Creative Collaboration - Society of American Mosaic Artists
Transcription
Creative Collaboration - Society of American Mosaic Artists
Report from the Annual Board Retreat • Page 16 Summer 2010 • Volume 11 • Number 3 Creative Collaboration Lin Schorr's Global Project Extreme Makeover MOSAICO Hits the Airwaves Nipper Know-How Get a Handle on It New Teaching Series Working with Elementary Kids From the President SAMA Board and Officers Secretary Yvonne Allen Treasurer Jim Penak Board of Trustees Karen Ami Dianne Crosby Susannah Dryden Sharon Plummer Hillary Sloate Photo: Julie Dilling Vice President Gwyn Kaitis Advisory Board Monica Agnew Julie Dilling Kim Emerson Brian Felix Staff Executive Director Dawnmarie Zimmerman Operations Manager Chris Forillo Membership Director Yvonne Allen Volunteer Coordinator Monica Agnew Webmaster Bill Buckingham Groutline STAFF2B Custom Publishing Editorial Director Barbara Coots Design Director Associate Editor Managing Editor Copy Editor Barbara Dybala Theresa Brander Karola Brookshire Jennifer Blakebrough-Raeburn Advertising Sales Brian Felix 951-204-7887 [email protected] This issue's contributors: : Nancie Mills Pipgras Groutline is published quarterly to promote mosaic art in the U.S. and abroad. ©2010 Society of American Mosaic Artists. Reproduction or distribution prohibited without permission. Address: P.O. Box 624, Ligonier, PA 15658-0624 Editorial queries may be sent to [email protected] Articles and opinions expressed in Groutline represent the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of SAMA, its board of trustees, or the membership as a whole. Advertisements are purchased and do not imply endorsement by SAMA, its board of trustees, or its members. COVER: Swirlendipity I (2009), installed at COVER: A portion Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan. Mixed media; 3 x 5-foot unframed. Story on page 10. Photo by Lin Schorr 2 Society of American Mosaic Artists 2 Society of American Mosaic Artists accomplish anything we wanted. I’ve found this affirmation to hold true throughout my life. As I step forward to take the reins of SAMA, I’m meeting the challenge with eagerness. The task is somewhat daunting, but the full support of the SAMA Board of Trustees and advisors, our executive director, Dawnmarie Zimmerman, and our operations manager, Chris Forillo, gives me the confidence to steer SAMA into its second decade. As I write this letter, I still feel the excitement of the successful 2010 American Mosaic Summit in Chicago and the subsequent Strategic Planning Retreat in Austin, Texas. Please take a moment to read the retreat report later in this issue of Groutline, because it contains important information for SAMA members. Going forward, I pledge to do everything I can to raise awareness about SAMA and its relevance to the art community. I will work to create, solidify, and deepen our relationships not only with other mosaic groups but also with traditional fine art organizations. I promise to represent SAMA in a professional, thoughtful, and friendly manner. Now I want to ask you something. Think about what you have to offer your organiza- tion. Do you have special skills that would be valuable in fundraising, such as writing requests for grants? Are you knowledgeable about marketing, or do you enjoy computer work? Do you have time to contact potential advertisers and sponsors? No matter how much time you can give, whether it’s three hours a week or three hours a year, whether you can do only one small thing or devote time to an ongoing project, SAMA appreciates your involvement. The more you give, whether in time or money, the more SAMA is able to give back to you in programs, workshops, exhibitions, and publications. In our current economy, it’s up to all of us to do what we can to keep SAMA a vibrant, exciting, relevant, and educational organization. Dig deep into your heart, and then contact Monica Agnew, our volunteer coordinator, and ask where you can be of help. Let’s all work together to propel SAMA forward into our second decade. Summer 2010 President's Column Tip of the Quarter Annual Board Retreat SAMA Committee Corner An Honor for Irina Charny Volunteer Spotlight 2 8 16 17 17 18 Shug Jones In addition to being president of SAMA, Shug Jones is the president and founder of Tesserae Mosaic Studio, Inc., in Plano, Texas, where she creates fine mosaic art and installations. www.tesseraemosaicstudio.com Features Lin Schorr’s Collaborative Murals 10-11 A Survey of Regional Groups 12-13 Mosaic on ABC-TV’s Extreme Makeover 14-15 Departments Inspiration: Michael Sweere Regional: Philadelphia's Tell-Tale Tiles & Fractured Fantasies Artist Profile: Shug Jones Step By Step: Getting a Handle on Your Nippers Teaching Series: Elementary Students 10th Anniversary Series: JeanAnn Dabb 3 4 5 6-7 8 9 Patron Members Karen Ami Timothy Falb Gina Hubler Jacqueline Iskander Jane O’Donnell Drucilla M. Perez-Tubens Michael Welch Kim Wozniak Donna Young The Chicago Mosaic School di Mosaico Design Impact/ Miami Mosaic Academy Jacqueline Iskander Mosaics Jane O’Donnell Drucilla M. Perez-Tubens Mosaic Rocks! Smalti.com Mosaic Art Source Inspiration: Michael Sweere by Ed Kinsella T he work of Minneapolis-based artist Michael Sweere graces the walls of the many corporations and institutions that have commissioned his work. Most of his mosaics depict lush, bountiful landscapes. Mike’s mosaic work is an evolutionary fusion of two passions: a lifelong interest in painting and drawing landscapes from direct observation, and his two-decade career as an art director for an advertising agency. His landscapes often become the cartoons or blueprints for his mosaic projects, and the commercial techniques and processes Sweere mastered over twenty years in advertising often morph into new mosaic approaches. Mike’s rigorous work ethic comes from his previous Photo: Dave Fick When I was young, my mother told my siblings and me that we could President Shug Jones Two Haunted (2010). Glass, stone, and ceramic tile with bone and cultured pearls; 36 in. square. career, where he learned the importance of project planning, meeting aggressive commercial project schedules, down. For the rest of his work, Mike uses glass, ceramic, stones, and and running a successful, sustainable business. Extensive travel found objects. exposed him to several styles of public mosaic art: the monumental Central to Michael Sweere’s work is the accurate portrayal of light mosaics that decorate the subway stations of New York City, the qualities characteristic of, and unique to, a given place. Consider mosaics of Mexico made from commonly discarded everyday the color-enhancing diffused light of the Pacific Northwest, or the materials, and the mosaics of the American Southwest that depict bleaching intensity of the southwestern desert sun, which fades color local landscapes and surroundings. while creating sharply delineated shadows. The fluidity of light and While eating breakfast with his son one day, Mike was inspired the way it interacts