All workshops and classes are held at our Vienna, Virginia studio unless otherwise noted. In the Workshop and Student Photos section you can view many project samples. Click here to learn how to register.
Introduction to Mosaics in Glass (Beginners)
Color Theory for Mosaics
Precision Cutting & Laying: Understanding Andamento
How to Cut Anything For Mosaics & Mosaic Techniques Overview
Introduction to Sandcasting
Comprehensive Exterior Mosaics Course (Weekend Workshop)
Clay Day (New Offering)
Natural Directions - Direct Setting with Mixed Materials (New Offering)
Mosaic Pendant and Belt Buckle
Holiday Gift Workshop for Families
Children's Make a Gift Workshop
Adult Mixed Level Open Studio
Visiting Artists:
Breakout! And Find Your Own Voice with Brit Hammer
Make Your Dreams Concrete! With Sherri Warner Hunter
Introduction to Mexican Smalti with Kim Wozniak
The Mosaic Flower with Yulia Hanansen
-- Deposit Options
Private or Small Group Instruction
Introduction to Mosaics in Glass (beginners)
A perfect “first class”! Students will be introduced to types of glass applicable to mosaic and will learn to use mosaic tools to cut and shape glass into tesserae (the basic unit mosaic). This comprehensive class offers a strong foundation for interior mosaics. Instructor will cover design, terminology, substrates, adhesives, finishing and more. Each student will be guided through the design process to create a 10” x 10” framed wall mirror for interior display.
| Class A: | Saturday, October 23, 10am- 4pm & Sunday, October 24, 1 pm-3pm |
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| Class B: | Wednesdays, November 3, 10 & 17, 7pm – 9:30 (last class ends at 9 pm |
Tuition: $140 • Supplies Included • Instructor: McKee
Color Theory for Mosaics
Prerequisite: Introduction to Mosaics or permission of instructor
The most successful mosaics have good design and a balance of color. This class covers design basics beginning with the visual elements of a composition: line, shape and texture. Exploring the principles of color theory and how hue, tone, value and contrast apply to mosaics is also examined.
Through a series of exercises students will learn to integrate these principles into their work and will create their own color wheel incorporating a “must have” piece of tessare for their next project. OUR MOST POPULAR INTERMEDIATE WORKSHOP!
| Class A: | Saturday, September 11, 10am - 4pm |
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| Class B: | Sunday, November 14, 10am - 4pm |
Tuition: $150 • Supplies Included • Instructor: McKee
Precision Cutting & Laying: Understanding Andamento
We translate old-school classical techniques to fit our contemporary artistic needs! Andamento is the visual flow created by the strategic placement of tesserae in mosaics. Find confidence and dramatically improve your work as you master precision cutting and laying while learning to control the movement and flow of your tesserae. Using vitreous glass tile students will master a variety of lay techniques and precision cutting tricks. Through a series of exercises students will create a beautiful classical mosaic wall hanging with a modern edge. The finished piece will be ideal as a personal home décor piece or as a very special gift. This class is for anyone interested in taking their work to the next level! Lecture and hands on work will be on Wednesdays. Grouting will not take place in this class. Students will receive a grout demo and a take home grout kit. The class fee includes an optional open studio session with the instructor that may be used to grout the artwork produced in the class.
Saturday, September 25, 10am – 4pm and Sunday, September 26, 1pm – 3pm
Tuition: $140 • Supply Fee $20 • Instructor: McKee
How to Cut Anything For Mosaic & Mosaic Techniques Overview
This hands on workshop reviews a variety of mosaic materials and how to prepare materials for tesserae. We will cover everything from stained glass to high-fired ceramic to vitreous glass to dishes. Training will include use of hand tools, electric wet saw, hammer & hardie, glass grinder and more. We will illustrate precision cutting. Demonstrating the three most common mosaic techniques - direct, in-direct (working on fiberglass mesh) and double direct (face tape) participants will gain a strong working knowledge enabling them to expand beyond the simple direct method of mosaic application. Additionally we will cover suitable substrate and adhesive combinations for interior and exterior mosaic works factoring in the application method utilized. Students will be introduced to the tools needed for cutting substrates as well as proper preparation and safety concerns.
Saturday, September 12, 10am – 4 pm SOLD OUT
Saturday, January 8, 10am – 4 pm
Tuition: $100 Supplies Included • Instructor: Fitzgerald
Introduction to Sandcasting
Weekend Workshop
Sand casting is a versatile and economical method to produce a variety of garden art. In this workshop participants will create whimsical concrete garden art using a sand cast mask technique. Everyone will make an oversized mushroom shape and adorn the top by embedding shells, pebbles and/or baubles. As a second project everyone will design a basin and choose to embed leaves or other objects into the piece or to create in a manner suitable for mosaic. The basins make perfect bird baths.
