Ref: SLW40623
Explore the qualities of mosaics and their use in interior or garden design, as clothing of architecture or sculpture, and as fine art or decoration. This tactile and visual medium has the potential to include a wide range of materials.
You will have an opportunity to experiment with materials and discover how they affect each other as neighbours and collaborators. You will be working on individual projects, adhering materials directly onto a base. You may wish to follow a design or allow the materials to suggest ideas to you, taking a more intuitive approach. You will be able to recognise and choose which style(s) to work in.
Copying mosaics is not encouraged, as one of the aims of this course is to interact imaginatively with the materials and the medium, as well as learning a set of skills. You will have an opportunity to practise using the hammer and hardy to break up stone, as well as other tools, such as tile nippers for more regular materials.
By the end of the course, you will be able to work independently on projects using the direct method, distinguish a number of different styles commonly used in the medium, and research and develop ideas for further projects. This course offers opportunity for all, for the beginner to discover and to give those with some experience the space and support to develop their skills in a creative environment.
The course fee includes a pack of mosaic tiles, grout and a base.
No required preparation is necessary; however, if there are some materials you have collected that you think may be suitable, please bring them. If you would like to bring your own base to work on, different from the one we provide, please do so. Please bring ideas for designs.
Apron Enclosed toe footwear (essential)
Available from shop:
Available from tutor:
Please wear appropriate clothing/aprons for the workshop or studio. This includes stout covered footwear, i.e. no open-toes or sandals.
Arrival day - first date of course
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm for registration
Student welcome, followed by dinner: 6.45pm (dinner included)
Teaching session: 8pm-9pm (attendance is essential)
Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am-5pm
Morning session: 9.15am-12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm-2pm (lunch included)
Afternoon session: 2pm-5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Departure day - last date of course
Course teaching: 9.15am-3pm (lunch included)
Teaching finishes: 3pm
Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am.
Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.
Vanessa Benson is a London-based Artist working predominantly in the mosaic medium. She studied painting at Camberwell School of Art and lived in Italy for 8 years in the 80's, where she studied mosaics She has been teaching mosaics in adult education and running community projects since 1993.
Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.
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