Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Laurel True: Spring and Summer 2012 Class Schedule

Spring and Summer 2012 Class Schedule 

Here is a current listing of the classes I am offering in New Orleans, Oakland, San Diego and Seattle. Classes are listed by date and all descriptions are linked to host website.


NEW ORLEANS

May 5, 2012
Saturday 10 - 4
Introduction to Glass Smalti Mosaics  
New Orleans School of Art and Craft

To register and for more information:

Mosaic artist Laurel True will introduce students to this wonderful material dating back to the Byzantine Era. Beginners and continuing mosaic students will enjoy learning about this beautiful glass material that is surprisingly accessible.

Smalti is a beautiful, rich and reflective material 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 digital presentation showing how smalti is made in small batches by artisans today in Europe and beyond. Instructor will go on to introduce students to 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 cut smalti, as well as gain an understanding of how to use modern tools with this material with as little waste as possible.

Students will learn how to set smalti directly into a tinted mortar bed using
Italian smalti to create a 6” x 6” mosaic wall hanging to take home. Smalti starter pack and custom-made framed substrate provided.

Level: Any 

Class price $135
Materials: $45

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OAKLAND

July 14-15
Saturday  and Sunday 10am – 4pm
Urban Mosaics
Institute of Mosaic Art


To register and for more information:

In this new class, instructor Laurel True will discuss and present conceptual approaches to creating mosaics in and inspired by the urban landscape including
mosaic graffiti, urban land art, renegade and spontaneous projects. 

Class will include a digital presentation showcasing urban mosaics, materials and artists using these alternative methods internationally.

Students will be introduced to and encouraged to experiment with recycled, mixed media and alternative materials and will work on a series of projects including small, portable mesh or tape- backed pieces that we will put up in the urban landscape. Class will also create a piece of urban land art using mosaic techniques and various media as a group, which will be left in the environment.

Level: Any 

Class price $220
Materials: $25

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SAN DIEGO
 
July 20, 2012
Friday 1 – 5 pm
Mosaic Technique and Practical Applications
Lecture/ Demo/ Q & A with Laurel True

Hosted by:
Norma Yuskos Studio, Encinitas, CA

To register for this class, please contact Laurel True:
info@truemosaics.com

Level: Any 

Class price $100

How to create beautiful and lasting mosaic projects almost anywhere - both indoors and outdoors.

This is a great technical class for students who want to gain a deeper insight into best practices for different types of mosaic applications on a variety of surfaces and in a variety of environments.

Class will cover the basics of exterior and garden applications, basic architectural applications and use of non- traditional surfaces and materials for mosaic.

Students will learn how to select the proper substrate for their project and how to properly prepare these surfaces to receive mosaic, as well as presenting and explaining the uses of a variety of essential adhesives. Special focus will be given to mixing and using thin-set.

Lecture and demo will also include a presentation and discussion of different types of tile and other tesserae and their uses and limitations, methods of setting, fitting tricks and working both on and off site in direct, double direct and indirect methods including the use of fiberglass mesh and tile tape.

Instructor will demonstrate proper tool use for cutting glass, tile, stone and other materials, including specialty cuts made by hand including carving and shaping techniques.

Finally, class will cover grouting techniques for any size project. Instructor will discuss when to grout and when it’s ok not to grout and the use of tinted thin-set as a setting bad for ungrouted work.

This class is great for the beginner and is also appropriate for the student who has already experimented with mosaics and would like to expand their knowledge to include exterior, garden or permanent installations and focus on best practices for all facets of mosaic creation.

 Min 8/ Max 12


July 21-22
Saturday and Sunday 9am - 5pm
Community Mosaic Mural Making – Facilitating and Creating Community-Based Projects
Hands-on workshop led by Laurel True
Studio of Norma Yuskos , Encinitas, CA

