REVIEWS & TESTIMONIALS

Craft Courses

A wonderful course – the perfect combination of learning, doing and eating…being nourished all round. I will definitely be back for more!
M.J. (Derbyshire)

Expect a smiling warm welcome at Zantium Studios, brimming with an artistic atmosphere wherever you looked.
B. (Derbyshire)

It’s a fabulous studio – so open and light. The setting too is superb.
R. (Cardiff)

An excellent tutor, patient and skilled to the highest level, beautiful surroundings and those lovely lunches and cakes all added to the experience.
H.G. (London)

Many thanks for what may well be a life-changing experience.
J.R. (North Yorkshire)

I loved the course and enjoyed every moment of my stay (especially the food!) It was lovely to be welcomed into your home and to meet so many nice people restores one’s faith in human nature.
L.T. (Derby)

To be totally absorbed in something so pleasurable is such a wonderful experience.
G.H. (Abergavenny)

It was such a lovely time with you…I felt as if I was on another planet, far away from the hassle of every day life.
S.P. (Leicestershire)

I found Lilian’s teaching style and passion for stained glass inspirational. Really enjoyed my time, and your hospitality was lovely.
A.S. (Chesterfield)

Mosaic & Painted Mural Commissions

We are simply bowled over by the mosaic plaque you have made for us. It is absolutely stunning. The more we look at it the more amazing it appears!
N. Rushbrooke, North Wales

Excellent job Alison. The mosaic looks absolutely wonderful. Thank you very much for getting it to us and for packing it so well. Here it is in situ on a glorious Autumn day. You can see it very clearly from ground level. It glints in the sun and the colours match the house and surrounding foliage beautifully.
A. Merton, Quebec, Canada

I have used Zantium on a number of occasions over the last ten years to create mosaics to be included in our designs. I believe that the quality of Peter and Alison’s work is extremely good. They are capable of producing beautiful and intricate pieces that are robust and durable.
J Cashman, Landscape Design Team, Groundwork West Midlands

Thankyou so much for the most wonderful Klimt inspired panel. My sister loved it and immediately put it up in her bedroom. It is the perfect setting for such a beautiful, intimate piece.
C. Grimsell, Essex

This has made my day! So beautiful, especially the fallow deer. I’ll include the images in the school newsletter. I am pleased to say that the mosaic is now proudly gracing the wall and is receiving a flurry of compliments on a daily basis.
A. Vaughan, Ibstock Place School, London

Schools

A huge thankyou from all at Woodhouse Primary School for your incredible hard work, wonderful manner with the children and your expertise and guidance.
S. Hardwick, Art Subject Coordinator, Woodhouse Primary School, West Yorks

We have worked with Zantium on two occasions in the past couple of years. On both projects we required high quality, high impact artwork that would stand the test of time. We were not disappointed! On both projects Peter worked with just under two hundred children, the project was well planned and executed and each child played a significant part. The children found the work fun, creative and still stop and talk about the finished pieces as they walk past. The end products are of an exceptionally high standard, they always create a talking point and we would not hesitate to use Zantium again.
C. Keating, Headteacher, Laughton Junior & Infant School, Sheffield

Before coming into school, Zantium worked very hard to put all of our ideas (some from children’s sketches) into the design and were constantly in touch, keeping us well informed and ensuring that the design met our needs. They then worked tirelessly over two days with every class in school (from Nursery children to Year 6). After school each day, parents were invited to add to the mosaic, as were all members of staff – it was such a lovely way to get everyone interacting with each other and a great chance for the children to show off which part they had worked on.

Both Alison and Peter were always friendly, patient and nothing was ever too much trouble. The mosaics were taken away to be completed and grouted and then unveiled to the children and parents.

Both mosaics are amazing! They are vibrant, they tell a story about our school and are something that we are all very proud to have had a part in creating.
We would definitely invite Zantium back to our school in the future – it is exciting to imagine what we could create together next time!
C. Foley. Swarcliffe Primary School, Leeds

…thanks for the wonderful mosaic you created for our school’s Centenary celebrations. The children thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the making of the mosaic and staff spoke with enthusiasm about the reaction of the children to the project. We would certainly recommend Zantium to other schools.
M. Harrison – Art Co-ordinator, Kirby Muxloe Primary School, Leicester

Thankyou so much for all your hard work. The boards look amazing and we can’t wait to see them up on the wall. I really enjoyed the painting.
L. Hiron, Derbyshire County Council.

Children’s comments

I would like to make mosaics all the time!

Community Groups

Thank you so much for the photos. The mosaic looks beautiful and shows a real sense of the group.
A. Terris, People Express, Derbyshire

The young people found this experience valuable and rewarding
R. Peat District Youth Worker

Zantium work very creatively with diverse community groups and have a good understanding of supporting people’s learning and individual skills to create the final pieces of work. They involve their participants in the entire process from planning, design and making/completing the work ready for installation. Both artists are highly qualified and their relaxed and friendly approach helps groups to engage fully. Zantium have good organisational skills and can work independently to a set brief. They have good budget management skills and have completed all of the work that we have commissioned them to do on time, meeting specified deadlines. Zantium are a pleasure to work with and I wish them well with future projects.
K. Duncan – Creative Programme Manager at City Arts, Nottingham

“Zantium are able to adapt their style to a wide variety of situations. They work sensitively with, and interpret well the ideas of the community groups. Zantium produce beautiful and intricate pieces that are robust and durable. I particularly like that Peter and Alison are so skilled in responding to a brief, both creatively and on a practical level. They are good at advising about what can be achieved within a budget and timescale and have been very flexible in accommodating my awkward requests!
J. Cashman, Groundwork West Midlands

Zantium made the project a delight to work on. They were fabulous at working with all age groups and brought the ideas of the children and older people to life in the mural. The finished product looks stunning thanks to the creativity, hard work and craftsmanship of Peter. Thank you Zantium for making it such a joy for everyone.
L. Hiron, Derbyshire County Council.

The mosaics have been of very high quality – both from a creative angle and also the materials used. The finished pieces are bright, colourful and have helped bring communities together during the whole creative process. We have been lucky to work with such professional and passionate people that obviously love their art and helping people achieve something wonderful.
C. Brown, Governor at St Edmunds Primary School, Notts

Godfrey Hole Holiday Cottage

Super stay in a really well thought out cottage. Jo made some lovely stained glass on the course and I had a great time climbing.Thankyou!
M & J (Norfolk)

Enjoyed a glorious week mosaicing with superb lunches thrown in! The cottage is a delight in all its features.
A & A (Glasgow)

Peter & Alison are as good hosts as their cottage is delightful
G. Family (Dorset)

The cottage was lovely and the family and I had a lovely break with you. Sue had a fantastic time on her course and she has talked about it none stop since. I am sure we will be back again soon.
N. Family / Nottingham