Special Offer
Limited time only (Click to copy)
Mosaics at Montsalvat
(+1 more date)
Description
A mosaic birdbath course & bonus jewellery workshop.
Starting Thursday, February 20 in the tranquil setting of The White Cottage inside beautiful Montsalvat, this enriching mosaic-making class is your opportunity to relax, unwind, and reconnect with your creative spirit.
Perfect for participants aged 16 and up, this 10-week course invites you to embark on a therapeutic journey of self-expression through the timeless art of mosaics. Each 2-hour session is thoughtfully designed to guide you in crafting beautiful, unique mosaic pieces while providing a calming escape from the stresses of daily life.
What to Expect:
* Therapeutic Creativity: Discover the joy and mindfulness that comes from piecing together fine bone china and coloured tiles into stunning mosaics. Allow your hands and heart to work in harmony as you focus, let go, and create.
* Self-Discovery: Explore your artistic potential and express your individuality through a medium that celebrates transformation and beauty.
* Master the Craft: Learn essential techniques, including selecting the perfect base, cutting, and arranging pieces, and skilfully gluing them to bring your vision to life.
Jewellery Art: As part of the first class, Sonja will introduce you to the delicate art of making mosaic jewellery, using fine bone china she has lovingly sourced.
Course Structure
Week 1: Introduction to the art of mosaic. Design your birdbath using templates provided or be guided to create you own unique design. This introductory class includes a bonus mosaic jewellery making workshop where you will make 2 pieces and begin learning to use the tile and glass cutting tools and gluing techniques.
Week 2: Finalise your design and transfer onto the handmade ceramic birdbath provided. Learn how to hand cut and cement the coloured tiles onto the base to begin creating your unique art piece.Learn grouting techniques by grouting the jewellery pieces you made in week 1.
Week 3-9: Continue to be guided by Sonja to fine tune your mosaic skills as you continue to work on your birdbath. You will learn various mosaic methods and design tips as your work progresses.
Week 10: It is in this final class where your design will come alive as you grout your finished birdbath.
A history of making art and mosaics
Leave your daily concerns behind as you loose yourself in the medative process of mosaicing. Smash, cut and glue colourful elements to create your own beautiful art that will endure for many years.
Mosaics date back 3,500 years and can be pictorial or patterned, intricate or simple. Mosaics are nicknamed ´eternal pictures´ because of their durability and can be made of everything from coloured stone to seashells, ceramics and glass held together by plaster or glue or mortar.
Why Join?
• Mosaics offer a meditative process that helps reduce stress and promotes relaxation.
• Creating art in a supportive, peaceful environment can boost your confidence and spark joy.
• You’ll walk away not just with stunning handmade pieces but with a sense of accomplishment and tranquility.
Under the expert guidance of mosaic artist Sonja Parkinson, this class is more than just an art workshop—it’s a space to rediscover yourself, nurture your soul, and immerse in the beauty of creative expression.
Let the vibrant materials and your imagination transport you to a serene, fulfilling creative realm.
Reserve your spot today and begin your mosaic art journey.
Your masterpiece—and your peace of mind—await!
Cost: $500 per person or $450 per person if you book in two places at once.
What you will learn
- Discover the amazing world of mosaic art!
- Learn how to use bone china, coloured tiles with tile cutters and then gluing, cementing & grouting
- How satisfying it is to use your hands and eyes to create art!
What you will get
- All materials provided for FREE!
- Lots of fun and smiles with Sonja!
- Art therapy & self discovery - gift yourself or a friend something really healing and enjoyable
Parking is immediate visible once you enter Montsalvat. Please park safely. Instructions to be attached in the booking
What to bring
- phone camera with notebook
- fully covered shoes
- apron optional but not compulsory
What to wear
Casual clothing
Appropriate for
16 year olds and older!
Nestled within Montsalvat—Australia’s oldest continuously active artists' community—our studios offer a diverse range of creative outlets. Clay Talk is one of several studios, providing ceramics classes in wheel throwing and hand building for all levels, alongside specialised programs led by established artists.
In addition to ceramics, we also offer classes in drawing, painting, and mosaic, with an expanded repertoire of educational offerings planned for 2025. This dynamic environment supports learners across various disciplines, all within the inspiring setting of Montsalvat, where art is created, taught, exhibited, and experienced.
Your Teacher
Sonja Parkinson is a passionate mosaic artist from Nillumbik, renowned for her community-centered projects that unite people through creative expression. With a Working with Children Check, Sonja brings her skills to youth and community spaces, ensuring a safe and engaging environment for all participants.
In November 2018, Sonja volunteered at the Living and Learning Nillumbik summer event, leading a mosaic seat-making workshop for children. She prepared precut tiles to guide the younger artists in creating vibrant designs, which she later grouted and affixed to recycled oil drums, turning them into unique seating for the centre’s garden.