To register for this class, please contact Laurel True:
info@truemosaics.com

This weekend intensive workshop lead by community and public artist Laurel True will focus on methodology and techniques for approaching community-based mosaic projects. Students will get a chance to experience group mosaic- making processes through the actual creation of a mosaic mural.
Students will come away from this information-packed workshop with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead and facilitate successful, permanent projects that engage and inspire community.
Workshop will begin with a presentation of successful project models and lecture will include sample pedagogy for including and training community members in the creation of public art. Instructor will cover various approaches to community outreach, design development, sourcing locations and materials and recruiting project participants.
Saturday and Sunday morning will be devoted to lecture and demonstration and the afternoons to practice, which will include hands on training in the creation of a mosaic mural that will be donated to a local non-profit, school or business
Lecture will include step-by-step instructions with complementary images describing multiple approaches to project coordination, management and creation with a focus on creating permanent artworks specific to a host communities’ needs, desires and location. 
Instructor will present several mosaic-making techniques that can be employed with groups with any level of training. Specific teacher/ facilitator training will focus on best practices for technical construction methods so that outdoor, public projects are durable, safe and long lasting. Technical resources will be included in class binder.
Additional topics covered will include:
·      Defining project goals and objectives
·      Project planning, funding and budget creation
·      Project and time management techniques for any scale project
·      Working in and outside of the classroom
               ·     Professional development and entrepreneurial training for participants

        This class will be of particular benefit to mosaic artists and public artists who would like to add a community component to their work, teachers, community organizers and anyone interested in community development and entrepreneurial training through the arts.
Level: 
 Some mosaic experience is recommended
Class fee: $395
Materials: $45
Registered students will be provided with tool list

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SEATTLE

July 27-28
Friday 6- 8:30pm and
Saturday 10 - 3
Introduction to Smalti Mosaics
Seattle Mosaic Arts

To register and for more information:

Mosaic artist Laurel True will introduce students to this wonderful material dating back to the Byzantine Era. Beginners and continuing mosaic students will enjoy learning about this beautiful glass material that is surprisingly accessible .

Smalti is a beautiful, rich and reflective material 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 Friday evening with a digital presentation showing how smalti is made in small batches by artisans today in Europe and beyond. Instructor will go on to introduce students to 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 cut smalti, as well as gain an understanding of how to use modern tools with this material with as little waste as possible.

On Saturday, students will set smalti directly into a mortar bed for their project and will receive information on how to approach future projects. Class will finish with a digital presentation of contemporary smalti projects, both as fine art pieces and as integrated into architectural settings.

Students will use Italian 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 fee: $265
Materials: Included

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SEATTLE

July 29th
Sunday 10-4 pm
Introduction Glass Fusing for Mosaics – One- Day Class
Seattle Mosaic Arts

To register and for more information:


Glass fusing is an exciting technique to add to ones repertoire of mosaic and glass skills and, fused pieces look wonderful in a mosaic.

In this exciting and fun one-day class. instructor Laurel True will present the basics of glass fusing to create individual tesserae and art pieces up to 3". Lecture and presentation will include information on fusing history, types of kilns used for fusing, glass characteristics and limitations and more. Students will be amazed at what glass can do!

A range of fusible glass materials will be presented, such as compatible sheet glass, frits and powders, glass rods, confetti and stringers and their effects in completed pieces shown through the presentation of lots of actual fused examples.

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, strip cutters, grinders and lens (circle) 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.

Lots of great materials will be available including clear and opaque glass in tons of colors, stringers, confetti, frit, rods, mille and dichroic glass. Students wil be able to experiment with many different techniques and come away with a treasure trove of fused pieces for future mosaic projects or to use in an of themselves.

* Pick up of fused pieces within one week of class. Out-of-town students can arrange to have their pieces shipped.

Level: Any
Class fee: $150
Materials: Included


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OAKLAND

August 3, 2012
Friday, 1- 4 pm
The Business of Mosaics - Mini Seminar
Institute of Mosaic Art


To register and for more information:

Join mosaic artist and entrepreneur Laurel True for this informative seminar, which will go beyond the basics of understanding how to launch, grow and sustain a successful mosaic business.
We will focus on business aspects of commissioned work, architectural application and public art.
Topics covered in lecture will include: identifying business and creative goals, establishing a market identity, building an effective resume and portfolio, presenting work accurately and effectively, client relations, interfacing with other design professionals, effectively dealing with the business aspects of  architectural commissioned work and public projects.

There will be a specific focus on creating project budgets, proposals and design and production contracts. Course materials will include templates for contracts, as well as worksheets for project pricing, ordering materials and calculating business expenses, overhead and profit.

This session would particularly benefit those who are considering going after or starting to receive commissioned projects and or public art.

Level: This is a professional development seminar and students should have a working knowledge of mosaic making in order to successfully contextualize the information offered.
Class fee: $125
Materials: $25

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OAKLAND

August 4 - 5, 2012
Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 1pm
Architectural Applications for Mosaic – Floors, Walls and More
Institute of Mosaic Art

To register and for more information:

Instructor Laurel True has almost 20 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.

Level: Intermediate, students should have taken an introductory mosaic class
Class fee: $225
Materials: Included

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