Anti-Sexual Violence Advocacy and Community Art: A Mosaic Workshop with Artist Dianne Sonnenberg

When: Friday March 21, 2025 (Noon to 4 pm) & March 22, 2025 (10 am to 4 pm)
Where: The Arts Center of Brazos Valley, 4180 Texas 6 Frontage Rd, College Station, Texas 77845

Participation is free and open to TAMU students, and the BCS community.

Lunch, light snacks, and beverages will be provided both days.

Through mosaic, an art form in which broken pieces of various materials are arranged to create an artistic design, participants in this community art workshop will symbolically and literally “put the pieces together” to create something aesthetic from something broken.
The process of creating a mosaic is meditative and satisfying, and will engage participants’ minds, hands, emotions, and spirit. It invites participants to tap into their individual and collective creativity. Mosaic art lends itself to both beginner and more experienced art practitioners and is unique in its multi-dimensional and luminescent qualities.

This workshop is part of a larger research project by Drs. Chaitanya Lakkimsetti and Vanita Reddy (Texas A&M University) called “Aesthetic Justice.’” This project investigates the role of art in advancing social justice, particularly in addressing gender-based violence. By partnering with The Arts Center of Brazos Valley and Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), this workshop will invite participants who advocate against sexual violence to participate in a two-day mosaic workshop. Participants will create a framed 10” square mosaic focusing on healing, courage, strength, support, or empowerment. Ms. Dianne Sonnenberg, an Austin-based, award-winning mosaic artist, will lead participants in design exercises and prompts on the first day and then supervise participants in the execution of their designs on the second day.

All materials, supplies and tools will be provided, including a variety of glass tiles, stained glass, and assorted mixed media. Participants are welcome to bring special items to use in their artwork such as mementos, jewelry, stones, crystals, or small glass or ceramic items.
After the workshop concludes, participants may choose to show their finished mosaic art as part of a traveling exhibit focused on generating awareness about sexual violence and the power of art in healing communities.

Artist Bio:
Dianne Sonnenberg is an internationally acclaimed indigenous artist born in Toronto, Canada.  Based in Austin, Texas since 1992, she creates sculptural and mosaic art for public and private clients worldwide. Among her many accomplishments, she was awarded “Best Architectural Mosaic” at the 2010 Mosaic Arts International Exhibition in Chicago, IL, and is sponsored by Austin Creative Alliance. Dianne has successfully coordinated many community projects, and has a kind, encouraging teaching style. She is a sought-after instructor across North America for new and advanced
students of all ages.

DianneSonnenberg.com
Instagram: @diannesonnenberg
Facebook: Dianne Sonnenberg Mosaics

Register Now