On the concrete walkway next to the River Walk, just below Main Plaza and San Fernando Cathedral, sits a vibrant yellow compass rose that marks the centermost point of the city.

The mosaic tile is, quite literally, at the heart of San Antonio. Commissioned by the San Antonio River Foundation, the $50,000 art installation is one of several public works done by talented teenagers with a knack for the arts.

The amateur artists are part of Blue Star Contemporary Art Museums MOSAIC program, a free and selective after-school program for high school students with an artistic gift. The program blends mentorship with real-world application and allows students to design public art projects, coordinate exhibitions of their work, prepare portfolios for gallery proposals, and gain teaching experience by leading community workshops and hands-on activities.

Our mission is to inspire creative genius, and (with MOSAIC) theres so many avenues where you can do that and pursue that, said Elizabeth Lyons, public affairs and engagement manager at Blue Star Contemporary Art Museum.

MOSAIC, an acronym for Mosaic of Student Artists in Community, is led by artist-in-residence Alex Rubio, a renowned muralist who mentors students after school five days a week from a cozy studio in the Blue Star Arts Complex. Rubio taps into lower-income school districts with below-average graduation rates to recruit talented artists who have few opportunities to build their portfolios without the support of a nonprofit organization.

To me, there are creative communities everywhere. My mission is to identify the emerging, undiscovered talent in these communities, Rubio said. This program offers students inspiration and discipline to where they can graduate with an impressive portfolio and have an opportunity to apply for scholarships.

Despite the odds, all of the programs alumni have gone on to graduate from high school, and several are pursuing art degrees at prestigious schools such as Connecticut College and the Art Institute of Chicago.

This years class of 15 students is building their portfolios through an intensive study of new media, including printmaking, ceramics, drawing and painting. The artists also sell some of their work through exhibitions and learn how to build both frames and canvases to ensure their work is properly installed.

Their current project is a large-scale public art piece commissioned for HemisFair Park as part of the citys downtown redevelopment efforts. Rubio said the mural an abstract painting of curvy and linear designs in blue and green hues thats 40 feet wide and 9 feet high will be unveiled this spring.

The student-artists are responsible for the full life cycle of the mosaic project, from the initial concept and research to design and implementation.

Originally posted here:
MOSAIC brings creativity, art to public spaces

Future pop stars at Tile Hill Wood School and Language College can now create their own album in the schools newly refurbished recording studio.

Singers and musicians are taking advantage of the exciting facility to create professional standard recordings and showcase their talent.

The studio is also a useful tool for music and music technology students to learn from and complete coursework.

It boasts a soundproof control booth, acoustic-proofed live room, top level compressors and digital desk using industry standard Mac software.

Chris Powell, subject leader for music, said: Its a brilliant new asset for all of our pupils, and it has given them motivation to record their work. Since it was opened last week, it has already proved extremely popular, with students lining up to use it.

The revamped recording studio.

The rest is here:
Pupils can become pop stars at Tile Hill Wood School

Ceramic Tile work Engineering Work Civil Engineer
ceramic engineering work civil engineer.

By: Kurd Engineer

See the original post here:
Ceramic Tile work Engineering Work Civil Engineer - Video

It may be one of the smallest elements in a kitchen or bath design, but grout can make a big difference in the overall appearance of the space. Grout really tops off your installation, said Joshua Levinson, president of Artistic Tile wholesale. In a lot of respects, its a great equalizer, covering up imperfections and inconsistencies. When joints are filled and packed properly with grout, it can even out lippage and variations in the height of materials.

So how can you make grout do its best work? Follow Levinsons advice for grout selection and installation and your tile projects will reach perfection.

1. Choose the right type of grout. Grouts typically are cement-based products and are available as sanded or unsanded, said Levinson. Sanded grout is specified for joint sizes of 1/8 inch or more, while non-sanded grout is best for joints of less than 1/8 inch. Sand is there to provide additional body to the grout in a large joint to prevent shrinking, sagging and cracking, he said.

If the joint size requires sanded grout, pay attention to the possibility of scratching glass or polished stones, warned Levinson. Sand is quartz- and silica-based and often higher on the Mohs Scale than many limestones and marbles, so scratching is a consideration in design and installation, he said. The joint size between surfaces that could be scratched should be designed to be less than 1/8 inch so unsanded grout may be used.

While historically grout would be mixed on site, adding in the amount of sand and color needed, today, grout is usually supplied in pre-mixed bags. Latex additives can be mixed in with the grout to reduce absorbency, thereby increasing stain resistance and improving color retention. Some grout manufacturers include latex additives in their pre-mixed grout, while others require they be added separately. Some manufacturers also add anti-fungal and mildew-resistance additives. After installation, silicone sealers also can be applied to grout to prevent staining.

Epoxy grout is an alternative to cement. Made with epoxy resins and a hardener mixed just prior to installation, this waterless grout is extremely stain and mildew resistant and does not require additional sealers. While epoxy grouts can be more difficult to work with, harsh when contacting the skin and harder to clean up, recent improvements have addressed these issues. Epoxy grouts have certain limitations, typically including the inability to be used with glass tile, as they restrict movement to a large degree, said Levinson. Epoxy grouts are typically chosen when stain resistance is desired.