with the natural world endlessly fascinates him. to create a paper mosaic from the cut-up pieces of a cereal box, Depending upon the season, the time of day, or the weather, the same the type of packaging he designed at work. This pivotal moment subject can look quite different. showed him the endless possibilities of the mosaic medium. In a Michael’s influences include the American Impressionists, whose poetic way, his past designs found their way into his early mosaics, paintings capture light so skillfully, and various contemporary artists. which were paper collages created by recycling the packaging he Andy Warhol followed a career path similar to Mike’s, beginning in had accumulated throughout his career. the advertising world before transitioning into the fine art world. Mike notes, “Maybe it’s a little ironic that most of my paper Like Mike’s, Warhol’s work shows the vestiges of his commercial art mosaics depict trees—the natural resource from which paper experience. Andy Goldsworthy inspires Mike to use natural material packaging comes. Once a tree, still a tree.” typically overlooked as art media, and to work in a larger scale. The After thorough planning, Mike bid farewell to the corporate world to follow his new passion and focus full time on a large mosaic commission. More commissions came his way, and he has now created mosaics nonstop for the past six years. Roughly half of his current output is made up of cut tin creations, which feature objects such as fruitcake tins, coffee cans, and TV trays. He flattens them, rearranges them according to his cartoon, and nails them Rev. Howard Finster’s oeuvre inspires Mike to be a handyman-artist, to experiment, and to be resourceful in solving artistic challenges. SAMA was pleased to have Michael Sweere as a volunteer panelist for the 2009 Robin Brett Mosaic Scholarship competition. Visit his website for additional information and galleries of his work. www.michaelsweeremosaic.com. Ed Kinsella has been creating mosaics in his spare time for almost three years. www.flickr.com/photos/kinsella5555/collections/72157622737716035 Society of American Mosaic Artists 3 Artist Profile: Shug Jones perfect piece with the exact swirl, curve, or color that I need is exciting. Step into the world of Shug Jones, SAMA’s president, who has been creating art since childhood. GL: How has your business evolved? SJ: We began with residential and hospitality installations, and our business grew quickly. In 2006, Julie Dilling joined me, and we increased the number of fine art by Susannah Dryden commissions. Most recently, I’ve discovered how much I enjoy teaching portraiture GL: When did you know you were an artist? and realism workshops, and I hope to offer SJ: In first grade we drew Thanksgiving these courses in our Dallas studio soon. turkeys. My teacher loved mine so much Photo: Shug Jones Philadelphia’s Tell-Tale Tiles & Fractured Fantasies alism and portraiture. And discovering the Friends in the Park (2009). Italian and Mexican smalti; 17 in. high x 21 in. wide. that she invited me back to her classroom Photo: Bonnie Fitzgerald An enchanting exhibition at the Magic Garden March 18–April 18, 2010 by Bonnie Fitzgerald Ali Mirsky and Isaiah Zagar with her Shalom Chaim (2009), 36 x 28 x 4 in. each year to show the kids how to draw a turkey. This was the first time that someone acknowledged me as an artist. GL: Who influenced you? SJ: My late uncle, David Clark, was a wonderful oil painter. When I was 11, he took me to weekly oil painting classes taught by interesting contrast to the more traditional square, flat tiles that relied town. I loved the classes, and from that evening, the smell of spring in the air, and an absolutely on varied decorative methods such as slip decoration and photo- point I never considered becoming any- perfect night to experience Tell-Tale Tiles & Fractured Fantasies. silkscreen. Mosaics made up a small portion of the exhibition, and all thing other than an artist. Presented by Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens and the Tile Heritage were created using ceramic or traditional tile making in some way. Foundation, it was held in conjunction with the 44th Annual Newton’s Best Friends is an expressive work created in unglazed National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). The porcelain. As an ice skater, Newton is drawn to historical, illustrated opening celebration was indeed an enchanting experience. Inspired prints of this wintertime sport, and her interpretation is full of joy by the rich history of tile and mosaic art in the Philadelphia area— and movement. Mirsky's Shalom Chaim is an explosion of energy. most notably the work of famed arts and crafts tile designer Henry A “tree of life” theme emerges from a plethora of shells, hand-built Chapman Mercer—the exhibition explored contemporary tile making ceramics, and found objects collected over many years. Most of the and ceramic mosaic as a storytelling medium. materials for Shelkin’s Becoming came from her stash of broken GL: What was your path to mosaic art? SJ: A friend and I turned to mosaic art in 2001 when we heard about a local call-to-artists for a mosaic wall mural. We started a mosaic art studio, teaching ourselves how to mosaic after extensive research and experimentation. Photo: Casey Podlucky T a European artist each summer in our little he weather was unusual for Philadelphia in March: a warm We actually won the commission, and I've The call for entries requested narrative tiles that included social, pottery, including two tiles she received from Virginia Sumner in been doing mosaics ever since. GL: Tell us a bit about Julie Dilling, your very few people in my life whom I didn’t like political, personal, and family stories. Renowned ceramicist and art the Tessera Exchange at SAMA’s Mosaic Summit in 2009. Shelkin’s GL: Who/what inspires you? business partner. and couldn’t learn something from as well. historian Susan Tunick selected the works for the exhibition. Tunick unconditional love for her daughter inspired the work. SJ: The people and the world around us SJ: Julie is a fantastic business partner and GL: Any advice for other mosaicists? inspire me. I’m happiest creating portraits so much fun. We have a lot in common; and realistic figurative work—pieces that we’re both native Texans, easygoing, and show people in common settings doing ev- we know that we can depend on each other eryday things that go unnoticed by most. for anything. GL: What are your favorite materials? GL: What makes you a good teacher? know the basics of art. Learn to draw, and SJ: I love Mexican smalti—the size, shape, SJ: I teach people the way I would want to learn about value, form, and color theory. mottled surface, and color variation. The be taught, by teaching the details, not just infinite variety and ability to shape very how to do something, but also why. I love small pieces make art glass a favorite for re- interacting with my students, and I’ve met is a national spokesperson for the preservation