F E A T U R E S T O R Y very artist was first an ama- teur,” said American phi- losopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, who led the transcen- dentalist movement of the mid- 19th century. While Emerson’s craft was words, deep in the heart of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, an artist- owned and operated resort called Hacienda Mosaico celebrates cre- ativity through its hands. Designed to offer accessible art and inspira- tional workshops to students in a non-competitive setting, the resort boasts an exotic and tropical back- drop to fuel ideas in a fun, group atmosphere. Virginia-based artist, author and educator Bonnie Fitzgerald has been an in-house instructor at Hacienda Mosaico for six years, where she annually leads five-day workshops. As the founder and owner of Maverick Mosaics, she has gained notoriety in North America as an expert in mosaic artwork. Each year, Fitzgerald’s workshop at very artist was first an ama teur,” said American phi losopher and poet Ralph Waldo ”E 36 TileLetter | October 2018