I recently got back from a quick trip to the Chicago Mosaic School for a one-day workshop in smalti.  This was the first time I’d been to the school, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I was totally excited to go.  It turns out my enthusiasm was not unwarranted – the workshop was a blast!

To start, the Chicago Mosaic School itself is a fabulous environment in which to work and learn.  Ample parking in front of the school eliminates the stress of having to find a parking spot in busy Chicago.  Inside the building, beautiful mosaics of all styles, materials, and artists covered the walls.  The school’s front gallery includes a special exhibition space, currently featuring the works of Italian-born and classically trained mosaic master Matteo Randi.  Beyond the gallery, the studio’s open space can comfortably accommodate about two classes plus open-studio students.  A cozy kitchen and lounge area give students a space to relax, and separate the studio from a well-stocked mosaic supply store, Tiny Pieces, in the back.

Our mosaic instructor, Andryea, was awesome – super knowledgeable, straightforward, analytical, and supportive.  She explained and demonstrated basic cutting techniques as well as more subtle details to help us achieve that perfect cut.  I was impressed by how she fielded question after question unfazed to bring us all to a better understanding of the material we were working with, its history, and its properties.

The smalti workshop itself taught us about smalti, of course, but we also learned about adhesives and colorant, substrates, hanging and installation, weatherproofing, and design principles.  The small group size of four made for a very intensive learning experience.  While I didn’t finish my project (I tend to work small, and slowly), the length of the workshop – from 9am to 4pm – gave plenty of time to create and to immerse ourselves in the materials and techniques we were learning.

Given all of this – excellent instruction, topics covered, small class size, and workshop length – the workshop price of $195 was very reasonable, in my opinion.  The price also included materials, and we got to take enough smalti home to finish our mosaics.

Whether you’re looking for a workshop to enrich your mosaic skills or just visiting Chicago and want to fill a day with something creative and fun, I strongly recommend checking out the Chicago Mosaic School!  If you don’t have time for a workshop, drop in anyway – their gallery and Tiny Pieces store are open to everyone and absolutely worth the visit.

Have you been to the Chicago Mosaic School?  Please share your experiences by leaving a comment!