of architectural terra Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens was formed as a museum to embrace cotta and the president of Friends of Terra Cotta. SAMA members and preserve Isaiah Zagar’s legacy of community beautification were well represented in the exhibition. Shawn Newton’s Best Friends through his relentless mosaic work. The fascinating environment of mosaic was honored with third place in the competition. Ali Mirsky, the Magic Garden was the perfect venue for Tell-Tale Tiles & Fractured Carol Shelkin, Bette Ann Libby, and Donna Billick were among other Fantasies. I salute the exhibition organizers for an inspired show. SAMA members chosen to exhibit their work. Visit www.philadelphiasmagicgardens.org for more information The ceramic elements presented a wide range of clay bodies, about the Magic Garden. firing techniques, and glazes. Featured were large tiles with only minimal amounts of relief, and shaped tiles that were often used to create mosaic tesserae. Sculptural, three-dimensional work made an 4 Society of American Mosaic Artists Bonnie Fitzgerald is a mosaic artist and the owner of Maverick Mosaics, an educational facility located in metropolitan Washington, DC. She is a former SAMA trustee. www.maverickmosaics.com. SJ: Only this: Mosaic is art and, as such, you have to do what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy. And if you choose to work realistically, you need to You’ll never regret it. Susannah Dryden, a longtime mosaic enthusiast, is a member of SAMA’s Board of Trustees. Society of American Mosaic Artists 5 Step By Step: Getting a Handle on Your Nippers How to Use Your Nippers by Laurel Skye, The Tool Whisperer N Method 1 ippers! We all have them. Our glass and tile cutters are like and the price, in the neighborhood of $100, can drain your wallet. great knives to a chef, or trusty hammers to a carpenter. But if you are as obsessed as I am with mosaics and spend a lot of They are the “must-have tool” of the mosaicist. Ask mosaic time cutting, do your joints a favor and check these out. tilers and they will tell you they have a favorite pair that they love. Let’s explore some of the standard and not-so-standard nippers. For those of you who do work with the Silberschnitts (also known There are side-biters, professional, precision, spring-loaded, and the wheels. When I am working with nano tiles, which are 2mm and 3mm in size, there aren’t many cutters that do the job well. I with its carbide jaws and the weight of a sledgehammer. Then had to resort to end-cutting pliers from a hardware store. Even the there’s your household staple, the Leponitt, as well as wheel-cutters Silberschnitts weren’t getting the job done. But I have since adjusted and side-biters featuring various brand names (and “no names”) them slightly and they are perfect! See A-B-C below. and made in places from Italy to Taiwan (if you don’t already have And now the new “nitts” on the block: ta da! the Silberschnitt®. Using a 3/4-inch piece of glass (preferably stained glass), draw a line down the center with a marker. as zag zags and Bohles), I would like to show you how to adjust manual. You have your “etts” and your “itts.” There's the Starrett®, arthritis, some of these will surely give it to you). The 3P Principle: Point, Pinch, and Pop! 1 Point: If you are righthanded, use your left hand and point your index finger across the room. On the next page, I cover two rather different holding methods I use when working with wheeled nippers to get good control of my glass and create less waste, and how to avoid getting curves The replacement wheels alone cost more than most nippers. But let when you want a straight cut. I cannot say I “own” these methods, me tell you, they are the bomb, and ergonomically correct. Invented although no one taught them to me. I devised them myself and by German locksmith Josef Bohle, the Bohle cutting tools have been labeled them years ago for easy reference. One is the “3 P Principle,” a trusted name since 1923. Because of the machining necessary to and the other is the “Tunnel Hold.” create these precision tools, they have not flooded the mosaic market, 2 Adjustments Getting your Silberschnitt wheels closer together A Disassemble Remove the nut with a #13mm socket wrench. Loosen the screw from behind. Remove the spring. B File Slightly With a small metal rasp (file), slightly grind down the metal between the handles, being careful not to remove too much. C Reassemble Ja, dat’s itt, you’re ready to go. B A C 3 Photos: Laurel Skye 6 Society of American Mosaic Artists 2 Pinch: While still pointing, pinch your thumb and middle finger together, aiming those toward the floor. Now, slide your glass in between your pinched fingers. Do not open your fingers; keep them pinched. Just slip in the piece of glass. Your thumb should stay in alignment with the drawn line, as in the photo. 4 Tunnel Hold for Rectangles 1 1 Fingers Above and Thumb Below: Draw a line down the center of your glass. Place your fingers as shown, creating a kind of “tunnel,” with your glass at the far end. 2 *Note: with triangles, I add a fourth P: Pray. The Pray part is taking a moment to line up your cut and your intention, then Pop! Laurel Skye lives in northern California and teaches at her studio, Skyelab, as well as throughout the United States and internationally. She is the author of Mosaic Renaissance: Reviving Classic Tile Art with Millefiori. web.me.com/laurelskye Ever try to get thin, straight rectangles out of a 3/4-inch square, but they keep coming out curved? It’s often because you are using your wheel cutters to cut from the edge. Each subsequent cut continues to make another curved “fingernail” clipping. Try this holding method: 3 Pop! With your first pointer finger, secure the opposite edge of the glass, as pictured. Place your wheel directly over the marked line, hold the glass securely, and pop! 4 Voila! Still holding, but now split in two, notice how much control you have with this method. It’s great for triangles as well.