Description

Mosaics: Beyond the Basics provides information and training projects to help those who wish to advance their mosaics to the next level. A workbook and Power Point for each student provides additional instructional materials. 

Adults Only, 18+

This class offers an in-depth look at refining skills and different techniques: design planning, andamento (what is it and why is it important?), blending colors for gradations that achieve a natural gradient color flow, design elements: tiles (size, shape of cuts, texture, types of tile or found objects), tonal range, and perspective. 

Students will work on various practice exercises to have reference pieces, and may create their own design for a special project during class sessions.

Instructor: Dotti Stone

Dotti received a BA from Richmond Professional Institute (now VCU). She 
was a professional photographer for many years in the Wash DC area.   In the late 70s/early 80s, as owner/designer of Great Falls Stained Glass in Northern VA, she created residential  and commercial commissioned work and taught classes. 

Stone took up mosaics in 2004 while in Northern VA. She relocated to Wirtz VA in 2007, then to Bedford VA in 2010. She has had a studio at Bower Center since 2010 and in 2018 opened another in Studios 207 in The Electric Company Art & More in Bedford. 

In 2015 she and several other mosaic artists formed BRMA, Blue Ridge Mosaic Artists. The group meets bimonthly at Studios 207, exhibits mosaics, and works on community mosaic projects.

Stone creates fine art panels and sculptural works, and teaches mosaics classes to adults, and to youth in Bower’s summer arts camp and after school       programs.  Stone exhibits widely in the area, in national exhibits, and in 2013 teamed up with mosaic artist Stephen Brailo to  present exhibits that        combine his traditional classical style and her contemporary approach.

“Most rewarding is seeing what my students create, their excitement over the different materials and colors, learning various techniques and different   applications, and developing an appreciation for   mosaics. Mosaic art is one of the oldest art forms and creating and exhibiting them to inspire others to   enjoy,  appreciate, and learn about this versatile and tactile form of art is important and satisfying.”