The newest option is StarQuartz urethane grout, which is touted as having the benefits of epoxy with an installation as easy as cement. It is more stain resistant and requires no sealer, said Levinson. Until the most recent formulation, StarQuartz had challenges in wet installations.

Grout-free installation is only an option with products that have a very tight joint in dry areas, such as a mosaic fireplace. I dont recommend it in wet areas, said Levinson. Without the grout, the joint is just opening to the substrate.

Grout color selection is also important in terms of its longevity. A white-colored grout in a high-traffic area, ultimately its going to stain and be dirty, said Levinson. Even if you clean it right, it will darken. Therefore it might be best to choose a darker cementitious grout, or an epoxy or urethane grout, that will stay truer to its color over time.

While each manufacturer offers its own palette of colors, custom color selection is not yet an option. You could mix two grouts for a custom color for a certain effect, he said, but make sure its mixed properly and that you mix enough for the whole batch. You dont want the color to vary. Even when using one color grout, Levinson suggested getting enough of one lot to do the entire job to avoid color variations.

See more here:
5 Steps to Grout Greatness

Provided by Networx.com

Do you think that porcelain and ceramic tile are essentially the same? Well, you may be surprised to find that they are not. Although both are manufactured of similar ingredients using similar processes, there are some important differences. Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each of these tile types so that you can choose the kind that offers the right price, durability, and good looks for your tiling project.

What is the difference?

The difference is in the details. Ceramic tile is manufactured from red or white clay mixed with water and minerals, then baked in a type of kiln. It is nearly always finished with a glaze to reduce its natural porosity. Porcelain tile is made from light-colored clays with a fine grain (this gives it a dense body), quartz, feldspar, and a minimal amount of water, is pressed or extruded before being fired at substantially higher temperatures than regular ceramic. It is sold in both glazed and unglazed versions. The Porcelain Tile Certification Agency (PTCA) will certify tile as true porcelain if it passes their rigorous testing.

Advantages of Porcelain Tile

+ Beauty + Long life + Crack and stain resistance + Durability -- perfect for any use, from decorative wall tiles to rugged heavy-traffic flooring + High Porcelain Enamel Institute (PEI) ratings for hardness and durability + Low water absorption (less than 0.5 percent) + Usability for outdoor features + Frost resistance + Superior strength that allows it to be formed into a huge range of sizes + Ability to be rectified -- that is, cut precisely to size so that all tiles are uniform and grout lines are minimized

Disadvantages of Porcelain Tile

- Cost of porcelain tile - Necessity for professional installation due to its brittleness, which requires special tools and cutting methods to work with - Heavy weight, making it more difficult to transport - Sealing required for polished porcelain tile

Advantages of Ceramic Tile

+ Cost of ceramic tile, which is considerably less expensive than porcelain tile + Easy cutting and installation + Light weight

More here:
Porcelain or ceramic tile -- which is for you?

Tile pieces joins San Clemente's colorful mosaic of public art

Brian Morales, and Layla Morales, 4, look at the new tile art piece on Del Mar of the Hanson Beach Club. Layla Morales is the granddaughter of one of the artists, Michael King. ///ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 1121.spn.TILEMURALS 11/14/14 NICK AGRO, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER At 4 p.m. Friday, dignitaries unveil the fourth in a series of tile murals at bench seating areas along Avenida Del Mar. The SC Historical Society, Downtown Business Association and city partner in the project. Each site actually has two tile murals, a floor mural and a wall mural depicting some historic sites around town. This new one featues the Ole Hanson Beach Club and an elegant blufftop home that no long exists (known as the Bartow home). We can also get fresh art of the other murals along the block (they are easy to find, just up teh street from this one, on both sides of the street at bulb-outs). This will be the Sun Post centerpiece for next Friday and should be colorful and catchy. We have file art of other murals around town, but if you'd like to shoot fresh art, I can suggest several sites One is a tile mural at the entrance to the pier that Paul Bersebach shot in 2001. Another is a tile mural at the Mariposa beach access along the Beach Trail (I think Paul shot that one too). There is a beautiful tile bench along the beach trail just north of the access to Riviera Beach. There are some nice non-tile murals around town including one in the parking lot behind Starbucks (300 S. El Camino Real) and one on an alley behind 1502 N. El Camino Real. We do have file art of most of these, but if you'd like to get fresh, that's fine too. .

NICK AGRO , STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

"We're looking at (art) guidelines right now, but because we have been so lucky to get so much art in just letting the community express itself with such great quality pieces, there just isn't any direction to pursue (an ordinance) right now.

"We just did a study session at the Planning Commission that showed that when you have high vandalism graffiti that drops by 98 percent, nationwide, once you put a mural up.

"The City Council waived the fee a couple of years back in order to encourage murals in the community. There is still a discretionary review process, but it's pretty minor."

Source: Amber Gregg, city of San Clemente

Michael Kaupp of the Downtown Business Association and Mike Cotter of the San Clemente Historical Society are the visionaries behind "Landmarks on Del Mar."

