americanmosaics.org

The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) accepts support through two clearly labeled paths on its website: a Donate link and a Ways to Donate page. Both appear in the site's main navigation, alongside Join/Renew, Membership, and Contact. If you want to give money, start with Ways to Donate; if you want to give time, expertise, or in-kind support, use the Contact page to ask what is currently needed. The site does not publish specific dollar amounts, payment platforms, or whether donations are tax-deductible, so confirm those details directly with SAMA before committing.

What SAMA Says It Uses Support For

The site's navigation and page structure point to the programs that member and donor support funds:

• Exhibitions — including Mosaic Arts International (MAI) and its archive of past years (2025, 2024 in Detroit and Kansas City, 2023 in Buffalo, 2021 virtual, 2019 in Nashville, and earlier).
• Scholarship Program — listed under Membership.
• Publications — Mosaic & Glass Magazine, Groutline archives, exhibition catalogs, Mosaic City Guides, and the Behind the Mosaic podcast.
• Member programming — the Andamento blog, Featured Members, Open Member Gallery, and Members in the News.
• Regional Groups & Mosaic Art Communities and Instructors, Workshops & Schools under Resources.

Because these are the areas the organization publicly presents, they are the most reasonable places to direct a gift if you want your support tied to a specific activity.

Ways to Give

1. Direct donation

Use the Donate link in the main menu. This is the most direct route. The site does not state accepted payment methods or whether one-time and recurring gifts are both possible, so treat the Donate page as the place to find the actual form and options.

2. Read "Ways to Donate" first

The Ways to Donate page exists specifically to explain giving options. Check it before donating if you want to know whether there are named funds, memorial gifts, planned giving, or employer matching. If the page does not answer your question, the Contact page is the next step.

3. Membership as a form of support

Join/Renew and Membership are separate from donating but still fund the organization through dues. The Member Benefits page explains what members receive. If your goal is ongoing support rather than a one-time gift, membership may fit better.

4. Higher-level support: Visionary and Patron Members

The site lists Visionary and Patron Members as a distinct category. This is the closest thing to a published giving tier. The site does not state the contribution level or benefits attached, so ask SAMA directly if you are considering this route.

5. Non-financial support

• Volunteer or contribute content — the Andamento blog publishes "Stories and News from our Members," and Members in the News and Featured Members highlight individual contributions.
• Partner in the Arts / Business Member / Vendor — these categories under Resources and Membership suggest ways for organizations and businesses to support SAMA. Contact SAMA to ask which applies to you.
• Spread the word — sharing exhibitions, the podcast, and publications supports the mission without a payment.

A Practical Sequence

1. Open Ways to Donate and read the options.
2. Decide whether you want a one-time gift, recurring support, or membership.
3. If you want a named or higher-level role, check Visionary and Patron Members and then use Contact.
4. If you want to support a specific program (scholarships, exhibitions, publications), say so when you contact SAMA.
5. Keep a record of your gift for your own files, since the site does not publish receipt or tax information.

Common Sticking Points

• No published amounts or payment details. The site shows that donation paths exist but not what they cost or how payment works. Do not assume any amount is suggested or required.
• Donate vs. Join. These are different actions. Donating does not automatically make you a member, and joining is not the same as a charitable gift.
• Tax status unclear. The site does not state tax-deductibility. If that matters to you, ask before giving.
• Login may be required for some actions. A Login link appears in the navigation, but the site does not specify which actions need an account. If a form asks you to log in, that is expected rather than an error.

The most reliable next step is to visit Ways to Donate, then use Contact for anything the site leaves open.

The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) publishes its exhibition and conference information on americanmosaics.org, organized under two main navigation areas: Exhibitions and Conference. The Exhibitions section covers the current Mosaic Arts International (MAI) show plus a full archive of past exhibitions, while the Conference section covers SAMA's annual gathering. Both are accessible directly from the site's main menu without needing to log in.

Exhibitions: Current Show and Historical Archive

SAMA's flagship exhibition is Mosaic Arts International (MAI), held annually in a different host city. The site separates the current cycle from the archive:

• Mosaic Arts International 2025 — the current exhibition page, listed first under Exhibitions.
• Mosaic Arts International Archive — the entry point for all past editions.

The archive lists individual exhibition pages by year and location, so you can trace the show's history:

Note that the 2023 entry uses the MGAI label (Mosaic Global Arts International) rather than MAI, and the 2021 edition was held virtually — useful context if you are searching for a specific year and the naming looks inconsistent.

There is also a separate Embodied: MAI 2019 Invitational page, which sits alongside the main 2019 exhibition rather than inside the general archive list.

Conference and Live Events

The Conference section is a top-level menu item, listed after Exhibitions. It is the starting point for SAMA's annual conference, which typically runs alongside the MAI exhibition. Related live programming appears under:

• Live Exhibitions — listed under both the Exhibitions and Membership areas.
• The 100 Moments Project — a distinct project page grouped with the exhibition listings.

