Best Mosaic Classes in Los Angeles
Mosaics have been found among cultures and architectural structures dating back to the third millennium BCE. Mesopotamians decorated with long terracotta cones embedded in the wall surfaces. Later ancient Greeks introduced cut glass into the practice. The Byzantines brought mosaics as the leading pictorial art form in their culture from the 4th Century to the 14th Century.
Mosaics is the pattern or images created from small pieces of stone, ceramic or glass of regular or irregular shapes held in place by an adhesive. You will find mosaics commonly applied to structures, although it has become a common art form covering various surfaces in modern times. Most mosaics render an image of a whole figure or pattern. Mosaic artists utilize a special technique called tesserae which places cut pieces of material to fit closely into a grid of cubes that make up a surface.
Why You Should Learn Mosaic in Los Angeles
Today many hobbyists and artists use century-old techniques to create beautiful mosaic pieces in homes and studios. Making mosaics at home allows you to create unique designs from various materials, including anything from inherited China to crushed-up stone. Learning to create mosaics can brighten up any living space. You can take standard, common items in your home and give them your unique spin with the help of mosaics. Mosaics is a simple and easy-to-learn art form that even beginners can enjoy the pieces they create.
While in modern times, mosaics are used as a common art form, mosaics have commonly been found among various religious groups and their practice. If you stem from a religious background, you may not even realize how mosaics are used in religious practices. Most commonly, mosaics are found in Jewish practices but can be found in other religions as well. Creating mosaics for particular pieces can bring you closer to your religious community or practice.
Mosaics can even be the start of your artistic business venture. With various ways to create mosaics, you can make a sustainable practice by selling 2D renderings of mosaic designs or your unique pieces. Depending on your work's detail, size, and quality, you can sell your pieces from $50 to several thousand dollars. Hundreds of mosaic shops across the United States sell their work at varying prices. Etsy features over 120,000 listings for mosaic art.
Using unique materials can help you produce art meaningful to you while bringing you closer to a tight-knit community of artists. A Mosaic Guild or artist community exists in almost every major city across the country. You can check out the Society of American Mosaic Artists for a group near you.
In-Person Mosaic Classes in Los Angeles
Mosaic courses in LA are the fastest way to learn how to make them. You can ask questions to your instructor throughout the process. Learning with fellow peers can make the process easier and more enjoyable.
A major advantage of in-person courses is that you don't have to worry about materials, workspace, or cleanup. Many studios and workshops offer their students the necessary equipment to set them up for success. Some courses may require a material fee on the first day of class.
Students wanting to learn mosaics in Los Angeles have several options. California residents can attend Santa Monica College with the Introduction to Mosaic Artclass. At Santa Monica College, they aim to give the community a wealth of resources to help them grow and better themselves. In this introductory course, students will create flower pot mosaics with their choice of material. While working through their design, students will learn about the history of mosaics. Students will master proper cutting techniques. While the course provides the materials to students, they charge an additional material fee to first-time students on the first day of class.
On the other side of Los Angeles, students can go To Allen Kenoyer Stained Glass. This spot is primarily a full-service shop and retail store. They offer various workshops, including their Mosaics Madness: Glass on Glass class. This class is available to anyone 14 and older, so this could be a fun family outing. In this course, students learn to create glass-on-glass mosaics. Students can bring other materials if they want to include them in their design scrap glass is provided. Students must bring a picture frame with drop-in glass. Course objectives include introducing students to basic techniques of mosaic art.
If these two courses don't work, you can also try attending Los Angeles City College with their Mosaic Tile class. In this course, students will work on creating simple mosaic designs using various tiles. This will allow them to learn basic techniques from cutting to grouting.
Each location offers several courses for students to choose from. Students will be able to find the course that works best for them.
Virtual Mosaic Classes
There aren't many mosaic classes available in every area, but you can opt for live virtual mosaic classes if you want to learn in class. Even though you're learning from home, you can still interact with the instructor and peers.
You may need to procure supplies if you enroll in an online class. The instructor will provide a detailed supply list, which you must purchase at a local store or online. Be sure to plan, as supplies may take a while to arrive. You can explore some of CourseHorse's mosaic classes online.
Chicago Botanical Gardens offers several virtual mosaic classes. Students can take the A Starry Night in Glass Mosaics virtual course as students will be using the classic Van Gogh painting as reference material materials will be shipped to the students. Students will learn basic techniques as they work through this mosaic.
GHD Mosaic in New York offers virtual courses as well. Students can take the Online Mosaic Trivet Making course. Students will follow along as the instructor creates a trivet or serving dish. The instructor will help each student individually. The students will practice basic techniques. Materials will be shipped to the students.
Private Group Mosaic Classes in Los Angeles
With private online group classes, you can bring mosaics to any group or event. No matter the type of event, whether it be a team-building event, birthday party, or bridal shower, you can have a class geared for your party. CourseHorse offers live online mosaic and crafts classes for private groups.
Explore the art of colorful mosaics and the virtual Mosaic Tray Workshop. The instructor will demonstrate basic mosaic techniques, including cutting and gluing. You will also learn how to arrange mosaics and grout the peace.
The materials will be shipped directly to you. You will receive a wood serving tray, mosaic tiles, grout, glue, and paint.
The minimum group size for this 90-minute course is ten participants, with the option of adding a game, using specific questions, or doing a themed game for a $150 fee.
CourseHorse makes booking a private course easy. It isn't an issue if you don't know your exact group size at the time. Book based on your best guess, and you can add or subtract people up to a week before the event. There are no booking fees; you'll receive confirmation within 24 hours.
Usually, CourseHorse recommends using Zoom for your classes, but they can also accommodate Google Meets, Microsoft Teams, and WebEx. They can also accommodate courses held at your office or home if that suits your group's needs better.