* Just run your line diagonally and hold in the same way. I can cut 16 triangles with this method, out of one 3/4-inch square. How Not to Use Your Nippers 1) For a desperate last-minute haircut just before the big family Christmas dinner 2) On most ceramic material, because over time it will dull your blades 3) For cutting large pieces of glass (more than 1 inch); cuts will be rebellious 4) For clipping the cat’s toenails; not an option Method 2 1 3 2 Pop! Align your nippers right over the center of the line and pop, but don’t let go. 3 Drop and Pop: Now simply drop the rectangle on the left, hold the remaining rectangle securely between the first finger and the thumb, and make a firm, quick snap right down the middle. With a little practice, this method should yield four nice, straight rectangles. Society of American Mosaic Artists 7 10th Anniversary Series Teaching Series Living history, multiple perspectives Photo: Lisa Boyce Lindner Working with Young Children JeanAnn Dabb by Liza Boyce Lindner M eeting JeanAnn is pure pleasure. Her friendly eyes emanate a deep sparkle and a quiet concentration. Her Students at Berwyn Heights Elementary School in Maryland created The Bay Mural. enthusiasm for mosaic is boundless and contagious, and she speaks about her art with soft precision. She possesses a deep knowledge of mosaics from the perspectives of historian, teacher, ublic school children ages 4 to 12 are a joyful, challenging population to create mosaics with. Immersed in art from her college days, JeanAnn became an art Here are some strategies you may want to consider in your work with young children. historian. Part of her doctoral work at the University of Michigan Preparing for kids: Working with kids: • Line substrate edges with masking tape and mark with X’s. Consider • Work in groups of 10 children or fewer, regardless of age. The where the installation hardware will go and mask that area off, too. amount of time each group spends with you depends on how large These X’s indicate that no tiles will be laid there; you will tile these the mosaic is and how many children will be helping. Start with 20 areas later. minutes per group. • Indicate tile placement by adhering appropriate ones periodically • In general, use 4th–6th graders for outlining and detail work, and along outlines. Indicate how the outlined areas will be filled by gluing pre-K–3rd graders for larger areas. down sample tiles. • Show students what areas they can work on. Demonstrate how to • Put out only those tiles that a particular group of kids will use. Too choose a tile, how to put glue on the tile, and how to lay the tile. many tiles are distracting. • Do not let pre-K or kindergartners use pastry bags. Let them choose • Some students will not want to glue. Set up an area where kids can a tile that you adhere the glue to. Then they can find the perfect place wash, sort, or cut tiles. Children who cut need eye protection; borrow for their tile and repeat the procedure. goggles from the science teacher. • Note the students who do particularly well. Call them back to help, • If using thinset for tile adhesion, prepare “pastry” bags. Four cups if necessary. make about 10 bags, enough for a day’s work. Mix thinset and latex • This work can be exhausting. Take a lunch break away from the additive as directed. Spoon three or four hefty spoonfuls into small, mosaic. heavy-duty plastic sandwich bags. Squeeze out the air and twist closed Working with young children requires organization, patience, and a with a small piece of pipe cleaner. Cut a small hole in the corner. sense of humor. Mistakes will be made; allow them to happen. You’ll • Use Weldbond® or other suitable glue in the smallest bottles available. be better prepared for your next adventure. • Rules should be stated visually and verbally. Make a sign, and have a group member read it aloud: 8 Society of American Mosaic Artists Now, after many years as a teacher at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, she has introduced a course that not only focuses on historical mosaic art but also requires hands-on experience in creating mosaics. She has organized exhibits at the school’s galleries from in-house student works to an important national juried show, called Inspired by..., which she curated in 2008. In the summer of 1998, she enrolled in a class at the International Institute in Lido Adriano, Ravenna. There she learned how to use a hammer and hardie—still her favorite mosaic tools—to make accurate copies of Roman designs. After returning home, she discovered a longing to expand her mosaic family. She contacted Janet Kozachek and, in short order, acquired a SAMA membership, a subscription to Groutline, and a place on the board of trustees that she held for seven years. She enjoys sharing her love of mosaic by speaking at conferences and staying involved as both a volunteer and sponsor. JeanAnn developed her own distinct voice, and her pieces are Imaginary Archaeology (2008) has, among other things, marble, sandstone, septarian nodules, azurite, turquoise, copper, beryllium, salt crystals, agate, garnets, fossilized palm, bones, ammonites, trilobites, arrrowheads, Roman-era glass, pottery and tesserae, iron spike from small-gauge copper mine railway, bottle caps, bus ticket, asphalt, coins, shells and a Paleolithic cutting tool that dates to 25,000 BCE; 26 x 20 inches. twist, an artistic wink, which conveys extra meaning. One such piece from 2007 is Cave Garum (“beware the fish sauce”), a Make YOUR donation to the humorous take on the famous Roman “beware the dog” sign, Cave Canem, of which there are several examples in Pompeii. Previewing Colors with Dry Grout Do you dread grouting? Are you afraid you’ll choose the wrong color and ruin the piece you’ve invested so much time and energy creating? Rest assured that you are not alone. Although some mosaicists describe grouting as the most exciting and satisfying step in the process—the act that pulls together all the mosaic elements and reveals the final artwork—others stockpile their ungrouted pieces until deadlines, space involved studying medieval art in France, and there she perused museums and sites rich in all art, including mosaics. rife with historical references and wit. She often adds a deliberate Liza Boyce Linder, M.A. in art education, lives, works, and creates mosaics in Prince George’s County, Maryland. She welcomes your emails at [email protected]. P Please, no tiles on the areas with X’s. P Please, no glue on the tops of the tiles. P Please relax, take your time, and smile. artist, and supporter and friend of students and fellow artists. Photo: JeanAnn Dabb P by Sophie Drouin Send your favorite tip to My favorite of JeanAnn’s pieces is Imaginary Archaeology, [email protected] a triptych that takes inspiration from the typical look of an limitations, or shame force them to take grout in hand. Some artists create small grouted sample pieces to ensure they’re happy with the color. This requires a fair amount of effort, but the time you spend up front could save you from a grout disaster down the road. If you don’t have the time to make a sample piece, however, you can try the dry grout preview. Select one or more dry archaeological trench. Incorporated in this particular dig are various objects from the artist’s personal past as well as from her numerous grout colors and choose a section of your mosaic to test. Pour the dry grout into the groutlines of this section to preview the look. This method will not render the same color accuracy as creating a sample piece, but you will get a fairly good idea of how the color works. When you’re finished, simply turn your piece over to remove the dry grout, and you’re ready to complete your mosaic with confidence. – Susannah Dryden rock-collecting trips. This triptych is not merely beautiful to look at; indeed, each personal relic enhances its multidimensional depth and helps create layers of significance. The result is joyous, wistful, elegant, and wonderful, a true reflection of this remarkable