Laurel True: True Mosaics Studio: February 2009

Time to get down to Beautiful New Orleans!
Spring is one of the best times to be there and there are lots of ways to combine business/ education with fun

Here's the info :

MOSAICS in NEW ORLEANS

I will be returning to New Orleans for April and May and have a pretty extensive line- up of mosaic class offerings lined up, hosted by NOCG. Jump in, it's going to be a fun couple of months.

New Orleans is quickly becoming a very hot art destination with many up and coming galleries, public and renegade installations, art markets and of course music and food.

April and May are chocked full of festivals as well, including the (free) French Quarter Festival (http://www.fqfi.org/ )
and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (http://www.nojazzfest.com/)

Classes I will be teaching by list.. see below for descriptions.

Mosaic For Three Dimensional Forms- Mosaic Sculpture
Architectural Applications for Mosaics- Floors, Walls and More
The Business of Mosaics - Doing What You Love and Making a Living at It
Beginning Glass Mosaics
Intro to Italian Smalti Mosaics- Contemporary Mosaics with Ancient Materials

All courses given at New Orleans Conservation Guild in the historic Bywater neighborhood.
For more information or to register please go to:
http://www.art-restoration.com/workshop.html
or call 504-944-7900

Info on True Mosaics Site:
http://www.truemosaics.com/road.html#3d

Mosaic For Three Dimensional Forms- Mosaic Sculpture
6- week class
Thursday Evenings 6 - 8:30
April 9- May 21st
(Class skips April 30th)
$250
$25 Materials fee (for piece the size of a 3 gallon bucket)
Students must bring own form to mosaic.

This exciting class focuses on issues related to covering three-dimensional, sculptural forms with mosaic. Class will cover appropriate substrates and adhesives, prepping three- dimensional forms to receive mosaic, types of materials appropriate for different surfaces, cutting, shaping and setting mosaic tesserae, correct spacing and laying of tesserae for a professional finish, safety considerations, grouting and finishing 3-D work.

Discussion will include important issues to consider when creating small and larger scale sculptural work as well as a discussion of various ways in which sculptural substrates can be created for both fine art and utilitarian work.

Students should bring in their own three-dimensional form to mosaic to the first day of class that is about the size of a 3-gallon bucket or smaller to complete in the 6-week course. Students may bring larger pieces and continue on their own at the end of the course with their own materials. Forms can be for interior or exterior use.

Some ideas for three-dimensional forms: Concrete birdbath or fountain (unsealed concrete only), large flowerpot or urn, sculptural piece or concrete form.

Students will have access to ceramic tile, glass, mirror and mixed media to use for their mosaic. Students are also welcome to bring materials from home. Lecture and demo will include information on tool use for a variety of materials.

Beginners and continuing students welcome. Minimum 4- Max 8 students.

Please note: this is not a sculpture class. We will be covering already made forms in this class and lecture, demonstration and technique will focus on mosaic setting. As stated above, there will be discussion about the creation of sculptural forms and different methods will be described by instructor and resources will be given for these types of projects.

Recommended reading for students interested in making their own concrete forms to cover before the start of class:

Making Concrete Garden Ornaments by Sherri Werner Hunter
Available online at Mosaic Studio Supply

http://www.mosaicstudiosupply.com/books_online.html

Architectural Applications for Mosaics- Floors, Walls and More
Saturday 10 - 3
Sunday 11- 2
$175
All materials included

Thinking about making a mosaic for your home? This is the perfect class for you. Instructor Laurel True has 18 years experience in the field of mosaics and has completed hundreds of permanent installations in homes, businesses, hotels, schools, parks and more across the United States.

This is a lecture and demonstration format course that focuses on wall and floor applications as well as other permanent installations.

Class will begin with a digital presentation of instructor's architectural work including floors, walls, back splashes, fireplace surrounds, floor and pavement insets, large scale mosaic murals and other site specific work in residential and commercial spaces.

