Mosaic Workshops
I really delight in passing on what I know about art and making mosaics to motivated adults hungry for information about this unique, historic medium. After 8 years of full time Fine Art University studies and nearly 30 years of full-time professional practice I am well qualified to teach what I know.
My studio workshops are designed to be an immersive experience; where technical and historic information, the savouring of a carefully assembled library and fine music are complemented by lovingly made gourmet tucker and local wines. I work hard to ensure that the whole weekend provides high quality learning with an utterly enjoyable social experience.
Download the 2021 Semester 1 Mosaic Workshop PDF here
February 2021
Found Objects and Memory
Found Objects and Memory- 3 Day Weekend Course fee includes some materials (does not include found object tesserae - BYO, substrates and glue), morning and afternoon teas, lunch Saturday and Sunday; (self-catering and independent finishing of work on Monday). Helen will lead this course building on memory-ware folk traditions and exploring ideas around kitsch and material memory. Participants are encouraged to bring found object tesserae whose encapsulated memories are significant to them and which will…
Find out more »March 2021
GET A GRIP – Beginner Mosaics
Maximum of 5 places per session Course fee includes all mosaic materials (vitreous, porcelain and stone, substrates and glue), morning and afternoon teas, lunch Saturday and Sunday; (self-catering and independent finishing of work on Monday). Beginning with an illustrated lecture on the origins of mosaic, Helen will help participants ‘Get a Grip’ on some of the options for contemporary practice, exploring both technical and conceptual aspects. She will demonstrate how to cut a wide range…
Find out more »April 2021
PICASSIETTE – working with ceramic shards
Course fee includes substrates and glue (does not include ceramic shards so please BYO). Includes morning and afternoon teas, lunch Saturday and Sunday; (self-catering and independent finishing of work on Monday). Helen will lead this course building on picassiette traditions ranging from the Catalan tradition of trencadis, to Raymond Isidore’s work (see https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-cemetery-caretaker-covered-cottage-mind-bending-mosaics) and working with central goldfields found blue and white-ware. Participants are encouraged to bring ceramic shards, either lost & found or custom…
Find out more »May 2021
Translating Paintings to Mosaic using Smalti
Course fee includes substrates and glue (does not include glass smalti so please BYO). Includes morning and afternoon teas, lunch Saturday and Sunday; (self-catering and independent finishing of work on Monday). Translating a painting to mosaic requires a crucial process of design adaptation, as we seek to balance the strength of the original image with the unique characteristics of mosaic. Strong emphasis on planning andamento, together with nuanced palette handling form the focus of this…
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