person. Sophie Drouin is a second-generation mosaic artist who has spent more than a dozen years actively expanding the limits of dimensions and materials. See some of her award-winning work at www.sophiemosaics.com SAMA and YOU We’d like to hear how being a member of SAMA has impacted your art and your life. Send your statement of 150 words or less (be creative!) to [email protected] and be sure to watch “The Legacy of Membership” page on the website. Legacy Campaign TODAY! Go to the SAMA website and click on the link from the home page. Society of American Mosaic Artists 9 Lin Schorr’s Collaborative Mosaic Murals Leveraging the talent of a worldwide mosaic community by Crystal Thomas Lin sent instructions for working on mesh to the participating artists and began looking for a local venue for the community project. On the suggestion of a friend, Lin contacted a manager at Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan, who was taken by the project. “By the time the final meeting rolled around, the swirl numbers had swelled to 56 pieces, so a mockup was made of two 3-by-5-foot panels, splitting the Lin. Swirlendipity I and II were born. The hospital was so pleased with the first two murals that they requested two more. Before Swirlendipity II was even delivered, Lin was hard at work organizing Amuzapalooza!, a mural consisting of interlocking puzzle pieces, and planning Heartistry, a heartthemed mural. So many artists from all over the world had heard about the first murals and wanted to participate that Lin had no shortage of contributors for the third and fourth murals. Overall, 86 artists and eight countries are represented in the four public murals on display at Providence Park Hospital. According to Lin, the community art theme and “the multiple levels of artists, from the casual weekend mosaic artist to the professional, is what made the magic happen.” But it took more than that. Lin painstakingly W hat started as a simple entry into a mosaic art contest on the Flickr photo-sharing site has turned into a potentially careerchanging endeavor for one Michigan artist. As the winner of the Mosaic Box challenge in September 2008, Lin Schorr had the honor of choosing the subject of the next challenge. She chose a simple 6-by-6-inch swirl, to make the contest accessible to as many artists as possible. When a few Flickr members discussed “how interesting it would be to put them all together when they’re finished,” said Lin, “it took me about one minute to want to take it on.” After gauging interest and getting approval from the group moderator, Lin made the announcement to the group. “There was no mulling it over, just an excited me informing my husband, the frame builder, ‘Guess what we're doing?’” assembled and mounted all the contributions according to design and color, added her own stunning mosaic art for the borders, and designed and built 4-by-6-foot custom frames for each mural. For the second two murals, she developed individual templates, which she mailed to each participant along with design and color criteria: contrast/ colorful/abstract for Amuzapalooza!, and white/red/silver for Heartistry. Her vision, organizational skills, and artistic talents are what truly pulled this worldwide community of artists together. Photo: David Schorr The last mural was installed on February Author and coordinator Lin Schorr with Amuzapalooza! Installed 2009. Stained glass, vitreous tile, tempered glass, dichroic glass, mirror, smalti, plate glass, glass rods, photos, millefiori; 3’ x 5’ mosaic, 4’ x 6’ framed. 5, 2010, about 18 months after the idea was born, and each mural has been well received. “At one point, two of the murals 10 Society of American Mosaic Artists Photo: Crystal Thomas swirls into warm and cool hues,” explained From left to right, top row: Linda Vaden-Martin, Agnes Spitzer-Greig, Susan Crocenzi , Donna Post, and Susan Walden. Bottom row: Crystal Thomas and Lin Schorr. Background: Heartistry was installed in February in the Cardiology/ICU/Surgical Level 2 at Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan. Stained glass, vitreous tile, tempered glass, mirror, dichroic glass, fused glass, plate glass, ceramic shapes, paper, flatware, metal key, jewelry (earrings, bracelet, pendants and charms, glass marbles, millefiori, polymer clay, metal ball chain, BB pellets, clockwork gears, and beads of coral, metal, glass, and onyx; 3 by 5 ft. mosaic, 4 by 6 ft. framed. had to switch floors,” said Lin. “But the staff had already become attached to ‘their’ mosaic and didn’t hold back any opinions!” Reactions observed by Lin have generally ranged from “they’re so beautiful” to “isn’t it amazing!” And when Lin goes to visit them, “inevitably someone comes by to tell me all about them. I don’t let on that I’m aware—I just smile and listen; it’s kind of fun.” As for the contributing artists, they love being a part of something so beautiful, diverse, and expertly crafted, and are without question delighted to have their work displayed in a healing environment. In fact, one group of SAMA members extended its 2010 conference experience by renting a van and driving from Chicago to Novi, Michigan, just to visit Lin and her murals in person. Lin’s experience with the mural project has been overwhelmingly positive. “I’ve been project managing for years, and only working in mosaic for about three of those. I still plan to plug away learning, designing, and creating. I find the generosity and excitement of people heartwarming and energizing, but not surprising at all.” Mosaic artists continue to ask Lin when they can participate again. “I would love to do more hands-on mosaic collaborations!” said Lin. “However, this last project has kept me busy for over a year, and I need to take some time to work on a few of my own ideas. So instead of murals, I’m working on a charity event that is currently scheduled for April 2011, which coincides with Glass Month in Michigan and will benefit an international charity.” For this project, Lin has collected the largest list of mosaic participants yet. All of the murals are located at Providence Park Hospital in Novi, Michigan, on your immediate right upon exiting the public elevators on floors 2 through 5. Lin’s website is http://linschorr.com. Crystal Thomas is a writer, editor, mom, wife, and last but not least, mosaic artist. CrystalThomasMosaics.com Society of American Mosaic Artists 11 Strength in Numbers A survey of regional groups R by Ilona Fried Extreme Makeover: Home Edition that aired in April (see page 14). people on the email list. But it seems that the area is becoming MOSAICO meets monthly, organizes an annual retreat, and has a mosaic magnet. Oregon artist Lynn Adamo is curating Elements, pooled contributions to donate to SAMA’s Robin Brett Scholarship an exhibit that will run from December 2010 through early 2011, Fund and the SAMA Sponsorship Program. MOSAICO’s new website following on the heels of the acclaimed Cutting Edges show in 2009. is under construction, but if you live in