Saturday, October 2, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, October 3, 10am– 2pm
12 hours of instruction • Tuition: $225 • Supply Fee: $40 • Instructors: Fitzgerald & Taylor
Comprehensive Exterior Mosaics Course
Weekend Workshop
This class is truly comprehensive! It covers everything you need to know about creating professional permanent mosaics to withstand moisture and freeze-thaw cycles. Class lecture will include important information about selecting substrates, fixatives, tiles, and other tesserae that will endure weather year round. Students will learn how to mix stronger, more flexible grout and thin-set and how to avoid improper products that can lead to weak, crumbling outdoor mosaics. Students will also receive hands-on training with specialized tile nippers and a professional electric tile saw. The instructor will guide the class through the process of designing mosaic tabletops, planters, and stepping stones.
Each student will take home one completed project of choice from the list below:
| A: | 12"x12" tiled outdoor table top | Supply fee: $50 (sources for buying bases given in class) |
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| B: | 12"x12" stained glass stepping stone | Supply fee: $25 |
| C: | 12"x12" tiled stepping stone | Supply fee: $40 |
| D: | 9" tall stained glass planter | Supply fee: $25 |
| E: | 9" tall tiled glass planter | Supply fee: $25 |
We know it is a tough choice, but the beauty of this class is that you will gain the knowledge to create all of the projects!
Previous mosaic experience helpful but not required.
November 6, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, November 7, 1pm – 3pm
9 hours of instruction • Tuition: $165 • Supply Fee: per above • Instructor: McKee
Clay Day (New Offering)
Want to make your own tesserae? Plan on taking the direct setting workshop? Spend the day working with clay to create a collection of your own signature tesserae for your mosaics. We will use terracotta and white china clay, experiment with colored clays, incorporate stamps, molds and bisque fire your pieces for you.
Saturday, November 13, noon - 4pm
Tuition: $65 • Supply and Firing Fee $25 • Instructor: Fitzgerald
Natural Directions - Direct Setting with Mixed Materials (New Offering)
Weekend Workshop
Using collections of natural materials (shells, pebbles, stone), ceramics, broken china, stained glass and more students are guided through the creative and technical process to direct set tessare into a setting bed. By building up the setting bed multiple layers of tessare can be used to create complex visual textures. This is a wonderfully spontaneous and freeing approach to mosaic creation. Works are not grouted. Students will be sent a materials list in advance. *Included in supply fee is substrate, adhesive and a variety of scrap materials.
Saturday, November 20, 10am – 5pm & Sunday, November 21, 10pm – 2pm
Tuition: $195 • Supply Fee: $25 • Instructor: Fitzgerald
Mosaic Pendant and Belt Buckle
Half Day Workshop (any level)
Everyone will be supplied to create a pendant and belt buckle. Students can choose from a variety of materials including vitreous glass, stained glass and ceramic. If time permits students may work on additional pieces and a selection of pendant shapes and buckles will be available for purchase. The substrates are silver encased. Workshop will include grouting and finishing demonstration. Please bring your favorite tweezers! Sample projects on website.
| Class A: | Saturday, November 27, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
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| Class B: | Saturday, December 18, 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm |
Tuition: $55 • Supply Fee: $30 • Instructor: Fitzgerald
Holiday Gift Workshop for Families
A great way to spend quality time with a loved one while using your creativity to make gifts from the heart. We will provide an item for you to mosaic or you are welcome to bring your own small object to mosaic. This class is designed for an adult and child to work as a team. Participants learn about preparing materials, adhesives and finishing and each participant will make at least one completed gift item. Projects include ornaments, jeweled boxes, small mirror surrounds and trivets. Materials and use of tools are included.
| Class A: | Saturday, November 27, 12pm – 2pm |
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| Class B: | Saturday, December 18, 10am – 12pm |
Tuition: $55 first two “family members”, $20 each additional person • Instructor: Fitzgerald
Children's Make a Gift Workshop
Drop the kids off and they give them the thrill of making their own holiday gifts. We will have several projects for the children to choose from including small mosaics, sculptures, jewelry and ornaments. Suggested ages 8-14. Materials and use of tools are included.
| Class A: | Saturday, December 11, 12pm – 2pm |
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| Class B: | Monday, December 13, 2pm – 4pm |
Tuition: $30 • Supplies • Instructor: Fitzgerald
Adult Mixed Level Open Studio
This is in an on-going opportunity with multi-level students and projects in various stages of completion. Newcomers are welcome. Staff is available for mentoring and guidance during studio time, but in depth instruction or lecture is not provided. We require reservations with a 24-hour cancellation policy (if you are signed up and are a no show you are charged for the time). You do not need to come every single week. All new students must make a four-week minimum commitment, paid in advance. Supplies additional on a case-by-case basis.
