The Chicago Mosaic School

I teamed up with CMS to work on a project for a school. They submitted a proposal and I paid. At the last minute they pulled out because they did not want to grout the project, even though thier proposal stated explicitly that it was included on the scope of the project. They were extremely unprofessional and I am sorry to say I would never recommend them.

I love art. I love crafts. I love mosaics.
And I have lived in Chicago for over 20 years.
So why is it I am just finding out about this place recently!!!
Well, obviously there is something wrong with me.
(maybe that could be a list on it’s own, but let’s get back to the review)
I signed up for a class here with a friend; specifically the Mosaic Jewelry Workshop, at her suggestion. (Hi Vicky!)
I had no idea what to expect, and frankly was a bit nervous. Sure, I went to Art School way back when, but I had never done anything close to glass cutting or mosaics. Like I said, a was a little intimidated. There was absolutely no need to be! Everyone was so warm and welcoming, we all felt like old friends just a few minutes into arriving for our class.
Our instructor was Cody, and he was fabulous! Super encouraging and patient, he explained every tool, how it was used, and proceeded to give us each individual attention with our projects. He also had a good sense of humor, which is always a plus in my book.
We had the opportunity to make two different pendents. The cost of the class was not only reasonable, but included all supplies and use of the tools. And it was fun!
A great group of people, a fun encouraging environment, and a super way to spend an afternoon! Check them out for yourselves, Unilocalers!

Awesome place!!! I never would have found this without buying a groupon. It is a bit off the beaten path. We bought a jewelry class and loved loved loved it! The work they do is amazing. The work areas are clean and very well organized. It is a pleasurable space. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. I will be signing up for some glasses. The glass on glass window is my favorite. It looked better than stained glass.

Since it most definitely is original as one of a kind in chicago, I will give it 5 stars. I finally was able to go with a friend through Groupon and so exited indeed! The instructors went step by step to help us achieve out very own tile made from pieces of glass, broken tiles, mortar and such. I had the most relaxing time, and although of course I have never done a mosaic piece, I was quite pleased with the result I took
home. They bring in artisans all the way from Italy to show their students the way to make tiles, stained glass windows and other pieces of art work. They supply every piece of equipment and you bring in a bottle of wine if you’d like. There are even snacks too! They have the most exquisite «museum» of tile display anywhere in Chicago and they allow you to touch!
I was just amazed at the art in it’s barest form being displayed. I am so happy I was invited because normally I am not sure if I would of gone. The BYOB really was an added feature. Located in a former factory loft, this is a Chicago «don’t miss.»

I LOVE this place!
My friend and I got a LivingSocial deal for Chi Mosaic School online and immediately signed up for the intro class. We got a great impression even before we went to the class, as they were all filling up so quickly, which was a great sign! I really love the location of this school and there is TONS of free street parking there as well as 2 free parking lots, one in front and one in back.
You go inside and walk upstairs which is where the studio/​classes take place as well as a small gallery area and 2 stores to buy tiles and different items for making mosaics.
We got a tour of the gallery before starting the class and an explanation about the history of the school as well has a short background on mosaic making and it’s history. The Chi Mosaic is the first and only mosaic school in North America, which was an amazing and very interesting fact I had no idea about!
The instructors working here are very kind, patient, and encouraging. I learned so much from this class! I already had a deep respect for artists working in this medium and knew it was very difficult, but I had no idea just how detailed it was. We got to make two small tile-​sized pieces using the mosaic pieces. We learned how to score, cut, puncture and arrange the glass.
I got a wealth of information from just this intro class, and I can’t imagine how much more I could learn from the other classes.
Very excited to take another class here soon!
Definitely check out Chi Mosaic School, you won’t regret it!

My sister and I went to their 3 hour intro mosaic workshop that we purchased youswoops for. The space is fantastic and the organization of the materials was impressive. The instructors were patient, very supportive and gave us the necessary amount of individual time and assistance. I would definitely consider going back!

I bought a YouSwoop for their introduction class and attended today. The space is very clean and spacious with even a gallery and supply store. It’s very easy to get to via public transportation: the Irving Park or Damen bus. Parking is a bit problematic, though. The class had about 20 students and while that seems like a lot, our instructor Ahmed was able to give us personalized instruction and the studio assistant also helped. The other students were also friendly and helpful. I learned a lot today and may even be back sometime. Thanks for a great and fun class!

My teen-​aged daughter and I just enjoyed an intro class with Ahmed. We really learned alot in three fast hours… including huge respect for mosaic artists! And, we were able to get into the art form enough to complete a piece that was uniquely ours! Great hands-​on class! Lots of learning. Fun creativity. A little time pressure, but something cool to show for our adventure in mosaics! We’ll be back!

A few friends and I took advantage of a Groupon deal for a mosaic class. I went expecting mostly to have fun with my friends and not expecting much from the class. .. but the class turned out to be pretty great! There was enough information to get us started, but we actually picked out our own materials, cut our own tiles, and designed our own pieces. Our instructor, Ahmed, was very friendly and helpful – and his work is gorgeous.
I didn’t think I was interested in mosaic, but after this class, I’d definitely consider taking a longer session.