Houston contact Roxana R. If you live in the Northwest, you can keep abreast by visiting groups. Nizza, one of the founding members, at [email protected] yahoo.com/group/mosaicartistsNW/. or (281) 787-2472. Like their Colorado counterparts, Mosaic Artists of Michigan Meanwhile, 160 miles away, the Austin Mosaic Guild (AMG), a (MAM) recently transitioned from an informal group to a non-profit 66-member group that meets monthly, is flexing its organizational association. See the spring issue of Groutline for an entire article muscles as it prepares to host the 2011 American Mosaic Summit. If about MAM, or visit www.mosaicartistsofmichigan.com. you’re an Austinite, stay informed by visiting groups.yahoo.com/ group/austinmosaicgroup/. Finally, while based in Minnesota, The Handmade Tile Association draws its more than 160 members from 29 states and Canada, Up in New England, The Art of Mosaic 2009, a juried exhibition which means that this organization is big enough to have a physi- curated by Bill Buckingham and Margaret Ryan, with work from 58 cal address. If you don’t live nearby but make your own tiles, you artists from six states, appears to have catalyzed even more activity. Jim can still join and be listed at www.handmadetileassociation.org, Bowen and Linda Dadak are planning an international mosaic exhibit which gives details about upcoming meetings and events. for the summer of 2011 at a historic mansion and cultural center on Don’t see your region represented? Come to the next SAMA Cape Cod. Connecticut’s Deb Aldo will be curating two back-to-back conference and meet others from your area. Or, if you can’t wait mosaic exhibits this fall and winter. Although these energetic people do until next spring, visit Mosaic Artists Org (MAO) at groups.yahoo. not organize regular meetings, you can find a directory of artists and com/group/mosaicartistsorg to find folks who want to share things class listings at www.mosaicsnewengland.com. mosaic and, piece by piece, create a group or exhibit together. On the opposite coast, mosaic artists can find one another through egional mosaic activities are spreading faster than Weldbond® on a warm day. Whether you’re a novice or an established artist, local groups and networks are the Northwest Mosaic Artists Yahoo group. It’s a “loose affiliation,” according to Seattle’s Kelley Knickerbocker, with more than 150 Ilona Fried lives in Denver, Colorado, where she writes and makes mosaics. www.mixedmediamosaics.com great places to form friendships, learn or teach mosaic techniques, or offer design or public relations skills to help promote an exhibit. As a fringe benefit, you might find one or more roommates for the next SAMA conference. What follows are selected snapshots of the mosaic love that is rocking the nation. In early 2010, after five years as an informal group, Colorado Mosaic Artists (CMA) made the bold leap into officialdom led by Kathy Thaden, now CMA President. Within three months, CMA registered as a non-profit association, elected officers, launched a website, and organized a juried exhibit, The Art of Mosaics, with more than 30 works from 13 artists. Whew! The group now has 22 dues-paying members, including a few who joined on the spot at the exhibit’s reception. CMA plans six meetings a year at members’ homes and is seeking venues for its next juried show. Visit www.coloradomosaics.org to learn more or follow the group on Facebook. The Minnesota Mosaic Guild (MMG) doesn’t let the long winters slow it down. The Guild, which averages 30 members a year, includes professional mosaic artists and beginners alike and is planning its third annual art exhibit. This year’s show runs through July 28 at the Kären Gallery in Minneapolis. The group meets nearly every month, and for its June gathering, offered critiques with the guidance of a professional facilitator on the artwork of three of its members. And if that programming doesn’t make your tesserae tingle, MMG is researching the possibility of donating a mosaic quilt to Haiti. Keep up with this group at www.minnesotamosaicguild.com. If you see a cloud of glass particles coming over the horizon, that’s because Texas mosaic artists are nipping up a storm. For a fourth year, the 20 members of MOSAICO Houston are donating mosaic bowls to a project benefiting the Houston Food Bank. They’ve also collaborated on an art festival booth, a gallery sale, and an ABC TV 12 Society of American Mosaic Artists Society of American Mosaic Artists 13 B e h i n d t h e S c e n e s of e m e r t x E ver: o e k a on M i t i d E e m o H mer . Plum L n o r by Sha 1 Left: Fabrication nears completion in the studio, revealing the beauty of the iridescent glaze on the bronze tile and the tempered glass "water" of the stylized fountain. Photos on opposite page: 2 Michele Patrick demonstrates the "high-tech" method (not!) for breaking tesserae to size. 3 Darby Freeman and Roxana Nizza prepare the design for transfer to the substrate. After enlarging the design to full-size and taping the printed pages together, they perform some fine-tuning of the overlapping pages. H 1 Michele Patrick, Brian Patrick, and Roxana Nizza work on the top panel of the headboard. They cover pre-drilled screwholes with blue tape and mix the thinset, as needed, in individual small cups, using it to adhere the ceramic tile to the substrate and back-butter the tiles. 3 4 screwheads and seams with pre-cut tesserae, and added border trim. At sunrise on Day The question we’re most frequently asked is how 8, four of us returned to grout, and at 4:00 p.m. that day, the “move that bus” sequence we became involved in the project. The answer: We was filmed and the “reveal” of the completed house was made to the family. All done created the opportunity! After seeing a newspaper in less than 48 hours! article about the rebuild a few days before it started, I Although this summary time frame sounds pretty simple, the real story is in the submitted an offer to sponsor a mosaic project. That obstacles encountered and overcome. Coordination, timing, and flexibility in a job like meant that we, like other sponsors, donated our time this are essential, beginning with having a ready group of volunteers located close to the and all materials for the mosaic. A generally unknown action and free to devote the time required on short notice. We also contended with a aspect is that funding does not come from the TV constantly shifting timetable derailed by rain and rare freezing temperatures during the network. The local builder who leads the project relies early stages of construction. Each delay cascaded through other aspects of the project, on the local community for donations of money, time, affecting us, for example, by delaying approval of the mosaic design by half a day. and skilled trades to support construction. We were Additional unanticipated hindrances were likely rather typical, until the twist proud to participate in a program that helps families at the end: in need; we also felt that it provided good publicity for