Using a mock-up of a kitchen backsplash and an example of a mosaic floor installation, students are taken through the steps required to complete a successful and durable mosaic application.

Class will cover issues involving choosing the proper substrate, dealing with existing substrates, prepping surfaces, work styles and preparing the area to do a project, correct setting materials, choosing the right type of tile or other tesserae, designing for an architectural application, transfer techniques, methods of setting, including use of fiberglass mesh and other face and back mounted off - site construction methods , mixing thin-set and concrete based fixatives, grouting, caulking and finishing a permanent application.

Special focus will be given to dealing with architectural issues such as thresholds, trims, pipes, plumbing, fixtures and appliances, baseboards, expansion joints, sub flooring and more. Students should expect to take notes and will receive handouts with technical and resource information.

This is an important technical class for those who want to experiment with more permanent mosaic applications and do them right!

Students will see the process of creating a permanent mosaic installation with some hands-on opportunity. (Students do not make an individual project in this class).

Please note: This is not a setting class. It is expected that students will be able to combine this information with basic setting and mosaic skills they already have.

For more information or to register for this course please contact New Orleans Conservation Guild:

NOGUILD@aol.com
or 504-944-7900

The Business of Mosaics - Doing What You Love and Making a Living at It
April 28-30
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Evening 5:30 - 8:30 pm
$195
Includes binder/ materials

This unique course is designed for mosaic artists who are considering formalizing their practice into a business and/ or moving into the professional realm with their work. This three- day course will explore how doing what you love and making a living can coincide successfully, and will focus on the nuts and bolts of having a mosaic business.

Seminar will include lecture, discussion, personal exercises, visual presentations and question and answer sessions.

Topics covered in lecture will include: developing, visualizing and manifesting personal, business and creative goals; establishing a market identity and specialization; pricing and marketing work; building an effective resume and portfolio; documenting, presenting and exhibiting mosaic work; contracts and commissions and applying for public projects.

Students will understand how to present their work and experience accurately and effectively, how to write design and production contracts and create proposals for architectural and public commissions, register a business and understand the basics of business structures, taxes and insurance.

This session would particularly benefit those who are considering going after or starting to receive commissioned projects, want to exhibit their artwork professionally, or are looking for information about how to proceed in the business aspects of mosaics. Class will include a discussion on how to market work in today's economic climate.

Please note: This class is in between the two weekends of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Another great reason to come to New Orleans!
http://www.nojazzfest.com/

Beginning Glass Mosaics
May 9-10
Saturday 10 - 4
Sunday 11-1
$160
All materials included

A great introduction to glass mosaics! Perfect for beginners or continuing students.

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, surfaces suitable for glass mosaic, glass cutting tools, cutting and shaping techniques, lay patterns, fixatives for glass and appropriate applications.

Lecture will include a digital presentation of contemporary glass mosaics and 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 design and create a 12" x 12" glass mosaic for interior display using stained glass and other glass media . No experience necessary, beginning and returning students welcome.

Mosaics for the Garden
May 16-17
Saturday 11 - 4
Sunday 11-1
$160
All materials included

Beautify your garden with colorful mosaic art!
This class will cover the basics and beyond for exterior and garden mosaics.

Lecture will include info on substrates appropriate for exterior use and their preparation, fixatives, setting, grouting and sealing. Information on clay bodies and glazes for exterior use. Ceramic tile for exterior use will be used, which is a bit more challenging to cut than tile intended for indoor use.

This class is great for the beginner as we will be covering tools, cutting techniques, mosaic design and lay patterns...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 or flower pot to take home.

Intro to Italian Smalti Mosaics- Contemporary Mosaics with Ancient Materials
May 23-24th
Saturday 10 - 4
Sunday 10-1
$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 this year 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.

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 x8 mosaic wall hanging to take home. Smalti starter pack provided.

No mosaic experience necessary. This technique is significantly different from more contemporary styles of mosaic setting.

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For more information or to register for these courses please contact New Orleans Conservation Guild:

NOGUILD@aol.com
or 504-944-7900