The 8th Annual 2009 Minnesota Tile Festival, held recently at the historic American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, was deemed a success with more than 800 visitors from 23 states to view and purchase items from 30 handmade tile and mosaic artists.

Enlarge this picture

The show highlighted new trends in design, colors, and one-of-a-kind tile work of Arts and Crafts Tile work, contemporary handmade tile, mosaic clocks and glass mosaic mirrors. Artists from several states were represented, including: Washington, Virginia, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, Vermont, and New Hampshire.

Enlarge this picture Mosaic-on-a-Stick nipping tile.

As an added bonus, The Potters Council for a National Tile Conference, in collaboration with the Minnesota Tile Festival, bussed in 100 patrons who said they were impressed by the diversity and quality of the tile work show, said the HTA.

Enlarge this picture Sharra Frank's mosaic mirrors.

Christine Nelson, AKBD, National Kitchen and Bath award-winning kitchen designer and the festival’s guest speaker, addresses attendees on the importance of using color when working with tiles, the "green" options of tile, and how to utilize local handmade tile in homes.

Plans are already underway for the 9th Minnesota Tile Festival, which will be held September 18, 2010, at the American Swedish Institute. For more information, visit www.handmadetileassociation.org.