Workshops

I run an inspirational Mosaic Workshop Programme from my studio, and an annual residential mosaic course in Italy. Workshops can be designed for small groups at the studio and for organisations. I have delivered workshops for the Craft Scotland ‘Meet Your Maker’ programme, National Museums Scotland and The Living Memory Association as well as for educational establishments, including Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh, and Leith School of Art.

If you would like to discuss a mosaic workshop for your organisation or group please get in touch.

Get in touch

Workshops

I run an inspirational Mosaic Workshop Programme from my studio, and an annual residential mosaic course in Italy. Workshops can be designed for small groups at the studio or for organisations. I have delivered workshops for the Craft Scotland ‘Meet Your Maker’ programme, National Museums Scotland and The Living Memory Association as well as for educational establishments, including Edinburgh College of Art, The University of Edinburgh, and Leith School of Art.

If you would like to discuss a mosaic workshop for your organisation or group please get in touch.

Get in touch

Upcoming Workshops

Upcoming Workshops

Painterly Mosaics

Painterly Mosaics

18-21 July 2025 Taught by Dr Helen Bodycomb at Edinburgh Mosaic Workshop  I am delighted to be hosting a 4-day Painterly Mosaics workshop taught by guest Australian mosaicist, Dr Helen Bodycomb. The workshop will focus on learning how to think and make like a painter...

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Elements of Place – Formed by Fire

Elements of Place – Formed by Fire

Co-tutored by Andrea Spencer and Joanna Kessel, 5 – 9 May 2025, Benefield Spencer Glass, Ballintoy, County Antrim, Northern Ireland.   “Elements of Place – Formed by Fire is a five day flameworking and micro-mosaic workshop aimed at practicing glass and mosaic...

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I enjoyed the course immensely. Thank you Joanna and Andrea.
Wonderful knowledgeable tutors who gave of their all.
I wanted to see how I could use transparent glass filati in sculptural work and I achieved that when I made the filati and embedded them in the concrete.
Andrea’s studio set up was so good for the flamework, pulling the filati was so absorbing!
Location was great and for the mosaic artists especially the coastline was superb for our foraging trip.
Having the lunch on site was great and I loved the food. The evening dinners were also great and gave us time to learn what each other had done during the day.
Loved seeing the presentation of everyone’s work and the feedback at the end of the workshop.
Gwyn

Student on the Elements of Place – Formed by Fire workshop, Northern Ireland. 2023

I had an absolutely wonderful time at this workshop. It was an inspirational mix of field trips, developing new skills and trying out new ideas. The tutors were excellent, covering the main techniques to start with and then supporting each student to develop these in their own way. I came away feeling full of inspiration and look forward to developing the ideas further back in my own studio. I highly recommend this course!
Rachel Davies

Student on the Elements of Place – Formed by Fire workshop, Northern Ireland. 2023

I had previously experimented with hand-pulled filati heating bits of smalti in a crucible with a hand-held torch… At the glass studio we were introduced to a stationary flamework torch which leaves both hands free to work the glass. To me, this was a game changer.
I had very little experience with casting concrete or plaster, so was somewhat surprised at the simplicity of the technique required to create such amazing results.
A description of the workshop would not be complete without mentioning two of the best parts—the camaraderie among the students and the delicious food provided by an artist friend of Andrea’s. The fabulous meals made from farm-fresh local ingredients helped to fuel the friendships which developed over the week. All in all, an amazing five days!
Beth

Student on the Elements of Place – Formed by Fire workshop, Northern Ireland. 2023

The first word that comes to mind is that the creative holiday was BRILLIANT. It was one of the best “art-related” holidays I have ever been on. To have two tutors who work so well together and both so good at it made a huge difference. This was highlighted when we saw the tutors’ representations of each other’s work. They were both really encouraging, valuing everyone’s creations and creating such a good learning atmosphere. I enjoyed seeing each day the tapestry jewels created as well as everyone’s mosaics.
Lel Blair

Student on the Mosaic & Tapestry course, Italy. 2019

One of the highlights for me was the trip to the modern mosaic gallery – I don’t think I had really thought about modern mosaics before and this was such a great insight into what is possible. The other highlight really is just being in Portico – such a lovely place to spend time and just be – I feel very lucky and privileged to have been part of the group and came home feeling inspired and with a spring in my step – I was challenged and for me that is a good thing – I feel it was very worthwhile and would consider doing another joint holiday again – I think tapestry and mosaic work well together. Such a lovely group too – I met new people and caught up with old friends too. I loved it – thank you to Jo and Laura for making it such a productive, creative and memorable week – you are both great teachers and bring out the best in your pupils and seem to help us realise what we can achieve!
Jo Downie

Student on the Mosaic and Tapestry course, Italy. 2018

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I send out a periodic information about exhibitions, workshops, open studios and mosaic related events.  Read my Privacy Policy below.

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