Since Byzantine times, mosaics adorning church and palace walls have been created using a variety of materials, from traditional small Roman tiles to the sought-after Venetian glass tiles or "smalti."
This class focuses on the luminous translucent results that are possible when using cut stained glass and smalti as the mosaic material, accented with colorful grouting. Students work three-dimensionally to decorate a clear glass container or vase, or they may choose to work on a glass sheet or plate. Three-dimensional design, glass-cutting techniques, and color composition are covered. As a finishing technique, decoupage—a method of transferring images on to your project using gold and silver metallic foil to illuminate background surfaces—is demonstrated and may be incorporated.
Some shared supplies are provided. No prior mosaic experience is needed and all skill levels are welcome.
Download the supply list for this class
Instructor Alfredo Ratinoff is a mosaic artist whose pieces are in many public and private art collections around the world.
6 sessions, 2 1/2 hours each
