Award-winning Chicago-based artist and Founder of the Chicago Mosaic Art School Karen Ami adds another achievement to her list of artistic accomplishments

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES, December 1, 2014 /EINPresswire.com/ -- This year was the 10th year of the globally celebrated Prix Picassiette held in Chartres, France. The annual mosaic art exhibition attracts the attention of mosaic fanatics from near and far-but primarily from within European countries. While the art of mosaic is a globally celebrated art form, this year was the first time that an American artist achieved the 1st prize.

Karen Ami is a versatile artist who has exhibited around the world on a consistent basis over the last 30 years. This includes her mosaics, sculpture, and prints. In recent years she has been selected for many shows in France and Italy for her unique approach to contemporary mosaic art.

Ami's 1st place selection at the Prix Picassiette mosaic art exhibition is titled "The Dialogue." 2nd place went to Ariane Blanquet of France for "Moon", and 3rd place went to Delphine Legal Quemener of France for "Pierre De Patience." Special mention went to mosaic artist Dugald Macinnes of Scotland for "Fragile Earth."

"The great array of mosaics exhibited at this year's Prix Picassiette was exciting to experience. The works show how the practice and teaching of learned mosaic masters are fostering a new generation of artists in this medium. The show is a source of inspiration and I am proud to see that this ancient art continues to live on with great respect." -Artist Karen Ami

Ami's works reflect her respect for the ancient process of mosaic, yet her artworks are very modern. Inspired by the black and white Roman mosaics of Ostia and Chicago Imagist painters, her work merges aspects of drawing, ceramics, and sculpture into contemporary mosaic like no one else.

Karen Ami is not only an American mosaic artist, but the Founder of The Chicago Mosaic School in Chicago, Illinois-the first and only art school in North America dedicated solely to advancing education in classical and contemporary Mosaic Art.

Ami's love of mosaic evolved as she began to experiment without instruction or guidance. While a graduate student at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Ami dreamt of a school or studio where classically trained artists that could gain a solid technical training in the traditional methods of mosaic. Ten years ago that kind of education was only available overseas. Unable to move to Italy to achieve the post-graduate art and mosaic education she desired-she found a way to bring mosaic masters stateside to teach, and the Chicago Mosaic Art School was born.

Earlier this year Ami was also honored in Udine, Italy and given the official title of "Gran Cavliere Dell Ordine di San Martino", 2014, for her contribution to mosaic and art education.

To learn more about Chicago-based mosaic artist Karen Ami, the 2014 Prix Picassiette, or The Chicago Mosaic School visit Ami's artist website at artamiba.com or the website of the Chicago Mosaic Art School http://www.chicagomosaicschool.org

Silvana Poole, Ashley Samson
The Chicago Mosaic School
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