mosaic retreat: Smalti & Picassiette Portraiture with Gila Rayberg

Sponsored by the Austin Mosaic Guild!

This course is for  intermediate and advanced students. It is not intended as an introduction to mosaic.

We're so excited to welcome renowned mosaic artist Gila Rayberg to Austin!

Over this four day workshop, you will create a mosaic portrait under Gila's guidance. Gila will share some of the methods she learned at the Mosaic School in Spilembergo, Italy -- with her own personal twists. The materials used will be a combination of Mexican smalti (a thick luscious glass that is rich and vibrant in color) & picassiette (pieces of dishes, saucers, pottery, etc). You may also choose to incorporate additional materials such as stone, marble, and found objects.

Gila will demonstrate proper usage of hand tools to cut and shape each material, and provide a multitude of tips on using these materials in combination to create texture and interest within your mosaic. Each participant will receive individual attention & guidance throughout the workshop while working on their own unique portrait.

Since individuals work at different paces, you may not finish your portrait in the four days. However, Gila will demonstrate the finishing process as well as discuss an individual plan for completion with each student before the end of the workshop. Participants will leave the workshop with a good understanding of choosing a subject, preparing a design, cutting materials, and setting them into a mortar bed, and much more.

​Everyone is encouraged to bring an item or three (dishes, pottery, teacups, etc), which contain designs or patterns to enhance and personalize their chosen subject. Thrift stores and yard sales are perfect, inexpensive sources for finding these materials. 

​

In mid April, you will receive an email from Gila regarding how to prep with your choice of reference images, and a list of additional materials &/or tools that may be helpful for the workshop.

In this workshop you will

• make your own portrait mosaic,
• attend four days of the workshop,
• learn directly from mosaic artist Gila Rayberg in a small class,
• practice the proper usage of hand tools to cut and shape mosaic pieces,
• create your own design with Gila's support,
• receive one-on-one instruction as needed, including making a plan together on how to finish your mosaic portrait if it will take more than four days, and
• hear about Gila's approach to mosaics, especially her twists on techniques from Italy.

What's included

• materials: smalti, substrates, adhesives,
• aprons to wear,
• coffee, hot tea, and filtered water, and
• free on-site parking.

What's not included

• lunch: However, we will set up group orders from neighborhood restaurants to make buying lunch easier every day, for those who opt in. You may also bring your own lunch and snacks, and you will have access to our fridge, microwave, and toaster oven. There will be a one hour lunch break every day.
• personalized materials: If you have a bowl you love that's broken but you can't let go, bring it and turn it into something new! If you see a pattern you love on a plate at the thrift store, grab it and incorporate it into your portrait! Gila will send an email to let you know which tools and additional materials to bring.