The community is invited to the next Fountain Hills Artists’ Gallery weekly demonstration on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The featured artist for this event is mosaic artist Marie Picchoitti.

“Art has always been a part of my personal journey in some shape or form,” Picchoitti said in a press release. “My love for mosaic art started 10 years ago with a visit to New Mexico. Every single little shop had colorful crosses made of mosaic glass and ceramic tile. I decided to make one myself. But three times the size. It took months to complete and I was completely hooked.”

Glass mosaic is a medium that takes much time and effort to create a single piece, according to Picchoitti in her press release.

“It is forgiving, yet stubborn. Fragile yet permanent,” Picchoitti said, adding that her subject matter is inspired by the southwest.

“I’m also inspired by the shapes, textures and colors of the actual sheets of glass that I use,” Picchoitti said in the press release. “There’s something mystical about taking broken glass and assembling it to reflect beauty and light, and I’m grateful to be on this journey of discovery.”

Picchoitti says using a lot of water and staying loose is her style for creating many soft layers.

“When I start a painting, I use light washes and then I patiently build up the layers,” Picchoitti said. “Paying attention to how the paper dries is very key to adding details, then revising some layers to work with the details, until I feel the work reflects my vision.”

The gallery is located at 16858 E. Avenue of the Fountains and is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information about exhibitions, events, workshops and upcoming demos, visit fountainhillsartistsgallery.com.