All Broken Up!

A little while back I tagged along on a class trip to Spilimbergo. By the way, if you have school-aged little ones, class trips are an awesome way to have cheap, tour-guided trips. There will be a translator and you will learn things that you wouldn't likely have otherwise had the opportunity. Plus you get to spend the day with your wonderful kiddos! I tag along whenever I can.

So back to Spilimbergo...it is actually the next "big town" over from Maniago and I go there all the time to hit up Bricofer. But on this trip I got to explore the local mosaic school, Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli. Each town in Italy is known for doing or having something special...Spilimbergo is the town of mosaics. Gorgeous artwork and spectacular artists! Students from all over Italy {and beyond} come here to become masters in the art of mosaic.

You can take classes too! You have to be fluent in Italian and there is a maximum age limit {If I remember correctly, it was 25-ish. I'm too old!}. And pay the hefty fees...but it is an option if mosaic is your calling. They also have short courses that do not end in certification, but are probably better for the hobbyist.


Level 1 classroom

Level 1 classroom



Level 1 work in progress, 'in corso'

 Our guide explained that the courses are extremely competitive. There are levels 1, 2, and 3 courses. She said that many people drop the course after a week or so if they aren't naturally good at it. Either you got it or you don't!

Level 2

Completed level 2 projects. Look like paintings!

Level 2 work in progress

The school itself is covered in mosaic. Floors, walls, signs, stairs. Inside and outside. Mosaic everywhere. The building is used as practice for the students.

When we entered the Level 3 classrooms, there were students working on a large project. The guide said that the school was closed that day but that students often stayed on well into the evening hours and come in on their off-time to complete projects. They really do want to be the best in their field. No riposo for these dedicated artists!

Level 3 students, hard at work

Breaking the tiles

Level 3 work in progress

Level 3 classroom

Don't you want to dive into these colors!

It seems the world is covered with mosaics from this school as well. If you are ever at a monument or special site and see a mosaic, look for "SMF" either in the mosaic itself or on a plaque nearby. If you see it, students from this small school in Spilimbergo created it. The 9/11 memorial in NYC has a mosaic from the school. If you've been and have pictures of it, I'd love to see them!

The mosaic on this wall shows a bit of a memorial to the NYC memorial, as well as some of their other artwork at important sites around the world.

There is a gift shop as well. I was hoping to pick up a couple bits and bobs to send out to our families. Hopes were dashed when I saw there was nothing under 100Euro, and plenty well beyond that. You can also order custom pieces to be created for you.

Items for sale

If you're interested in visiting the school or taking any of the classes, you can contact the school through their site. If you do take any classes, I'd love to hear about them!