If you are planning around a specific event, check the Conference page first, then cross-reference the matching MAI year page for venue and city details.

Galleries, Publications, and Other Ways to See Member Work

Beyond juried exhibitions, SAMA hosts ongoing galleries and publications that feature member mosaics:

• Professional Member Gallery and Open Member Gallery — browseable collections of member work.
• Mosaic & Glass Magazine — SAMA's publication, listed under Publications.
• Groutline Archives — back issues of the organization's newsletter.
• Print – Exhibition Catalogs and Mosaic City Guides — printed catalogs tied to past exhibitions, plus city guides.
• Podcast – Behind the Mosaic — audio content connected to the exhibition and member community.
• Andamento Blog — "Stories and News from our Members," with recent posts covering topics like SAMA Board of Trustees outreach to Puerto Rico, Featured Members, Collector's Corner, Members in the News, and Mosaic Travel.

How to Navigate Quickly

The site repeats its full menu in more than one place, so the fastest routes are:

1. For the current exhibition: go straight to Exhibitions → Mosaic Arts International 2025.
2. For a past exhibition: use Exhibitions → Mosaic Arts International Archive, then pick the year.
3. For the annual conference: use the top-level Conference menu item.
4. For member galleries: look under Membership or the Open Member Gallery link.
5. For news and member stories: go to Blog → Andamento.

A Login link appears in the navigation, which suggests some content or member functions may sit behind an account. The public exhibition, conference, gallery, and blog pages described above are listed as open navigation items, so you can reach them without signing in.

Joining the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) gives mosaic artists and enthusiasts access to exhibition opportunities, publications, a professional network, and educational resources. The main benefits include eligibility for member galleries, participation in SAMA exhibitions and conferences, a scholarship program, publications like Mosaic & Glass Magazine, and connections to regional groups, instructors, and workshops. Whether it's worth joining depends on whether you want juried exhibition exposure, ongoing learning, and a community of mosaic professionals.

Exhibition and Gallery Opportunities

SAMA runs Mosaic Arts International (MAI), its flagship annual exhibition, with a documented history of host cities including Detroit and Kansas City (2024), Buffalo (2023), Nashville (2019), Boston (2018), Detroit (2017), San Diego (2016), and Philadelphia (2015), plus a virtual edition in 2021. There is also an archive of past exhibitions and an invitational show (Embodied: MAI 2019).

Members can also be featured in two galleries on the site:

• Professional Member Gallery — for professional-level members
• Open Member Gallery — open to members generally

If your goal is to build a public portfolio and exhibition record, these are the most concrete benefits.

Publications and Content

SAMA produces several publications and media channels:

The Andamento blog is member-focused, so joining also gives you a channel to share your own work and news.

Education, Scholarships, and Networking

SAMA lists a Scholarship Program, a Conference, and a Resources section covering:

• Regional Groups & Mosaic Art Communities
• Instructors, Workshops & Schools
• Partners in the Arts

These are the pathways for skill-building and finding local or traveling instruction. The conference and regional groups are where the in-person networking happens.

Membership Tiers and Recognition

The site distinguishes several membership categories:

• Professional Members (with their own gallery and a Business Member Vendors listing)
• Visionary and Patron Members
• General Membership (Join/Renew)

There are also editorial features like Members in the News, Featured Members, Why I am a SAMA Member, and a Collector's Corner — recognition that comes with being a member.

How to Decide

Join if you want juried exhibition eligibility, a member gallery page, the magazine and blog, and access to the conference and regional network. If you only want to browse mosaic art or read occasional articles, the public site (blog, exhibition archive, member galleries) already covers much of that without membership.

To join, use the Join/Renew link on the site; to support without joining, there is a Donate option. Note that the site also has a Login area, so some member content and features require an account.

americanmosaics.org is the official website of the Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA), a nonprofit organization that describes itself as championing mosaic arts. The site serves as a hub for mosaic artists, educators, collectors, and related professionals, offering member galleries, exhibition archives, publications, a blog, and membership resources.

What SAMA Is

SAMA is a membership-based organization dedicated to the mosaic art form. According to the site, its stated mission is to champion mosaic arts. The organization is led by a Board of Trustees and supported by staff, with a published history and leadership directory available on the site.

Who the Site Serves

The website is built around several audience groups:

• Mosaic artists — through member galleries, featured member profiles, and exhibition opportunities
• Educators and students — via a scholarship program, instructor and workshop listings, and school directories
• Collectors and enthusiasts — through the Collector's Corner, exhibition catalogs, and city guides
• Businesses and vendors — through business member and vendor listings, plus partner organizations

What You Can Find on the Site

Exhibitions

SAMA runs Mosaic Arts International (MAI), an annual juried exhibition. The site maintains an archive of past exhibitions with locations and dates, including:

The 2019 exhibition also included an invitational component titled Embodied. The 100 Moments Project is another recurring initiative listed on the site.

