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 and has the potential to include a wide range of materials.
You will have an opportunity to play with materials and discover how they affect each other as neighbours and collaborators. You will be working on your 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 practice 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 to all, for the beginner to discover, and those with some experience the space and support to develop their skills, in this creative environment.
Arrival Day - this is the first date listed above
Courses start early evening. Residential students to arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 6.45pm.
6.45pm: Welcome, followed by dinner (included).
8 - 9pm: First teaching session, attendance is essential.
Daily timetable
Classes 9.15 - 5pm, lunch is included.
From 6.30pm: Dinner (included for residential students).
Evening working - students may have access to workshops, but only with their tutor's permission and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.
Last day
Classes 9.15am - 3pm, lunch is included.
Residential students are to vacate their rooms by 10am please.
(This timetable is for courses of more than one day in length. The tutor may make slight variations)
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.