Tight Security. It took more than an hour to clear multiple checkpoints at the house, mosaic arts, even though my plan to promote SAMA locate hardhats, and pack in the mosaic and installation supplies. by wearing a logo apron backfired. The film crew used Incomplete Walls. Arriving on Day 7 to install the mosaic, we learned that the room’s black tape to cover the SAMA name; no names except walls needed to be replastered and repainted. We installed the mosaic quickly and major sponsors could be shown! vacated the room for the plastering team, with plans for our return at midnight. After The Beach Family Makeover was broadcast on being up for 32 hours, that target became unrealistic. We went back at sunrise on Day Sunday, April 4, 2010. View photos at abc.go.com/ 8, only to find the plaster walls still wet and space heaters and fans going full blast. shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition/photo- Dislodged Tesserae. Several tesserae were knocked off by overnight elevator installation details/beach-family/412358. on the other side of the wall, requiring repair before grouting. ave you ever wondered whether the houses in the ABC-TV program Plummer, Roxana Nizza, Michele Patrick, Darby Over-dried Grout. When we applied the grout, we expected the camera crew to film Extreme Makeover: Home Edition are really demolished, re-built, Freeman, Rachel Stokes, and Brian Patrick—taking the grout wipe-down and buffing. After we had waited two hours for them, we discovered and decorated in only eight days, and what the experience is like? Six up seats around two worktables in Michele’s studio that the grout had become rock hard! We had to scrub like crazy to clean it off. Houston-area mosaicists found out by participating in the home rebuild for the Beach at about 4:00 p.m. on Day 6. During the 18-hour Shrinking Workspace. While we were grouting, our workspace grew ever smaller as family of Kemah, Texas, in January 2010. We can confirm the “extreme” timetable. And marathon of fabricating the mosaic, we each “hit furniture and decorative items were continually being dropped off. take it from us: It is a wild ride! the wall” at some point, but successfully rallied and More Rain Problems. As we triumphantly left the house, we found ourselves on a finished at 11:00 a.m. on Day 7. long slog through the rain to a distant parking area. We found our car mired in muck The show's designer requested a full-size mosaic headboard for a Hacienda Spastyle bedroom. After receiving the invitation at 6:00 p.m. on Day 4 into the build, we After coordinating with the production designer, because the rain and hundreds of cars had transformed the lot into a rutted mud pit. quickly developed design proposals and obtained supplies. As soon as the design and we transported the two-panel headboard three miles After several unsuccessful attempts to get free, a young man in a jeep with a heavy tile were approved, the mad rush began, with the mosaic team—consisting of Sharon to the house and installed it on the wall, covered chain pulled us out—twice! 14 Society of American Mosaic Artists Photo: Courtesy of Vanessa Price, Senior Design Producer - Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Photos: Courtesy of MOSAICO Team 4 2 Sharon Plummer is the owner of Plum Art Mosaics, a founding member of Houston’s mosaic group MOSAICO, and a current SAMA trustee. www.mosaicohouston.com Society of American Mosaic Artists 15 Strategies for Our Second Decade by Shug Jones The weekend of April 30–May 1, 2010, members of the SAMA Board of Trustees and Advisors met for the annual Strategic Planning Retreat. This year’s meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency Austin, the site of the 2011 American Mosaic Summit. First on the agenda was the formal election of the Executive Committee. New officers are: President – Shug Jones, Vice President – Gwyn Kaitis, Secretary – Yvonne Allen, and Treasurer – Jim Penak. Following the election, the board discussed the direction of SAMA as it enters its second decade and, specifically, how to add value to the membership. To that end, the board drafted a SAMA vision statement and a list of long-term goals that we hope to accomplish by 2020. One of the greatest challenges the organization faces, as do many others in this economy, is fiscal. With many members downgrading their membership levels from Professional, Corporate, and above to Individual, our income has been reduced. In addition, even though our greatest revenue generator is our conference, it is not always as profitable as is necessary to provide working capital to cover our ongoing expenses of payroll (for our executive director and operations manager), publications, postage, and so forth. Using the 2010 conference as an example, we have identified several ways that we can cut costs and generate new sources of revenue. While cutting back on costs, we still recognize the necessity to provide value to you as members of SAMA. We have created a Facebook fan page to keep you updated with the latest SAMA happenings. A committee has also been established to look into the feasibility of creating “regional groups” that would allow for juried exhibits, not only of fine art but of themed work, such as decorative mosaics and architectural work. Our retreat ended on Saturday evening with a visit to the MACC (Mexican American Cultural Center), where we viewed available spaces for the 2011 Mosaic Art International (MAI) Exhibition and joined several members of the Austin Mosaic Group at Maria Maria La Cantina for dinner. I assure you that the conference hotel and exhibition venue are first-rate, and you can expect a hearty welcome from Texas. Your board members came away from the retreat with a sense of purpose and enthusiasm. Stay tuned to Groutline, Andamento and SAMA’s Facebook page for further information as it becomes available. SAMA's Vision The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) champions mosaic arts regionally, nationally, and internationally. SAMA's Mission SAMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and promoting excellence in mosaic arts. To achieve this mission, SAMA organizes programs, events, and activities designed to: • Attract and retain members who value excellence in mosaics • Educate both the art community and the public regarding contemporary and classical mosaic arts • Provide opportunities for unlimited creative and professional growth • Foster and sustain a mosaic community where members are encouraged to explore the full potential of the art form Shug Jones is president of SAMA and operates her own mosaic studio with her business partner, Julie Dilling. She also teaches mosaic workshops across the country and internationally. 