The Art of Turkish Ceramic Design: Explore, Draw & Create 1W27
Age Group:
Adults
Step into the rich decorative world of Turkish art in this hands-on introduction to traditional motifs and time-honored techniques. Explore Ottoman history and the dazzling floral patterns found in mosques and palaces as you learn to draw these classic designs.
Working with ceramic tiles and vivid underglaze paints, you’ll use traditional methods to draw individual motifs and then transfer them onto tiles. You will explore composition and color as you arrange and apply your designs to create a set of four tiles in the classical Ottoman style. Finished pieces will be kiln-fired by the instructor and ready for pickup at the Eliot School three days after the class ends.
If you love swirling florals, intricate patterns, and dazzling hues, this course offers a chance to slow down, look closely, and experience a centuries-old decorative tradition through your own hands. No prior drawing or ceramics experience is required.
MAKE UP 3/15/27
Emilie Osman
Emilie Osman has been studying, teaching, and making Turkish tiles (Çini) for the past five years. Her interest in this art form was sparked during her first visit to Istanbul in 2013 and grew into a passion when she later moved from Boston to Turkey in 2018. Emilie was trained in a tile workshop in Yalova, Turkey and, after moving back to Boston in 2023, has continued her study of tile design online with the Turkish Academy of Traditional Arts. Emilie has an array of teaching experience, from leading art groups for refugee women in Turkey to teaching history in a Boston high school, and she is passionate about using art and education to build cultural bridges.
In her own practice, Emilie is interested in the interplay between the preservation of traditional art forms and the innovation and personal voice of the modern artist. She has worked both on tile and on paper and enjoys creating her own designs as well as making replicas of traditional designs. When she is not making tile art, Emilie paints scenes from her neighborhood and enjoys sharing them with the local community. Prints of her artwork can be found in small businesses and homes around the city. Emilie lives in Roslindale, MA with her husband and three young children.
Instagram pages:
Turkish art: @emilieosmancini
Boston art: @roslindoodles
Materials to bring to class:
All materials are provided for the class. Just show up, explore, draw, and create!