Sonia has been selected as a 2017 Distinguished Artist by the James Renwick Alliance in Washington DC.
The James Renwick Alliance’s annual Distinguished Artist Series brings notable artists from around the country to provide insight into their medium. The weekend includes a Saturday workshop and free Sunday public lecture at which the artists will discuss their technique, background, artistic influences, and careers.
The main event is a lecture on Sunday, November 19th. It will be from 2 to 3pm
at the American University Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC and is free and open to the public.
‘One Tessera at a Time‘
A mosaic, whether abstract or figurative, opens a creative dialogue between the artist and the viewer. A dialogue guided by the interplay of color, light and texture, the manipulation of scale, the discovery of the unknown potential of natural materials, the mastery of technique and the artist’s patient dedication to the process of picking up one tessera, placing it and choosing the piece that goes next to it.
Creating a career in the arts requires focus, tenacity and vision. Sonia King will share her life in mosaic, developed through a process of personal, artistic and historical exploration. Follow the journey as she develops her artistic voice, see the creation of the intuitive mosaic process, the installation of large-scale public art projects and the work that comprises an original and unique voice in the art of mosaic. Beginning with the hope of making a living in mosaic, Sonia’s story culminates with the inclusion of her mosaic, Depthfinder, in the permanent collection of the Museo d’Arte in Ravenna, Italy.
Class
On Saturday, there will be a class where Sonia will discuss both the aesthetic and practical side of mosaic art. ‘A Historical Perspective on a Contemporary Art’ will look at mosaics around the world from ancient to modern. Then she’ll take us inside the creation of a major public art project from conception to installation. This will be followed by a demonstration of cutting techniques, both ancient and modern. The morning begins with a brief meet-and-greet with the artist over coffee and pastries. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to attend a potluck dinner with the artist on Saturday evening. Space may be limited.
Saturday, November 18, 9:30am to 12:00pm
at Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo MD
$50 JRA members $60 non-members Register at jra.org