I took an Introductory 3 hour workshop through Groupon and the time flew by and I walked away with a single tile project (the other option was a 4×6 on wood photo frame). I recommend using the bright ceramic tiles and larger shapes for a first project. I didn’t and chipping curves was slow-​going with the wheeled nipper plus that didn’t allow me any practice with the scoring cutter. The class shared space with other artists who were on long-​term projects or classes, but it wasn’t disruptive. We had a mini quick tour at the beginning and it’s worth a visit just to look around and see what’s up. I also think it’d be beneficial to see all the different glass and tile options plus a photo gallery in a binder of students’ first attempts. Some were magnificant! Parking is difficult as is finding the place because the surrounding streets are one-​ways, Cuyler ends (forget Ravenswood, try Damen/​Wolcott), and there’s no turnaround circle at the dead-​end when you discover the 6 spots in front of the place are taken as are all the other spaces. But after you’ve taken a workshop, you’ll be eager to continue. The staff and instructors are enthusiastic and enjoy sharing their knowledge and joy about mosaics.

Two hotties dressed in leather proudly strode in here for a show opening of an international mosaic artist exhibiting in the gallery space. The show was fantastic, the art amazing.
This is a real, working school for working artists. It’s also for beginners or hobbyists. There are seminars and all sorts of international mosaic creative types in attendance for workshops. A full schedule of classes for absolute art beginners to super advanced — even architectural installations. There’s a lot going on!
I spent a good amount of time chatting with a woman, a student, who comes all the way down from Pulaski, WI to attend classes here. This joint inspires some dedication! And her work was really, really cool.
The space itself is fabulous. Casual and unpretentious. In addition to the gallery, student art is on display during openings, laid out on tables. The bathrooms. .. full of mosaics! Coolest bathrooms I’ve seen in a long time! The kitchen — all mosaic’d out! There’s a giant work room, gallery space, a cozy library and a well organized storage area. Well laid out.
The crowd here was fantastic. Bunch of friendly, art loving people drinking wine and dishing. Cute kid giggling and whipping paper airplanes all over the room. .. ooppss!
I’ve got to get off my lazy art ass and take a class or two here. Otherwise, why the hell did I get that art degree? I call myself a creative? Sheeeeeeiiiiiiit! You not nuffin’! There is that table languishing on my back porch, and summer deck season is about to start. .. sure would look cool with a mosaic top. I can learn how to do that here.

I love this place! I took the intro class and the teacher was great, and they have a huuge workspace with a variety of tesserae to choose from. We are very lucky to have a school like this in Chicago, it is very unique!

The only Mosaic School in North America! It is a great place. I was there just visiting and I was put to work on a huge sculpture of the Chicago Skyline. I learned how to smash tile with Thor’s Hammer! I like to smash things. The staff are wonderful and the founder is amazingly talented.

Why it is that when I think about this place, I can’t shake off that song from my mind: «Pieces of me»? Maybe because I felt right at home in this wonderful artist studio space. I mean, they have so many neatly organized tiny pieces of colored material scattered all over the place that I felt I could relate (with the scattering, of course, not the well-​organized part).
The Chicago Mosaic school really is an amazing place! First, as you go up the stairs and enter through their gallery section, you get to see a selection of some surprising, artsy, abstract, kitsch creations. If you’re coming for a workshop, it’s a good starting point for inspiration. I went there to do a one-​day mosaic basics class (a brilliant gift from a friend) and I would recommend this to anyone!
So now you move to the actual studio and you go grab a hot cup of Joe’s in their mosaic-​covered kitchenette. The design were created by students of the school. (Oh, and if you need to go ‘sit on the throne’, you can definitely feast your eyes there too!)
The instructor, Staci, was very knowledgeable in introducing us to the lingo of the craft: the tools, the glues, the grub, etc. She took us through the first steps and then set us loose in the shop to gather our pieces to glue on a selection of supports (photo frame, Christmas ornament, glass votive holder…). The fun part with mosaic is that it brings out your inner child spirit. What is more fun than cutting, clipping, gluing and getting your
hands covered with gunk. Yeah, it can get a little messy if you have two left hands!
Three hour go by really fast when you’re having fun. Staci didn’t push us out or anything. In fact, she was incredibly easy-​going, but unfortunately, I had to leave right at noon. She let me take some glue, a ziploc bag full of little pieces and another one with grub (+ instructions) so I could finish my photo frame at home. I just thought that was very nice and it sums up pretty well the atmosphere of the place: they just want to spread the love of mosaic making.
The cool thing for those who are interested in exploring this craft is that there is a supply shop right next door (
), and taking a class gives you a coupon toward your first purchase.

My mom attends this school and i have been to a couple classes with her. They recently moved to a much bigger location. The place is clean and the people are great. The woman who runs it is an amazing artist with great ideas who i know personally has taught my mom many new things about mosaics. The students are friendly and always helping each other out. There is a nice gallery there where different works are shown off. If you want to learn how to mosaic this is the place for you.