This year, Coverings is excited to feature a couple of unique programs that showcase tile as a medium for creative design.

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) will exhibit tiled benches designed by their students, and the Chicago Mosaic School will provide interactive educational classes.

Over the course of a three-week program, SAIC students studying Architecture, Interior Architecture and Fine Arts, will learn about the process of selecting tile materials, creating construction/installation drawings, and installing the product to perform optimally. During the course, the National Tile Contractors Association will provide instruction on installation techniques, methods, and standards. Teams of students will then collaborate to create benches that incorporate tile and stone as the primary construction material.

You can check out the final products at Coverings 2016, where the benches will be on display for attendees to view. The benches will be up for critique by a panel of judges, who will be looking at overall design and installation. Stop by the ceremony on Monday, April 18th at 4:30pm to see this up-and-coming talent!

Workshops with the Chicago Mosaic School
Through the partnership with the Chicago Mosaic School, Coverings attendees will have an opportunity to interact with tile as a creative medium during workshops at the show.

During these sessions, Chicago Mosaic School instructors will educate attendees on how the different tools and materials can create various mosaic effects, while the interactive workshops will provide hands-on introductions to materials best suited to mosaic applications.

Two workshops and two demonstrations will be held each day from April 18 to 20, with limited capacity for each session. Advanced registration for the workshops and demonstrations is required and can be completed during general show registration.

Hope to see you there!