Workshops

I have a great passion for facilitating other’s creativity and sense of community, offering a space for people to express themselves through the medium of mosaics.  I have set up mosaic projects here in East London, Upper Clapton, Hackney and in Luxor, in a village on the West Bank both offering workshops to the local communities and others who travel a little further.  I have worked hard to find outlets in Luxor to sell the participants’ work.

“Although my workshops are not intended as art therapy I so often see how therapeutic they can be”

Although my workshops are not intended as art therapy I so often see how therapeutic they can be, as creativity is a significant element for mental and emotional well-being. I offer a space where people can cut off from their everyday lives, immersing themselves in the creative process in a supportive environment.  I’m a member of a choir for refugees and am encouraging members to come to enjoy the process to have the opportunity even for short periods of time to forget the stresses in their lives.  My workshops are very flexible and allow participants to find their own individual form of expression and in the process learning specific mosaicking skills both traditional and contemporary.  My workshop is beautifully light and as a foraging addict I have a huge store of different materials to use mixed media.  Currently the groups are no larger than 6 people at a time to allow for social distancing.  I also offer individual sessions in addition to group workshops. 

In Luxor I have worked hard to find outlets for the participants’ work but currently I am not able to be there so this project is on hold. I also have offered mosaic and cultural holidays accommodating up to 8 people in 4 double bedrooms in a traditional domed house.

Young man holding a mosaic
Young woman with glasses attending a mosaic workshop
Woman working with tools at a mosaic workshop in London

  • ‘I cannot rate Scilla’s workshops highly enough. They are quiet enough to give you the headspace to learn or perfect this lovely craft but also social enough so that you’ll always meet some interesting new people. Her workshop itself is a light, airy Aladdin’s cave of all sorts of lovely mosaic bits – and she’s (thankfully for us) very patient and really knows her stuff, whether it’s how to cut tiles safely (very useful for our kids) or gentle advice on what might improve your work or take it in a different direction. There are lots of Scilla’s inspiring pieces around you as examples and it’s been something our entire family have enjoyed doing and it’s been great for all of us in different ways.’

    – Beth and Family

  • ‘I’ve attended so far three workshops with Scilla. They take place in a beautiful, big room with lots and lots of different, colourful materials to choose from. The atmosphere is cheerful, super relaxed and warm. Scilla keeps a constant eye on the work each one of us do, giving us ideas and inspiration about materials to use, how to use them, showing us different skills, she is a MASTER!!! As the group have different experiences of doing mosaics each one helps each other also. We all bring something to share for lunch and have a nice break together. So happy to have met Scilla and her workshops! Highly recommended!!!’

    – Isabel

  • 'Scilla's workshops are a delight...she has such a vast variety of mosaic pieces to choose from, and also helps people explore found objects as material. She is a warm and encouraging teacher and I found it easy to pick up tips from her about better ways of cutting, gluing and grouting... as well as learning from the collective ingenuity of other students. Around her studio grows a wonderful atmosphere of collective discovery of our creative potential, together with interesting conversations and very tasty pot luck lunches. '

    – Anne

  • ‘Scilla’s workshops are the most wonderful way to spend a day. Somehow I feel I catch up with myself, get my creative juices flowing, and meet with wonderful people at the same time. I’d never done anything like this before, and was pleasantly surprised that Scilla was able to get me started on my first project very quickly. She is a fantastic teacher, makes everyone feel at ease and is great fun too!

    The space is beautiful and inspiring to be in, and there are plenty of materials to choose from. Scilla guides us individually and as a group with seamless grace.’

    – Christina

  • ‘I had not done any mosaic work before attending my first workshop with Scilla. There was plenty of material to choose from and all the support needed to try one’s hand at it. I was surprised at how creative and free the whole experience made me feel. I was free to do anything that came to me but at the same time I got help and encouragement and advice if I needed it. The atmosphere is warm and generous and some participants are more experienced than others, a good thing as this creates different levels of work, a benefit and inspiration for all. For me, this has been a place of discovery and achievement that I would readily recommend to anyone who wants to explore a new facet of themselves.’

    – Regine

  • ‘I didn’t know what to expect when I went to my first workshop. I was welcomed by Scilla and introduced to the basics of making a mosaic. Scilla is an amazing teacher. She introduces each process and let’s my creativity take over! It is so incredible to be surrounded by her beautiful mosaics and to experiment with gloriously coloured shapes. I love being able to incorporate personal pieces and am encouraged by Scilla. She offers gentle advice and is so encouraging. Thank you, Scilla for opening a new world for me.’

    – Kate

  • ‘I’ve had an incredible experience completing my first ever mosaic masterpiece, at Scilla’s Mosaic Art Workshop. Scilla gave me individual tuition and she’s an amazing teacher. She offered great guidance and support, throughout my time completing this Art project successfully. I’m sure anyone wanting to start a mosaic, will benefit from Scilla’s help, feedback and guidance. She’s awesome!’

    – Bilal

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Woman leaning over a table to work on a mosaic at a workshop
An attendee at a workshop held by Scilla Alvarado
Woman holding a blue and yellow mosaic of the fish Christian symbol