Tiles Workshop LLC announces the expansion of its Turkish mosaic lamp-making workshops to St. Louis and Kansas City, bringing a centuries-old Ottoman craft tradition to Missouri as both cities prepare for significant cultural milestones in 2026.
The Dallas-based cultural arts company will launch its Mosaic Lamp Workshop programs in both Missouri cities, offering hands-on experiences where participants create illuminated artworks using traditional Turkish techniques. The expansion coincides with Kansas City preparing to host six FIFA World Cup matches and St. Louis implementing major arts investment strategies following a historic $10.6 million allocation to the Regional Arts Commission.
The workshops connect participants to Turkish Çini-making, a decorative art form inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. Turkish mosaic lamp-making shares the same Ottoman decorative heritage, featuring floral motifs, arabesques, geometric patterns, and vivid colors that have defined this artistic tradition since 12th-century Anatolia.
"This expansion represents more than just new locations for our workshops," said Matt Yigit, founder of Tiles Workshop. "We're bringing a tangible connection to UNESCO-recognized heritage crafts to Missouri at a time when both cities are elevating their cultural profiles. Participants physically engage with this ancient art form by cutting glass pieces and assembling their own mosaic lamps using traditional Ottoman techniques."
Kansas City, designated as the first UNESCO Creative City of Music in the United States in 2017, expects 650,000 unique visitors during the 2026 World Cup matches, with an estimated $653 million economic impact. The Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop adds visual arts programming to complement the city's musical identity and international cultural ambitions.
In St. Louis, the workshops align with the Regional Arts Commission's creative placemaking initiatives. RAC President and CEO Vanessa Cooksey has stated her vision for making St. Louis a national model for how arts and culture elevate placemaking and civic pride. The city's recent $10.6 million arts investment, the third-highest municipal arts allocation in the nation, demonstrates its commitment to participatory arts experiences.
The workshops serve multiple audiences, from tourists seeking authentic cultural experiences to corporate groups pursuing meaningful team-building activities. The corporate team-building market, valued at approximately $1.9 billion nationally, increasingly favors culturally enriching experiences over generic activities. A University of Exeter study led by Dr. Craig Knight found that workers in art-enriched environments demonstrate up to 32 percent higher productivity.
The company's founder, Matt Yigit, was named to the Eventex Awards Power List 2025, recognizing the 50 Most Influential People in Events in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting his impact on the experiential events industry. Media coverage has included features in VoyageDallas and appearances on The Jeff Crilley Show, where the cultural and team-building aspects of the workshops were discussed.
Workshops are now available for booking in both cities for 2026. The company also offers mosaic lamp events in Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Columbus, and other cities, along with DIY kits for at-home creation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQt8riDBNgA
Tiles Workshop specializes in Turkish mosaic lamp-making experiences through hands-on workshops and DIY kits, inviting participants to design and craft illuminated artworks using traditional techniques while enjoying Turkish tea, coffee, and baklava.
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For more information about Tiles Workshop LLC, contact the company here:
Tiles Workshop
Matt Yigit
972-256-8484
info@tilesworkshop.com
809 Woodbridge Parkway Suite 500-403 Wylie, TX 75098
