



 Contemplating wine and beauty. Relaxing and wine tasting in Valerie's backyard.



The inconceivably gorgeous Sault area where we have our final day picnic amongst the lavender fields.







See you in Provence!


Thursday, March 27, 2014





Mosaic Workshop and Tour in Provence 
with 
Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze

Art and Inspiration in the South of France


June 21- 28, 2014

Immerse yourself in an educational trip and tour that will leave you inspired and creatively invigorated for the rest of the year! 
Enjoy the lavender in bloom, farm to table food, wine tasting, exploration of local markets and exhibits, and time to create in an inspiring studio environment.

Join professional mosaic artists and educators Laurel True and Valerie Nicoladze at Valerie's Esprit Mosaique Studio in Avignon, France to explore and celebrate color and creativity through mosaics.  Laurel and Valerie are teaming up for the second year in a row to offer a very special, specifically curated and inspiring trip that will combine hands-on studio time, a community project at a local social center, incredible insider sightseeing and experiential learning and amazing food...and wine...and cheese...and shopping in Provincial villages...and more.


Esprit Mosaique Studio is full of joyful color and provides a welcoming place to learn, create and spend time in community with other mosaic enthusiasts. This is a wonderful opportunity for cross-cultural exchange with French mosaic artists and the North African community served by the Orel Social Center in Avignon.  Participants will leave Provence feeling like family, having shared food, wine, stories and  
community creation.

Instructors will offer lessons focusing on various techniques including fresco cement as a
background treatment, demonstration of the uses of stacked and layered substrates and precision cutting and setting techniques for glass and ceramic. Each student will work according to their experience level.  All level of students are welcome.

Esprit Mosaique Studio offers a huge array of beautiful materials for students to use in the creation of their mosaic pieces. Drawers and drawers full of colorful and exotic materials from all over the world.  Participants will have the opportunity to work with french materials that are not often seen or used in the US. Students will enjoy a guided exploration of materials and color through the creation of a piece that they will take home.

One day of the week will include the creation of mosaics elements to be installed at Orel Social Center in Avignon. We will combine the elements we make with elements made by mosaic students trained by Valerie from the social center, creating a group mosaic project to be installed at the social center.  We will spend an evening meeting our co-creators and enjoy a delicious couscous dinner together.

In addition to enjoying time in the studio, participants will have the chance to eat delicious meals together, stay in a cute Provincial hotel, tour Avignon and nearby markets including St. Remy and Les Baux de Provence (a medieval village with an incredible view and violet gellato), visit the breathtaking and indescribable exhibition at Les Carrieres des Lumieres, as well as enjoy educational wine tastings and a Provincial backyard BBQ at the home of Valerie and her family.
 

We will end our time together with a picnic in a lavender field and visit to the Village of Salut, where quaint shops offer all things lavender.

Our trip in 2013 was an indescribable experience for everyone. 

We can’t wait to offer this trip again this summer!



Cost of this trip $2600
 

Includes: 

Mosaic workshop instruction
Accommodations for 8 nights (based on double occupancy, we can help coordinate)
Breakfast and lunches
Tuesday night family BBQ 
Thursday night couscous dinner
Transportation from train station or Avignon airport and to and from workshop
All touristic visits to markets and exhibits 
Wine tastings

Cost does not include flight, dinners (except Tuesday and Thursday) and personal expenses.
Both instructors are bi-lingual and workshop and activities will be in English and French.


To register for this workshop, please e-mail Valerie Nicoladze at:  espritmosaique@free.fr
Questions? Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel at laurel@TrueMosaics.com

 

Payment can be made through Pay Pal
50% due at time of registration to hold spot.
We have only 10 spaces and expect this workshop/ tour to fill very quickly.

 


Only 3 spots left.. sign up now!


 

Itinerary 2014

Saturday, June 21
Participants arrive and get settled in Hotel de Atelier

Sunday, June 22

Studio orientation and intros at Esprit Mosaique Studio.
Tour of Avignon
Evening: Free (get over your jet lag and gear up for a great week ahead!)

Monday, June 23
Morning: Project lessons and demonstrations, materials selection and begin first project
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Studio instruction and work time
Evening: Free

Tuesday, June 25
Morning: Studio work time and instruction
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Studio time
Evening:  Wine tasting at Tavel Winery
Backyard Provincial BBQ at Valerie’s house

Wednesday, June 26
Morning: Visit Provencal market in village of St. Rémy de Provence
Lunch: Villa Glanum Restaurant
Afternoon: Visit art exhibit at Carrières des Lumières and in Les Baux de Provence
Evening: Free

Thursday, June 27
Morning: Studio work time and instruction
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada
Afternoon: Studio work time and instruction
Evening: Free

Friday, June 28

Morning: Mosaic studio time, create element for community project at Orel Social Center
Lunch at Restaurant La Strada

Afternoon: Install mosaic elements at Orel Social Center
Evening: Couscous dinner with families involved in social center mosaic project

Saturday, June 29
Morning/ Lunch:
To conclude our week together we will take a gorgeous walk in a lavender field and enjoy a Provincial picnic in the countryside. Visit Village of Salut on our way back.
 

Afternoon: Goodbyes and departure!




Feedback from 2013 workshop/ tour participants:

"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, Ohio


 "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 French/English 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




Above: Your fearless workshop leaders, Laurel True and Valeria Nicoldze

"Valerie hosted me at her beautiful home and studio in Provence and we decided to put together this workshop experience so that mosaic artists could come and enjoy the atmosphere of this amazing area and the warmth and hospitality of Valerie and her family and community.  I came back from that trip bursting with energy, inspiration and a full heart, and can't wait to share this experience with my students!"

- Laurel True, mosaic artist and co-instructor of workshop

" I welcome you to my studio and town, in the hopes that each participant/ student comes away with a feeling of having spent a wonderful week of creativity,  sharing our mosaic passion and fun, discovering the most beautiful places in Provence, with the desire to come back to explore more!  

 - Valerie Nicoladze, mosaic artist and co-instructor of workshop



Doesn't this sound awesome?
 

To register for this workshop, e-mail Valerie Nicoladze at:
 contact@espritmosaique.fr

Questions? Contact Valerie (above) or Laurel True


Cancellation policy:

Cancellations made before April 1st will receive a full refund, minus $100 admin fee
Cancellations between April 1and 15th will receive a 50% refund
Cancellations after April 15th are non-refundable, unless space is filled and in that case there will be a refund minus a $100 admin fee.



For all you left brain folks:

 (Order of these events subject to change, depending on timing/ flow/ etc.)
 

You can see selected photos from the 2013 workshop/ tour here.









Valerie and Esprit Mosaique Studio  



Laurel True with students at Esprit Mosaique Studio


Village of Les Baux de Provence

Workshop participants with community members from Orel Social Center, where we installed mosaic birds and butterflies on the building

 
Valerie's husband Gilles, offering his knowledge during a wine degustation during backyard BBQ.


Breakfast room at Hotel de Atelier



 La Strada Restaurant, a short walk from the Studio



 Contemplating wine and beauty. Relaxing and wine tasting in Valerie's backyard.


The inconceivably gorgeous Salut area where we have our final day picnic amongst the lavender fields.





See you in Provence!