2013 American Mosaic Summit ~ Tacoma, WA

 The 2013 American Mosaic Summit has come to a close. We had a blast meeting new people, greeting old friends, finding new materials, sharing new techniques, and above all seeing the multitude of gorgeous mosaics!

Streuter Technologies' No Days Instructor Carrie Strope was able to team up with Susan Gamble of Santa Theresa Tileworks and Steve Shupper of Glass Accessories International to offer 2 four hour workshops titled, "Mixing It Up and Making It Great: Expanding Your Creativity with New Products and Technology." 

The workshops were open to all skill levels and focused on expanding the creative approach and mosaic materials palette, trying new tools and increasing knowledge of mounting methods and products for small and large scale, indoors and out-of-door projects.

 Students designed impromptu mosaics using Spectrum glass, Van Gogh glass, and thin, high fired, frost-resistant Skinny Tiles made by Santa Theresa Tile Works on wedi board with No Days Groutless Mosaic Adhesive, No Days Q Stik, or No Days Mesh.

Susan Gamble offered inspiration for design with a colorful presentation featuring various installations using Santa Theresa tiles and No Days adhesives. Steve Shupper gave a thorough overview of cutting glass and tiles using Toyo cutters and the Morton Portable Glass Shop to make strips, squares, triangles, diamonds and more. Carrie Strope finished by giving a quick demo of using Streuter's heat set adhesives and how to choose the proper adhesive for the job.

Not only did students leave with a nearly completed mosaic (we didn't grout in class), they received a special treat, as well! Steve handed each student the new Toyo pistol grip cutters with tap wheel (or vibrational) heads. Each student also went home with a roll of No Days Groutless Mosaic Adhesive, and samples of No Days Q Stik and Mesh.

We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves as much as we did and can't wait to see pictures of finished projects! Thanks to everyone that took the class or stopped by the booth in the vendor marketplace. We can't wait for next year!

Susan Gamble, Artist Owner, Santa Theresa Tile Works
After completing a BFA in Art Education in 1972 and teaching elementary school art for nearly 10 years, Susan Gamble completed a MFA in Ceramics at University of California at Long Beach. In 1986, immediately after leaving school, Susan returned to her home in Tucson, Arizona and opened a ceramic studio. 26 years later Susan, along with all 6 Santa Theresa Tile Works employees, is still making tile, public art and teaching workshops. Santa Theresa Tile Works’ 4,000 sq.ft. studio, retail showroom and classroom has become a Tucson arts destination. Commissioned private and public art works extend from Hollywood to Boston; Salt Lake City to Arizona-Mexico border. www.santatheresatileworks.com.
Steve Shupper, Director of Marketing, Glass Accessories International
After completing a degree in Landscape Architecture from the University of Arizona, Steve worked as a licensed LA in Tucson and San Diego for 15 years before joining the family glass cutter business (established 1976.) Steve has worked in the glass industry full time since 2008. He is the immediate past president of the Art Glass Association and is currently heading a campaign called “Art Glass in Art Class.” In this campaign Steve travels the country teaching art teachers how to integrate glass into their art programs and curriculums. www.glassaccessories.com
Carrie Strope, Streuter Technologies
Carrie designs projects and produces teaching videos for Streuter Technologies products. She also travels the country and conducts Streuter’s “Road Shows” that provide demonstrations and technical assistance on Streuter products to glass and mosaic retail stores and workshops. www.streuter.com