Tag Archives: Touchstone Center

Exploring Mosaics in Glass Retreat, September 2013

9 Jan

Exploring Mosaics in Glass
with Bonnie Fitzgerald
September 6 – 9, 2013
$345 + Your Choice Lodging / Meal Plan

Mosaic Workshop Bonnie FitzgeraldJoin Maverick Mosaics’ founder Bonnie Fitzgerald for a 4-day mosaic retreat at Pennsylvania’s only residential craft school, Touchstone Center for Crafts. At Touchstone, nature and creative energy combine to produce a unique synergy and students learn in an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie.

Exploring Mosaics in Glass is a comprehensive class offering a strong foundation for constructing decorative art mosaics. Students will be introduced to several types of glass materials applicable to mosaics. Day one begins with an overview of contemporary glass mosaics and their role in both the decorative and fine art world. We will then cover design principles, terminology and technical considerations. We will dedicate a portion of Saturday to design work, including composition and color theory. Students will then solidify their design and create their mosaic cartoon. Students are encouraged to create original designs; however, the instructor will have optional patterns available for those who feel more comfortable creating from an existing design. Our last day will be spent on grouting and finishing techniques, friendly critique and Q & A.

Materials offered will include stained glass, vitreous tiles, art glass tiles, millefiori, fused glass and glass gems. Instructor will provide an ample amount and variety of materials for you to complete your project. Students are welcome to bring supplemental materials that they may wish to incorporate into their design, and a suggested materials list will be sent out 2 weeks in advance.

Saturday and Sunday will be full studio days allowing for plenty of time for fun and creativity, with time allotted to enjoy our beautiful surroundings with walks and fresh air!

This workshop is suited for anyone new to mosaics or folks wishing to take their work to a new level. Students can expect a great deal of personal instruction and guidance.

Suggested projects include a 16’ X 20” mirror surround or a home décor piece measuring approximately 1 square foot. Students must provide their substrate (instructor will provide resources in advance). You may work on any 2-dimensional project. A separate supply fee of $45 will be payable to the instructor. Fee includes tool loan, ample selection of tesserae, adhesive and grout.

Mosaic Workshops Bonnie FitzgeraldTo view Bonnie’s portfolio with many glass mosaic examples please visit Bonnie Fitzgerald Art.

Touchstone Center is located in the Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, PA. They offer full room and board in residence halls or cabins. Click here to visit the Touchstone Center website for more information.

Workshop and lodging reservations will be handled through Touchstone beginning February 2013. Students are strongly encouraged to pre-register directly with Bonnie.

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Sourcing Local Stone Retreat: May, August 2013

14 Nov

Note: May Retreat is 3/4 Full!

Mosaic Retreat: Pennsylvania
What Lies Beneath Our Feet:
Sourcing and Working with Local Stone
with Rachel Sager
May 17 – 20, 2013
August 18 – 23, 2013

Rachel Sager Mosaic Art RetreatsJoin award-winning and internationally exhibited mosaic artist, Rachel Sager Lynch, in her journey into the magic of sourcing local Southwestern Pennsylvania stone and turning it into elegant tesserae, the building blocks of mosaic. This 5 day intensive will cover building a sturdy substrate, mixing and applying high-quality thin-set mortar, cutting with hammer and hardie, the classic tool of the Italian mosaic maestros, learning the nuances of andamento, the flow and pathways of mosaic. The field trip part of the workshop will include Rachel’s singular process of hunting and gathering for her material. This will be a challenging but also contemplative workshop and students will learn valuable cutting skills along with mosaic philosophy. You will leave with a 12” x 12” mosaic but more importantly you will take home specific knowledge of an ancient medium translated into a contemporary format.

Rachel Sager Mosaic Art RetreatsMaterials: Students are asked to bring work clothes, good walking shoes for field trips, an apron, safety glasses, and a stone hammer and hardie if possible. If you are serious about learning to work with stone, you are highly encouraged to invest in the hammer for this class. If not, you will have to share with others. Contact Rachel for information on where to purchase hammer and hardie. Logs to set the hardie into will be ready for you when you arrive. Students are also invited to bring some stone from their own native areas for identification and experimenting.

Details:

Extended Weekend Workshop: May 17-20, 2013
Friday: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Orientation
Saturday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming
Sunday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming
Monday: 9:00 – 2:00, Programming

Weeklong Workshop: August 18-23, 2013
Sunday: 7:00 – 9:00 PM, Orientation
Monday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming
Tuesday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming
Wednesday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming
Thursday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming
Friday: 9:00 – 5:00, Programming and Clean-Up
Saturday: 10:00 AM Check-Out

Lodging and Meals: Touchstone Center offers full room and board in residence halls or cabins. More information is available here.
Cost: May Workshop Fee will be $300 + $100 Materials Fee + Your Choice Lodging/Meal Plan
August Workshop Fee will be $500 + $100 Materials Fee + Your Choice Lodging/Meal Plan
Registration: Official registration and lodging selections will be available soon through Touchstone; however, students are strongly encouraged to pre-register directly with Rachel.

Rachel Sager Mosaic Art RetreatsMore About Rachel: Rachel Sager Lynch, a Fayette County native, works on the cutting edge of the contemporary mosaic fine art movement. Her work has been represented in cities throughout the U.S. and internationally and has been awarded multiple Bests of Show in juried exhibitions. Her Marcellus Shale Series stands as a true Pittsburgh success story and her work is collected with passion by private clients and corporations all over the world. Her time spent studying with Italian maestros has shaped her mosaic philosophy and she brings these classical techniques home to her native Southwestern PA with its sandstone, limestone, slate and coal seams.

Registration or More Information here.

Rachel Sager’s Website is here.

Touchstone Center’s website is here.

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