Picassiette Mosaic
Giving New Life to Ceramics through
Colour, Texture & Story
with
Solange & Alexandre Piffer
7 Day Retreat in Ireland
17th to 24th September 2027
Discover the wonderfully expressive world of picassiette mosaic with Brazilian mosaic artists Solange and Alexandre Piffer.
In this immersive workshop, you’ll explore their distinctive approach to mosaic, transforming fragments of tableware, ceramics, plates and treasured objects into richly textured works filled with colour, movement and personality.
Over five days of creative studio time, Solange and Alexandre will share the techniques, methods and discoveries they have developed through more than 25 years of working with mosaic.
This is an opportunity to slow down, experiment and immerse yourself in the creative process while surrounded by the extraordinary landscape of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
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What to expect
Working in Solange and Alexandre’s signature style, you will explore the art of picassiette, a mosaic technique that gives new life to broken or discarded ceramics and tableware.
Rather than seeing a broken plate or ceramic fragment as something to throw away, Solange and Alexandre see possibility: colour, pattern, texture and a new story waiting to emerge.
Throughout the workshop, they will demonstrate their approach to selecting and preparing imagery, understanding tonal values and composition, and cutting, shaping and combining different ceramic materials.
You’ll learn how seemingly ordinary fragments can be carefully brought together to create expressive and highly individual works of art.
Each participant will receive individual guidance throughout the workshop, allowing you to develop your project at your own pace while benefiting from Solange and Alexandre’s extensive experience.
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What you will learn
During the workshop, Solange and Alexandre will guide you through the complete creative process, including:
Understanding the principles of picassiette mosaic
Choosing and preparing a suitable reference image
Exploring composition and tonal values
Selecting ceramics, tableware and other materials
Cutting and shaping ceramic pieces using wheeled nippers
Smoothing and preparing edges
Combining colour, pattern and texture
Creating movement and visual interest within your mosaic
Developing your own individual approach to the design
Grouting and finishing your completed work
Understanding the final steps needed to bring your mosaic together
Most importantly, you’ll be encouraged to experiment, make your own creative decisions and discover the possibilities hidden within the materials.
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What you will make
Over the five days, you will develop your own individual picassiette mosaic artwork under the guidance of Solange and Alexandre.
Materials will be provided, but we strongly encourage you to bring some meaningful ceramic pieces of your own — perhaps a favourite plate, a broken cup, a piece of patterned tableware or another small ceramic treasure.
These personal fragments can become some of the most memorable elements within a finished mosaic, allowing your work to carry its own story and meaning.
After registering, you will receive guidance on choosing a suitable reference image together with a list of optional tools and materials you may wish to bring.
About Solange & Alexandre Piffer
Based in Pompeia, São Paulo, Brazil, Solange and Alexandre Piffer began their mosaic journey in 1999 and describe themselves as independent researchers, continually experimenting, learning and developing their craft.
Their first mosaic began with a simple desire to bring permanent colour to their garden.
Living in a region where the dry season lasts for months and flowers disappear from the landscape, Solange wanted flowers in her pots — even if those flowers had to be made from mosaic.
That simple idea began a creative journey that has continued for more than 25 years.
Living far from major urban centres also encouraged Solange and Alexandre to embrace recycling and reuse. Broken plates, discarded tableware and ceramic shards became not waste, but creative material.
Today, their speciality is picassiette mosaic, in which fragments of plates and ceramics are carefully cut, shaped and smoothed before being transformed into colourful, expressive artworks.
Their work is driven by curiosity and experimentation. Each new project presents another creative and technical challenge — an idea may take shape quickly in the imagination, but finding the practical solution to bring that idea to life is all part of the process.
For Solange and Alexandre, this continual learning has created a wonderful sense of artistic freedom: the freedom to make what they love, in the way they want, using the materials that inspire them.
And teaching has become an equally important part of that journey.
For them, one of the greatest rewards is seeing the excitement and pride on a student’s face as their own mosaic begins to emerge.
From Brazil to the Wild Atlantic Way
For this special retreat, Solange and Alexandre bring the colour and creativity of their Brazilian mosaic practice to the rugged landscape of Ireland’s west coast. Set at Mulranny Arts overlooking beautiful Clew Bay, the retreat combines focused studio time with the opportunity to experience the landscape, culture and hospitality of the west of Ireland.
Between workshop sessions, there will be time to step away from the studio, explore the surrounding landscape and enjoy the company of fellow makers. It is a week to create, learn, share ideas and perhaps begin looking at the everyday objects around you in an entirely new way.
Full Day Tour
The full day tour will include a guided tour of Achill Island, following the Wild Atlantic Way route. Achill boasts the highest sea cliffs in Western Europe, iconic beaches, soaring mountains, peaceful lakes and ancient boglands, all under the vast Atlantic skies. You'll also discover intriguing historical sites along the way, with a delicious lunch at the BeeHive Restaurant.
Half Day Tour
The half day tour will include a visit to Burrishoole Abbey, Graine Uaile’s Castle - the Pirate Queen of Ireland’s West Coast, Furnace Lake, the Old Irish Goat Visitor Center in Mulranny and a trip to the bustling market town of Westport. Here, you'll have time to explore and do some shopping and on your way home you will stop off at Nevins Newfield Inn, a local Irish pub for dinner.
Your home for the week
She have a mix of private en-suite rooms and bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Our cosy multipurpose relaxation/dining room overlooks beautiful Clew Bay. You can enjoy gourmet meals prepared by our in-house chef and have access to our communal kitchen for those essential cups of tea and midnight snacks!
Picassiette Mosaic
with Solange & Alexandre Piffer
7 Day Retreat in Ireland
17th to 24th September 2027
€3,300
Ensuite Room
€2,895
Private Room Shared Bathroom
What’s included in your Retreat:
4.5 days of expert workshop instruction
7 nights Bed & Breakfast adjacent to the studio
Selected tools/supplies - details and list of what to bring provided closer to the retreat.
5 Lunches and 5 Dinners - Students will cover the cost of their own lunch on one tour day and pay for their own dinners at local restaurants on two occasions.
If Students do not have their own transportation, Mulranny Arts will supply a complementary shuttle service from Westport to the Mulranny Arts Campus (Students must make their own way via Train or Bus to Westport where a pick up point and time will be arranged)
All tour & excursion fees
New friends and wonderful new memories!
Travelling from North America - View our general transport and accommodation guidelines here
Travelling from UK or Europe - View our transport and accommodation guidelines here
Ready to Reserve your Spot?
We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance that covers both your journey to Ireland and your workshop fees in the event of cancellation.
Please read our Cancellation Policy here!
Please note that this policy applies without exception
Places are limited.