Michael Kruzich is coming to Philadelphia!

Dec. 30 Update: WORKSHOP IS FULL! Waiting list requests are being accepted!

Registration is now open for Michael Kruzich's 3-day intensive workshop in February! A world-renowned mosaicist, Michael largely works in the so-called Ravenna-method, or double-reverse method, for his own work, but will be teaching the direct method using hammer and hardie, as well as an exercise on gradation, in this Philadelphia-area workshop.. For more information and registration information, see the Events page -- but hurry, the registration deadline is January 12 and we already have a few sign-ups for this workshop, which is limited to 12 students!

And don't forget - the extended deadline for Shattering Expectations is Friday!!

Extended deadline approaching!

The Philadelphia Magic Gardens juried exhibit extended deadline is rapidly approaching! December 20 is the date when applications are due for artists who are residents of  Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington DC.  (details at the Magic Garden's website). Applications are rolling in, and it is bound to be a GREAT exhibit, as well as a great chance for area artists to exhibit their work! Get your applications in!

Lowes Mosaic update

We are half-way there! The Lowes Mosaic is no longer at the Lowes Hotel Philadelphia. Stephen Miotto, original fabricator of the mosaic, was on hand to disassemble the mosaic, and oversee the move of the panels to CAPA, the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia.

Jason Zahaczewski, from the Humphrey Rich Construction Group, and his crew, assisted Mr. Miotto, and worked with the crew from the City of Philadelphia, thanks to Dan O'Brien, Assistant Manager of the City of Philadelphia, to relocate the panels to CAPA.

The panels will be stored at CAPA while the future site of the mosaic is prepared and a date convenient to the many volunteers who will, under the direction of Mr. Miotto, reassemble the mosaic, make any necessary restorations and get it ready for its debut as a centerpiece of its new home at CAPA. 

“Save the Mosaic!” update

Plans to move the Loews Hotel Philadelphia mosaic to CAPA are moving right along. After two successful fundraising events, the mosaic is being carefully dismantled today and tomorrow, November 11th and 12th, by Stephen Miotto, the original fabricator of the mosaic, and his crew, and Jason Zahaczewski, from the Humphrey Rich Construction Group, and his crew. The panels will then be transported by the City of Philadelphia, thanks to Dan O'Brien, Assistant Manager of the City of Philadelphia, to CAPA, the Creative and Performing Arts High School of Philadelphia. The mosaic will be temporarily stored until the necessary parties can agree on a date to assemble the mosaic. 

Thank you to everyone who helped MSoP raise the necessary funds to cover the additional costs to relocate the mosaic! Keep checking this space for updates on the project!

General Meeting - Nov. 17

The next General Meeting is November 17, in Bryn Mawr!  See the Events page for directions! 

Success!!

The auction totals and donations are still being tallied, but we can call the fundraiser to Save the Mosaic! a success. An estimated 200 hundred people were present at the Happy Hour fundraiser at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia last Thursday evening, and by all accounts a good time was had. There was active bidding on the donated items, a lot of laughter and camaraderie, good music by the students of CAPA (Philadelphia high school for Creative and Performing Arts - the future home of the mosaic), and the tremendous hospitality of Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Thank you to all who participated!

From left to right: Nancy Frank, Board Member, MSoP, organizer of the event and leading the campaign to Save the Mosaic!; Carol Shelkin, President of the Board, MSoP; Jane Golden, Executive Director, Philadelphia Mural Arts Program; Richard J. Watson, Curator of Exhibitions at the African American Museum and designer of the mosaic at the Loews Hotel Soul Food Restaurant.

Relocating this large mosaic from its current location to its new home is a costly proposition, and even with the very generous donations by of time, resources and funds by all involved, your help is still needed! We hope you will attend our next fundraiser for this cause, a brunch and lecture with Stephen Miotto, the fabricator of the mosaic, next Sunday, October 27, at the Loews Hotel Philadelphia. Reservations are required.  

Mosaic artists, enthusiast and supporters mingled, with the mosaic as backdrop. The 40' x 7' mosaic has been a part of the Loews since it opened in 2000.

From left: Sharon Ritz, April Press, and Claire Brill, with the original drawing for the mosaic in the background.

If you can't make the event and would like to help with a dollar or two, or five - or ten!, please send your donation via PayPal to mosaicsocietyofphila@gmail.com and note "Save the Mosaic" on the notes field, OR checks can be made to and sent to: Mosaic Society of Philadelphia (MSoP), PO Box 211, Drexel Hill, PA 19026. Every dollar counts and we appreciate it!

All photos in this post are courtesy of Alissa Blumenthal. Thanks Alissa, for all your help!

Welcome to MSoP!

The Mosaic Society of Philadelphia started in 2011 as the dream of a few mosaicists wishing for a community of creatives with a common interest. Today, we are amazed at the community that has come together to share a love for mosaic arts and many adventures in exhibiting, learning and celebrating each other! As we work hard to expand our reach, encourage membership and hopefully bring the Society of American Mosaic Arts (SAMA)'s Conference to Philadelphia in the near future, we are happy to launch our new web site and blog. We hope to use this space to keep members and friends alike up to date with the events organized by the Society, highlight topics of interest and celebrate mosaic arts in general. We sincerely hope you will look around at our Events page (we have some great events going on!), and consider becoming a member if you are not already!