Next up in our series of stories from SAMA Members, Volunteers, and Board of Trustees, we have SAMA Advisory Board Member (Former President), Shug Jones, reminiscing over the past 25 years and looking to the future!
From the beginning, SAMA has striven to promote excellence in mosaic art while educating and inspiring artists across the world. Our conferences and exhibitions are second to none and bring workshops, networking, and fostering community among so many artists who are searching for every nugget of knowledge they can find about our shared passion.
With each American Mosaic Summit, artists can attend exciting workshops, attend stimulating presentations, participate in the Mosaic Marathon and Mosaic Art Salon, and encounter intriguing materials and discover new tools from our vendors. The incredible exhibitions, including the Mosaic Arts International and 100+ Moments Project, offer a unique opportunity for artists to submit their work to a juried exhibit and/or an all-inclusive one.
Shug Jones, Next Stop, King’s Cross, 2024, Stained glass, flash glass, glass rods & noodles, sand, epoxy clay, grout
I remember the first conference in Orangeburg, SC in 2001, where we stayed in a small “park outside your door” motel. There were two small exhibitions, a few presentations, and excitement was through the roof! For the first time, mosaic artists had a venue to gather and talk about their love of our chosen art form. I could not get over all the numerous ways that people were using mosaic. It was mind-boggling! So many materials, so many techniques, so many things to see and talk about! And that was only the FIRST conference. I could go on and on about how each conference has evolved into more enriching experiences over the years with even newer and better things to see, learn, and purchase. I’ve been to EVERY conference over the years, and each has been an inspiration for me in furthering my art career. I can never wait to get home and start working! I really don’t think I would have come as far as I have without my connection to SAMA and the innumerable artists associated with it. I met my best friends because of SAMA, and we have formed a group, M4 Collective, that has opened even more opportunities for us to showcase our art.
SAMA’s Host Committee Chair, Cherie Bosela, has arranged fantastic venues for Mosaic Arts International 2025 and the 100 Moments in Mosaic + project. If you’ve never submitted to these exhibitions, now is the time to join SAMA and do so. These are something you want to be a part of.
If you haven’t been to a conference in a while or maybe you’ve never attended, you don’t know what you are missing! See us in Orlando, FL, October 30 – November 1, 2025, for one of the best times in your life! Join us to meet those artists that you have always wanted to meet in person, connect with collectors and curators, make lifelong friends, and realize what you’ve been missing! And what better place to do it than Orlando?
I can’t wait to see you there!
Shug Jones,
SAMA Advisory Board, and Former President
As we continue to celebrate SAMA’s anniversary, we would love to share your story of connection, inspiration, education, revelation, and/or motivation as it relates to SAMA’s role in your creative life, practice, or business. Email: Info@americanmosaics.org and add “My SAMA Story” in the subject line. Add an image or two and we will add to our series here in your inbox and on SAMA’s website.