16 Society of American Mosaic Artists Irina Charny and Crocker Chief Curator and Associate Director Scott Shields, Ph.D. As curator of Mosaic Art Now’s Exhibition in Print, Dr. Shields selected Primavera as one of 18 mosaics (from a total of 528 submissions) for the exhibit. Ms. Charny is seen presenting Primavera to Dr. Shields in April 2010. For more on Irina Charny: www.icmosaics.com For more on Crocker Art Museum: www.crockermuseum.org The Education Committee Your Source for Orsoni Smalti and Mosaic Gold SAMA’s Long-Term Goals (to be realized by 2020) • Become a globally recognized mosaic arts organization • Create strong ties to other arts organizations around the world • Develop a premier web presence: • inclusive of online affiliates and social networking circles • providing fresh content and information regarding upcoming events • with links to art happenings, articles, resources, and opportunities • Cultivate a growing membership worldwide • Nurture regional SAMA sub-groups in addition to the national SAMA organization: • Local opportunities for exhibition • Regional workshops and mini-conferences • Links/introductions to regional galleries • Diversify revenue sources, providing for self-financed growth/financial security • Enhance service levels in all aspects of SAMA operations • Expand membership involvement through volunteer opportunities Crocker Art Museum of Sacramento, California Acquires Contemporary Mosaic Photo: Ben Charny A Report on the SAMA Annual Board Retreat s w e N g in d n a t s t Ou 866-432-5369 SAMA members receive a 5% discount by using the promotional code SAMA 777-!29,!.$-/3!)#3#/- SAMA developed the Education Committee approximately five years ago in an effort to further their mission of educating, inspiring, and promoting excellence in fine mosaic art. It is a standing committee charged with the task of researching, creating, developing, maintaining, and overseeing programs by which SAMA provides educational opportunities to its members and the general public. This committee works in tandem with, and with oversight from, the other committees: Executive, Scholarship, Web, Exhibitions, PR/Communications, and Conference. It reports to the Board of Trustees at monthly meetings. Andrea Shreve Taylor was the first committee chairperson, followed by Hillary Sloate. To date, this committee (comprised entirely of volunteers) has primarily helped to shape the conference workshops and presentations. We continue to attract world-renowned instructors and lecturers. In Chicago 2010, 280 students took multiple workshops, totaling 630 workshop seats. We remain the largest mosaic education event in the world. Additionally, a core of expert mosaicists maintains and responds to Ask A Pro questions from the website. We have also been listening to member requests and researching potential educational ventures. Over the next few years, SAMA’s Education Committee will broaden its reach to offer workshops and programs to a wider range of members and mosaic enthusiasts. This year, we created a lesson plan to compliment the MAI exhibition. Other programs in development are: Train the Trainer, a mosaic instructor certification program; traveling slide shows and lectures on the Art and History of Mosaic; and regional workshops. If you would like to have a role in SAMA’s educational offerings, please contact [email protected]. —Hillary Sloate M<IPK?@E>2FL'<<; 5NIQUEAND4RADITIONAL-ATERIALS FROM!ROUNDTHE7ORLD TO-AKE9OUR-OSAIC6ISIONA2EALITY &AST&REE3HIPPING SEEWEBSITEFORDETAILS $ISCOUNTFOR3!-!-EMBERS "UTLER2OAD Ŷ 'LYNDON-$ Ŷ INFO MARYLANDMOSAICSCOM Society of American Mosaic Artists 17 Contributors Volunteer Spotlight Laura Rendlen It’s hard not to gush when I talk about SAMA. Thank You SAMA 2010 Sustaining Sponsors! Diamond Circle Sustaining Contributor The Chicago Mosaic School Five years ago, after my first conference, I knew I had found “my people.” This group held a shared sense of purpose, and I wanted to be a part of it. Previously, I had been working in a vacuum, and at SAMA there were lectures, discussions, and so much exposure to new techniques. I called it “graduate school in a weekend.” Gold Circle Sustaining Contributors Mosaic Rocks! & Mosaic Art Yearbook WitsEnd Mosaic President’s Circle Sustaining Contributors Laticrete International & Smalti.com & Perdomo Smalti Mosaicos Bizantinos I wanted to learn it all. The best way to do that was to get involved in the organization. I have had a blast volunteering in workshops, registration, the SAMA store, the raffle, and more. I have learned so much from just talking with people, establishing lifelong friendships, and even receiving a few freebies from vendors. I also learned how truly wonderful this organization is. The people behind the scenes Bronze Circle Sustaining Contributors D&D Tile & Jacqueline Iskander Mosaics di Mosaico JeanAnn Dabb Mosaic Smalti Mosaicartists.org MOSAICO– Society of Houston Mosaic Artists Plum Art Mosaics Ranco–Lubbock, TX Silver Circle Sustaining Contributors SAMA Board of Trustees are organized, dedicated, and well directed. I have assisted the Sponsorship Committee and the Public Relations Committee, and most recently I served as coordinator of the Vendor Marketplace in Chicago. It was very exciting, and I was never overwhelmed because we all shared the work. Photo: Ethan Rendlen I love being a part of SAMA. Through the combined efforts of so many, we have created a world in which we can all develop and thrive. —Laura Rendlen Volunteer /2010 Vendor Marketplace Coordinator www.LRFinemosaics.com Mail or fax to: SAMA Membership and begin receiving Groutline. Please print and complete this membership form and send it, P.O. Box 624 along with a check or credit card information, to the address below. Please allow 3-4 weeks for Ligonier, PA 15658 membership processing. You can also join online at www.americanmosaics.org. 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Student •Groutline, SAMA’s quarterly journal •Available to students with valid •Andamento, the monthly e-newsletter ID for up to three years •Member rates and privileges for the annual Professional Mosaic Summit and Vendor Marketplace •Link on SAMA website •Private access to Members Only section of •Ability to list classes on website SAMA website •Use of SAMA logo •Inclusion in the website’s Members' Gallery •Special listing in Directory •Exhibition opportunities •Submit questions to “Ask A Pro” •Eligibility to apply for the annual Robin Questions? Call: Brett Mosaic Scholarship •Networking opportunities Toll-Free: 1- 866 -902-SAMA •Optional listing in Annual Direct: 1-724-238-3087 Member Directory corporate •Use of SAMA logo •Website link from SAMA’s Suppliers page •Ability to purchase advertising •Advance-conference sponsorship opportunities •Special listing in Directory Patron •Special acknowledgements and listings •Most advance-conference sponsorship opportunities Society of American Mosaic Artists 19 6ISITING!RTISTS 3PRING3UMMER $SFBUJWJUZ 8PSLTIPQ XJUI "VTUSBMJBO"SUJTU .OLA $IAMANTOPOULOS 8PSLTIPQTCZ 1MFBTFWJTJUPVSXFCTJUFGPSNPSFEFUBJMT XXXDIJDBHPNPTBJDTDIPPMDPN 3ONIA+ING -ATTEO2ANDI 3UE'IANNOTTI 9ULIA(ANANSEN ends Texas ext "EWBODJOH&EVDBUJPOJO$MBTTJDBM$POUFNQPSBSZ.PTBJD"SUT lcome a warm we Dallas, TX Permit 6803 US Postage Paid Non–profit Org. P.O. Box 624 Ligonier, PA 15658-0624