Publications

• Mosaic & Glass Magazine — a partner publication
• Groutline Archives — SAMA's newsletter archive
• Exhibition Catalogs and Mosaic City Guides — print resources
• Behind the Mosaic — a podcast

Blog and News

The Andamento Blog publishes stories and news from members. Recent posts have covered topics such as SAMA Board of Trustees outreach to Puerto Rico, featured members, collector interests, mosaic travel, and international mosaics.

Galleries

Two galleries are available: a Professional Member Gallery and an Open Member Gallery, showcasing work from SAMA's membership.

Resources

The site lists regional groups and mosaic art communities, instructors, workshops and schools, and partners in the arts — useful starting points for anyone looking to connect with the mosaic community locally or find instruction.

Membership

SAMA offers membership tiers including Professional, Business, Visionary, and Patron levels. Member benefits, a scholarship program, and a "Why I am a SAMA Member" section are published on the site. A login area is available for members.

When This Site Is Useful to You

• You want to see juried mosaic art from around the world — start with the MAI exhibition archive and member galleries.
• You are looking for a workshop, instructor, or regional mosaic community — check the Resources section.
• You want to join a professional network or support mosaic arts — review membership levels and donation options.
• You are researching the field — the blog, podcast, and publications provide ongoing coverage of artists, events, and industry news.

The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) offers educational resources through four main channels: a directory of instructors, workshops and schools; its publications (Mosaic & Glass Magazine, Groutline archives, exhibition catalogs, and city guides); the Andamento blog; and a scholarship program. These are the learning-oriented sections of americanmosaics.org, and they are useful whether you are a beginner looking for a class or an experienced artist tracking news and professional development.

Finding Instructors, Workshops, and Schools

The site's Resources section includes a page titled Instructors, Workshops & Schools. This is the starting point for anyone searching for hands-on instruction rather than reading material.

What you can expect from this kind of directory:

• Instructors — mosaic artists who teach, listed so you can contact them directly about lessons or mentoring.
• Workshops — short, focused training sessions, often tied to a specific technique or material.
• Schools — institutions and programs where mosaic study is part of the curriculum.

A practical way to use it: decide first whether you want a one-off workshop (good for trying a technique) or ongoing instruction (better for building skills over time), then browse the matching category. Because listings depend on members and partners maintaining their own information, confirm dates, locations, and fees directly with the instructor or school before committing.

The same Resources area also points to Regional Groups & Mosaic Art Communities, which is where local or regional learning often happens outside a formal classroom.

Publications You Can Learn From

SAMA's publications serve both as reference material and as a way to see how other artists work.

The Groutline Archives are especially useful if you want older material that may no longer be covered elsewhere. Exhibition catalogs and city guides work differently from a how-to article: they show you resolved work and where to find it, which supports visual learning and self-study.

The Andamento Blog

SAMA's blog, Andamento: Stories and News from our Members, publishes member stories and organizational news. Recent items include posts such as "SAMA Board of Trustees Outreach to Puerto Rico."

For a learner, the blog is less a step-by-step tutorial source and more a way to:

• See what other members are making and where they are working.
• Follow SAMA news, including outreach and community projects.
• Find leads on people, places, and events worth investigating further.

If you are deciding whether SAMA is worth your attention, reading a few Andamento posts is a low-commitment way to judge the tone and scope of the community.

Scholarship Program

SAMA lists a Scholarship Program under Membership. This is the site's stated mechanism for supporting art learning and career development. If cost is the obstacle to taking a workshop or attending a conference, this is the section to check first.

Details such as eligibility, deadlines, and award amounts are not specified in the material available here, so treat the scholarship page itself as the authoritative source and read the current requirements before applying.

How These Pieces Fit Together

A reasonable path through SAMA's educational offerings:

1. Start with Instructors, Workshops & Schools if you want direct teaching.
2. Use the publications (magazine, Groutline archives, catalogs, city guides) for self-directed study and reference.
3. Read Andamento to stay connected to member activity and news.
4. Check the Scholarship Program if funding is a barrier.
5. Look at Regional Groups if you learn better in a local community.

What to Verify Before You Rely on It

• Listing accuracy — instructor, workshop, and school entries are directory-style; confirm current details with the provider.
• Membership requirements — some resources sit under Membership, so check whether access depends on joining.
• Scholarship specifics — eligibility and timing are not covered in the available material; go to the scholarship page.
• Exhibition and conference dates — these change yearly (for example, Mosaic Arts International 2025 and the archived MAI years), so use the current exhibition pages rather than older references.

SAMA's educational value comes from combining a teaching directory, a publications archive, member storytelling, and financial support in one place. Which part matters most depends on whether you are looking for a class, a reference library, or a way into the broader mosaic community.