Workshops and Courses

The Ancient Art of Mosaics with a Modern Twist

Where: The Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts, 113 Kam Lake Rd, Yellowknife, NT

When: June 6 - 8, 2025, June 6: 7 - 9 pm, June 7: 10 - 3 pm and June 8: 10 -3 pm

About: This workshop is for both beginners and people who have some mosaic experience.

Students will learn the traditional techniques of ungrouted mosaics while using both traditional and contemporary materials. We will cover mosaic design, materials choices and cutting techniques. We will also discuss the importance of andamento or the flow of the mosaic.

Time will be spent allowing each student to try using the hammer and hardie, which are the traditional tools used to cut stone and smalti (the traditional glass used in mosaics).

Each student will create an 8” (20 cm) x 10” (25 cm) wall mosaic to take home.

The plywood substrate (base), thinset adhesive, thinset tints, a variety of marble, stone and glass will be available for students to use. Each student is also encouraged to bring any materials they would like to add to their mosaic artwork, such as shells, beads, ceramics, etc.

For more information or to register contact the Yellowknife Guild of Arts and Crafts at https://ykguild.nt.ca or yellowknifeguild@gmail.com

Cost: $377

Traditional Mosaic Techniques Meet Contemporary Design

Where: Neilson Park Creative Centre, 56 Neilson Dr., Toronto, ON

When: Saturday, Sept. 13th and Sunday, Sept. 14th, 2025

About: Students will learn the traditional techniques of ungrouted mosaics while using both traditional and contemporary materials with abstract designs. We will cover mosaic design, materials choices, along with substrate prep, and how to use thinset. We will also discuss the importance of andamento or the flow of the mosaic. Students are encouraged to come to the workshop with a simple abstract design in mind.

Time will be spent allowing each student to try using the hammer and hardie, which are the traditional tools used to cut stone and smalti (the traditional glass used in mosaics) as well as how to use two-wheeled glass cutters and nippers.

Each student will create a 6” (15 cm) x 8” (20cm) wall mosaic on a plywood base to take home.

For information and to register: https://www.zeffy.com/ticketing/mosaic-workshop-with-valerie-brownell-2

Cost: $325.00 CAD