Mosaic Artist Community Growing by Leaps and Bounds

More than 185 mosaic artists, art lovers, and design professionals from across the U.S. and abroad recently convened in Miami, Florida for the second annual conference and juried exhibition of the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA). SAMA president, Sonia King, welcomed the group and noted that membership in the young organization had tripled in 2002.

Miami-Dade Community College hosted the conference at its downtown Wolfson campus and presented the group show, titled “Earth Elements,” in its Centre Gallery. The 62 pieces selected for the exhibition demonstrated the broad range of contemporary expression achievable in this ancient art form. Mosaics in stone, glass, ceramic tile, beads, paper, and vintage porcelain were represented, sometimes in combination with wood, metals, minerals, and found objects. “Each work, whether narrative, nonobjective, or decorative, is evocative of the artist’s skill and vision,” stated King. “The best pieces take maximum advantage of the essential characteristic of mosaic—the exquisite tension created by the interplay of shape, color, and texture of individual tesserae (tiles) and the mosaic as a whole.”

The conference kicked off with three workshops, followed by two days of presentations and panel discussions. Topics included historical, technical, business, and esthetic issues from various perspectives. Several mosaic artists from the Miami area showcased their work, and one, Carlos Alves, held a studio open house that many attended. A vendor show gave attendees an opportunity to speak with materials and tools suppliers and see new wares up close. As the conference drew to a close, artists participating in the exhibition gave assembled in the gallery to speak about their work and answer questions.

Attendees gave high marks to the annual meeting. Taty Drozdova, of Palatine, Illinois, expressed the typical response: “Through my whole corporate career I don’t recall any conference that gave so much—professional knowledge, tips and techniques, marketing ideas, and lots of friends. At first, I was a little intimidated, thinking who am I to be among these pros? I was surprised to see that many who attended were just like me, corporate runaways, self-taught, self-started. I thoroughly enjoyed being among people who love what they do and are happy with their lives. My brain is ready to explode with new ideas and plans.”

Plans are already underway for SAMA’s next conference and exhibition, to be held in San Francisco in January 2004.

The Society of American Mosaic Artists is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion of mosaic art and the advancement of mosaic artists through research, education, and networking. Incorporated in 1999, SAMA’s worldwide membership includes professional mosaic artists, hobbyists, educators, academicians, manufacturers, suppliers, and those who just love mosaics. Benefits of membership include a quarterly newsletter, exhibition opportunities, and an annual conference.

For more information, contact www.americanmosaics.org or info@americanmosaics.org.

At the Second Annual Juried Exhibition of Mosaic Art, best in show honors went to Miami’s Val Carroll for Centrum-Cervid (33”h x 21”w x 6”d), created in ceramic mosaic and wood. The show was held at the Centre Gallery, Miami-Dade Community College, Miami, FL.

Lou Ann Weeks
SAMA