The artwork is done by Jay Fisher and translated into tiles by Michael King. Both artists, Cotter said, are world-famous in their fields. They met while working on a hotel for Steve Wynne.

King said he takes special care to create tiles and scenes that look like they are from an earlier time.

More:
Tile pieces joins San Clemente's colorful mosaic of public art

Perth's Bell Tower - state icon or giant satanic phallus? Photo: Jessica Hromas

Is there satanic symbolism hidden in the Perth Bell Tower? Are there swastikas woven in the tile work at the Peninsula Hotel in Maylands? Is Perth's best-known cycling "hobo" actually super rich?

According to local mythbuster David Bell, the answers are "no", "no" and "yet to be determined".

The West Perth journalisthas set up a podcast named True Perth Tales, to unravel the hidden secrets of Perth and tell the yarns of some of the more bizarre and interesting characters that dwell in our town.

In a recent Halloween episode, the 28-year-old tried to get to the bottom of one of Perth's weirdest spooky tales: the reputed satanic links of the Bell Tower.

Advertisement

"It's all in the numerology I'm told, plus the sexual symbolism of the tower and black swans, which are also linked to demonic rituals," he laughed.

"The combination of factors was so ridiculous that the myth didn't need debunking."

Mr Bell said the zany myth of swastikas in the old foyer of the Peninsula Hotel was just as easy to debunk.

"I spent about 12 seconds Googling around before, I found it was complete bullshit," he said.

See the original post:
Perth's tower...of Satan?

Perth's Bell Tower - state icon or giant satanic phallus? Photo: Jessica Hromas

Is there satanic symbolism hidden in the Perth Bell Tower? Are there swastikas woven in the tile work at the Peninsula Hotel in Maylands? Is Perth's best-known cycling "hobo" actually super rich?

According to local mythbuster David Bell, the answers are "no", "no" and "yet to be determined".

The West Perth journalisthas set up a podcast named True Perth Tales, to unravel the hidden secrets of Perth and tell the yarns of some of the more bizarre and interesting characters that dwell in our town.

In a recent Halloween episode, the 28-year-old tried to get to the bottom of one of Perth's weirdest spooky tales: the reputed satanic links of the Bell Tower.

Advertisement

"It's all in the numerology I'm told, plus the sexual symbolism of the tower and black swans, which are also linked to demonic rituals," he laughed.

"The combination of factors was so ridiculous that the myth didn't need debunking."

Mr Bell said the zany myth of swastikas in the old foyer of the Peninsula Hotel was just as easy to debunk.

"I spent about 12 seconds Googling around before, I found it was complete bullshit," he said.

Read more:
Tower of Satan? Perth myths busted

By ALICE T. CARTER Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

PITTSBURGH (AP) - When Lynn Epstein and Craig Otto set out to renovate the kitchen in their Bellevue home, they wanted a different look for the tile backsplash behind the stove.

They began by checking out the usual suspects "big-box home-improvement stores, as well as boutiques that sold ceramic tile" without finding what they wanted.

"We saw a lot of gorgeous tiles, but you end up seeing the same things everywhere," Epstein says.

It wasn't until they attended a gallery show of Stevo (Steve) Sadvary's mosaic art that inspiration struck.

"He was experimenting with a different look and we thought, 'Hmmmm, that would transfer nicely,' " Epstein says.

They commissioned Sadvary to create a one-of-a-kind piece tailored to their space and taste.

The idea of commissioning art sounds like an activity for wealthy people or international corporations. It conjures up images of ancestral oil paintings hung over the fireplace or a serious sculpture that's the focal point of a large garden.

Artists are happy to do that.

But they also can be commissioned for smaller or more commonplace projects, such as designing an ornate stair rail, a garden bench or the ceramic tile surround for a shower stall.

More:
Artists take commissions to fund own work

When Lynn Epstein and Craig Otto set out to renovate the kitchen in their Bellevue home, they wanted a different look for the tile backsplash behind the stove.

They began by checking out the usual suspects big-box home-improvement stores, as well as boutiques that sold ceramic tile without finding what they wanted.

We saw a lot of gorgeous tiles, but you end up seeing the same things everywhere, Epstein says.

It wasn't until they attended a gallery show of Stevo (Steve) Sadvary's mosaic art that inspiration struck.

He was experimenting with a different look and we thought, Hmmmm, that would transfer nicely,' Epstein says.

They commissioned Sadvary to create a one-of-a-kind piece tailored to their space and taste.

The idea of commissioning art sounds like an activity for wealthy people or international corporations. It conjures up images of ancestral oil paintings hung over the fireplace or a serious sculpture that's the focal point of a large garden.

Artists are happy to do that.

But they also can be commissioned for smaller or more commonplace projects, such as designing an ornate stair rail, a garden bench or the ceramic tile surround for a shower stall.

A surprising number of local artists at a variety of price levels are happy to take on commissions, says Joy Borelli-Edwards, owner of Borelli-Edwards Gallery in Lawrenceville

Original post:
Many Pittsburgh-area artists take well-paying commissions to fund own work