Create a Modern Mosaic Surfboard
Big. Bold. Sculptural.
Spend an afternoon transforming an old surfboard into something completely unexpected: a modern mosaic using beautiful natural materials.
No artistic experience is necessary. Just come ready to make something extraordinary. The overall aesthetic is big, bold and intentionally uncluttered. The strongest designs rely on striking composition, sculptural texture, and the beauty of the materials themselves rather than lots of tiny details.
What Will Your Surfboard Look Like?
That's up to you.
Take inspiration from one of the examples shown here, or tell me about your own vision. Before class, we'll work together to turn that vision into a design that's both gorgeous and realistic to complete during our three hours together.
What's Included?
Everything you'll need to make a gorgeous piece is included, except the surfboard itself. (Sourcing info below.)
You'll have access to a generous assortment of materials, including:
Frosted sea glass
Capiz shells
Wood discs
Black slate chips
Lava rock
Oro Verde stone
Decomposed granite
Many shades of hand-torn colored paper
Snacks and drinks (of course!)
Sourcing Your Board Before Class:
After we've finalized your design, you'll need to source and prep your surfboard before class.
Your board should be:
Fiberglass only (no foam boards)
Seven feet long or shorter
Completely stripped of wax
Tail pad removed
Fins removed
Sanded on the front to remove any remaining residue (don't worry about the back)
I'll send detailed prep instructions after you book.
Don't have a surfboard? Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist are full of older fiberglass boards that are perfect for this project. They often sell for around $50–60, and it's often worth making an offer—many sellers are willing to negotiate, and it's not uncommon to find one for around half that amount. (For the record, I found and picked up my prototype board in under an hour, for $25.)
Older boards with cosmetic dings, pressure dents, scratches, and plenty of personality are exactly what we're looking for. Just avoid boards with delamination.
The Fun Part
This is where things get addictive.
When you get here, we’ll set up on the front porch, coat our boards with an industrial-strength adhesive, then begin arranging all our mosaic materials until your design starts to emerge.
The adhesive gives us plenty of working time, so there's no pressure to get everything perfect on the first try. At the same time, the material has incredible grab, so pieces do not slide around - you can pry them out and reposition fairly easily.
At the end of class, you'll take your surfboard home, so make sure it fits inside your vehicle. It does not need to lie perfectly flat, but it does need to travel face up. Because the adhesive will still be curing, roof racks aren't recommended.
Your board will fully cure over the next day or two and can then be displayed either vertically or horizontally using a standard French cleat (under $10 on Amazon).
Workshop Details:
This is a highly personalized studio experience, not a class where everyone makes the same thing. You’ll get plenty of guidance, encouragement and a rescue (if needed).
Class lasts 3 hours, has a maximum of 3 guests, and is beginner-friendly. Agges 21+ please.
Dress for the weather and expect to get a little dirty.
Pricing:
The class is $250 per person.
A $100 deposit reserves your place and is paid by credit card when you click "Book Workshop."
Deposits are non-refundable but may be transferred to another workshop date with at least one week's notice.
The remaining $150 balance is due two days before class and may be paid via Venmo.
Once you book, I’ll email additional details about the workshop, including our address in North Park, San Diego.