Tuesday Evenings, 6:00pm – 9:30pm
Wednesday Afternoons, 12:30pm – 4:00pm
Tuition: $25 per day • Supply Fee: Case-by-Case • Call the studio for reservations 703-938-1755
Saturday, October 9, noon - 4pm
Satutday, October 30, noon -4 pm
Friday, November 26, noon - 4pm
Sunday, December 12, noon - 4pm
Breakout! And Find Your Own Voice with Brit Hammer
Join visiting artist Brit Hammer for an unforgettable weekend experience! This workshop is designed for all Visual Artists. Brit is well known in the international mosaic community for her bold, abstract fine art mosaics. In addition to her role as artist and teacher, Brit is an independent motivational speaker driven by a passion to inspire everyone to connect with the artist within.
On the first day you’ll be guided towards finding your own voice through personalized coaching and a series of individual and group exercises. The day will end with you understanding what your art is saying and how to express what you really mean. Day two you’ll be guided to break out of old patterns to discover new ways of expressing yourself in your art. You'll also learn how to present and market your art in ways that suit who you are. And at the end of the workshop you’ll be able to write a sound artist statement, explaining the essence of your work and how it reflects who you are–without feeling like you just made it up!
Weekend Workshop: Saturday, September 18 & Sunday, September 19, 10am – 5pm both days
Tuition: $350
“Seeing the Light,” Slide Presentation and Book Signing
During Brit's USA tour Maverick Mosaics will host two opportunities for you to enjoy her anecdotes and stories that lead to her books Breakout: Your Pathway to Success and Mosaic: Finding Your Voice.
Friday, September 17 and Friday, September 24, 7 p.m.
Portfolio Review
Brit will be accepting appointments for private portfolio review. Reservations made by contacting us. Private portfolio review $100 per hour, 1/2 hour minimum, by appointment only.
Artist George Fishman's reaction to recent video portfolio critique by Brit, seen on Facebook: Both sensitive to the nuances of style/imagery/technique AND bold in your interpretation of psychological and spiritual processes at work in the artist's life.
Make Your Dreams Concrete! With Sherri Warner Hunter
This intensive course will cover a variety of concrete forming techniques including armature building, carving, modeling, and polymer fortified concrete systems Carved polystyrene, specialty meshes and fortified concrete are combined to create the bases for Sherri Warner Hunter’s internationally recognized mosaic sculptures. Learn about this process as you create your own form using reductive (carving) and additive (modeling) sculptural techniques.
Sherri Warner Hunter’s award winning artwork work is exhibited across the country. Since moving to Bell Buckle, TN in 1994, Hunter has concentrated on large-scale public commissions and community built projects. Hunter is the author of “Making Concrete Garden Ornaments” and “Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden.” The books were developed from expertise honed through decades of teaching.
Four day intensive: Wednesday, October 13 through Saturday, October 16, 10am – 5pm daily
Tuition: $625 • $80 separate Supply Fee • no mosaic experience required
Introduction to Mexican Smalti with Kim Wozniak
This exciting course will introduce students to the beauty, history and versatility of this unique hand made material. Students will learn the differences and similarities between Mexican and Italian cut smalti. Class will cover basic design, layout and visual understanding while creating their own smalti work of art using both ancient and contemporary cutting techniques. Each student will learn how to work with the hammer and hardie, as well as gain an understanding of how to use modern cutting tools. This is a fulfilling learning experience for artists in all mediums and of all levels.
2-Day Workshop: Monday, October 18 & Tuesday, October 19, 2pm – 8pm both days
To help accommodate student schedules this workshop begins mid-day and goes in to the early evening, we will take a short dinner break.
Tuition: $300 • $40 separate Supply Fee
The Mosaic Flower with Yulia Hanansen
Georgia O’Keefe did it in her paintings, you will do it in mosaics. Learn how to translate flowers in your photos or drawings into realistic and powerful mosaic statements. In this 2-day workshop we will explore flower structure, close-ups, depth of field, choosing a color palette, effectively portraying flower details, composition, layout, and technical aspects of working with stained glass tiles. We will be using a boat-shaped “brushstroke” tesserae that you will learn how to cut during the workshop. Images will be provided or bring your own upon approval of the instructor. All skill levels are welcome. Yulia is a second-generation mosaic artist and is owner of Mosaic Sphere Studio, LLC. Yulia is an internationally known artist and is widely exhibited and collected.
Weekend Workshop: Saturday, December 4 & Sunday, December 5, 10am – 5pm both days
Tuition: $300 • $40 separate Supply Fee
As a convenience we are accepting a $50 deposit to hold your spot for Yulia Hanansen, Shug Jones, Brit Hammer and Sherri Warner Hunter workshops with balance due 14 days prior to the workshop start date. If for some reason you can not attend the workshop your deposit will be refunded IF WE CAN SELL YOUR SPOT, no refunds less than 7 days in advance. If you choose this option please contact us to confirm we hold the correct workshop for you.
Private or Small Group Instruction
To discuss individual or private group instruction, send us a note through our contact us page.
Please review our Studio Guidelines & Policies. To register for a course please read our instructions about How to Register for workshops and download our Registration Form. You are welcome to call the studio for more details, 703-938-1755.
Maverick Mosaics, 145 Church Street NW, Suite 200, Vienna, VA 22180 - Telephone: 703-938-1755