Earlier that year, Sonja also ran a mosaic workshop series at St Andrews Primary School, where she guided every student and staff member in crafting their own mosaic stools. These cherished creations were exhibited at the Wadumbuk Community Centre before being taken home as mementos.
Sonja’s work includes meaningful memorials as well, such as her involvement in the Black Saturday mosaic seat at the St Andrews Market. As part of a team of bushfire survivors, she helped create a mosaic that memorialises Black Saturday and serves as a gift to the community. She also collaborated with this group on the mosaic splashback in the Gregory Burgess-designed Wadumbuk Community Centre, adding depth and beauty to the space.
Through her work, Sonja brings art education, community engagement, and impactful storytelling together, creating lasting, meaningful pieces that strengthen community bonds.
Montsalvat Arts Education has an average rating of 4.9 for their other classes.
See other reviewsCancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a transfer or credit note.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
You may cancel anytime before class starts and claim a full refund or transfer or credit note.
We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.
Terms & Conditions
TERMS & CONDITIONS
To secure your place in a class, course or workshop we require full payment at the time of booking.
Bookings are only accepted through our online portal at www.claytalk.weteachme.com/.
Payment of class, course or workshop fees can only be made through our online portal at www.claytalk.weteachme.com/.
ACCESS TO CLAY TALK & OTHER ART CLASSES
Clay Talk studio is the centre for organising all art courses located on the grounds of Montsalvat. For this reason there are security measures in place to prevent trespassing and maintain your safety. Upon booking you should receive an Information Kit which has instructions on how to access Clay Talk studio and other art studio spaces that pertains to your class.
REFUNDS / ABSENCE / TRANSFERS
- We DO NOT automatically offer refunds or transfers if you change your mind after you have made the booking.
- Our first option will always be to offer a credit note.
- Please be sure you are able to commit to the class, course or workshop dates and times prior to booking.
- If your circumstances have changed BEFORE the class or term starts and cannot commit, we will offer you a refund MINUS the 8% transfer fees incurred to process this of total cost you paid.
- We might be able to offer alternative arrangements if you cannot attend class by contacting us at claytalk@montsalvat.com.au to check if you are eligible within 5 working days of missing your class . Retrospective requests will not be accepted. Studio Access times are NOT make-up classes.
- Clay Talk reserves the right to cancel a class due to unforeseen circumstances such as insufficient enrolments. You will be notified prior to the class if cancellation of the class is deemed necessary and a pro-rata refund will be provided.
ILLNESS
In the event that students cannot attend the classes, students must email claytalk@montsalvat.com.au as soon as possible prior to the commencement of the rescheduled class or workshop. If a student is unable to attend the rescheduled classes or workshop Clay Talk may, at its absolute discretion, provide either a credit note or a pro-rata refund (minus an administration fee of 8%).
GIFT VOUCHERS
Gift vouchers are only available through our online portal www.claytalk.weteachme.com/. Gift vouchers can be purchased for a minimum of $20 and are valid for 3 years from purchase. Gift vouchers can be only be used for booking classes, courses and/or workshops at Clay Talk through our online portal. Gift vouchers can be applied at check out when booking a class, course or workshop. Purchased Gift Vouchers through Clay Talk, Montsalvat and We Teach Me cannot be exchanged for cash in return and can only be used to the value of the courses and experiences on offer for the benefit of your artistic pursuit and happiness.
FIRING OF WORK AT CLAY TALK
Most workshops include firing and glazing of a specific number of pieces. Check the workshop listing description on our online platform. Students participating in one-off workshops must label their pieces with the name associated with their booking/ticket.
We take extreme care with your work but accidents do happen and we are unable to guarantee that your work will be successfully fired. Clay Talk takes no responsibility for failure or breakage of work.
Term classes at CLAY TALK:
- Firing of 3kg of finished work per student is included in the term class fee for most clases.
- Students can make and fire more work over this limit however additional charges apply.
- Students must label each of their pieces with their Makers Mark (your Makers Mark is made up of the initials of your first, middle & last name and your class code e.g. John Adam Smith = JAS). No Makers Mark will mean your work will not be fired.
If a kiln shelf is badly damaged from your work due to incorrect glaze type or clay body, you will be charged for the cost of replacing that shelf.
- If your work damages the interior of the kiln, you will be required to pay a fine based on the severity of the damage to be determined by the Clay Talk Studio Coordinator.
COLLECTION OF WORK
- Firing, glazing and packaging of your work takes approximately 2-4 weeks after your class/workshop.
- You will be notified by email when your work is ready for collection.
- Student work must be collected within 1 month of being notified. Students will be notified by email to the email address provided upon booking. If fired work, leftover clay and/or tools are not collected within this time it will be disposed of or donated to Clay Talk Fundraising.