Kitah Bet’s Mosaic Table

Much of Kitah Bet’s work in the Atelier this year has been centered around collage and gluing. Following their mosaic menorahs, we decided to create a mosaic table for our Auction piece.

 Morah Jessica sourced a live-edge side table from Facebook Marketplace. The table top is a slice of stump and the legs are made of branches. This piece is perfect for showcasing the children’s strong interest in nature.

In keeping with the nature theme, Morah Jessica offered the children tiles and glass in earth tones, blues, and greens. There were also small wood pieces, clear cabochons, and small mirrors for filler.

During the first session the children were offered some of each type of tile, wood, and glass pieces to arrange on the table top. 

They were immediately drawn to six large diamond-shaped tiles in a sand color. They also discovered a large, white circular tile. Laying the diamonds around the circle, the children recognized a flower-like shape emerging. This became the centerpiece of their design.

At the end of each class their work was adhered to the wood with Weldbond glue.

At first, the children created their own patterns and compositions. Vertical pieces of granite and wood became buildings. Triangular mirrors were arranged to form stars and pyramids. Tiny square tiles formed petals around glass circles.These designs were isolated, but as the weeks progressed, the children worked together to connect them. 

Once The mosaic design was completed. Morah Jessica found a round sheet of glass secondhand. This became the new tabletop. The clear glass provided an unobstructed view of the composition beneath, while protecting the artwork.