Education and Support
Exclusive Distributors of Stucco Italiano and Topcret Microcement
Our online store is under construction! More products are being added all the time. Please see our “Products” links above. For more information on ordering, products, and training opportunities, give us a call or email!
If you are looking for information on Italiwalls Training Courses materials, please email info “at” gulfcoastplasterartisans.com for more!
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans is the exclusive US distributor of Stucco Italiano plasters and decorative finishes. We are the exclusive distributor of Topcret microcement in the Gulf South (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and the Florida Panhandle) and points beyond.
Artisan-Level Plasters, Microcement & Decorative Arts Materials
Application ~ Distribution ~ Training
Phone: 504.435.8081 or email: info “at” gulfcoastplasterartisans.com (please insert “@” in place of “at”).
Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans provides top technical support for the Stucco Italiano and Topcret products we sell! We also offer world-class training and educational opportunities throughout the year with hands-on workshops that take place in our New Orleans workshop.
Workshop dates for the first part of 2025 are here! Full details and how to register all below! Great discounts when you enroll in multiple workshops! Also, stay tuned for workshop dates in the second part of the year!
Hello! We are pleased to announce the next round of our Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans Hands-On Workshops for the first half of 2025! We are offering three terrific learning opportunities to train with our expert artisan team on important and popular plasters and microcement! These are multi-day training courses taking place at our shop in New Orleans, Louisiana. You will learn the skills needed to professionally apply these materials for your projects. Once completed, you will receive a certification, as well!
The first workshop is our “Hands-On Venetian Plaster” course. It’s a great place to start whether you are new to plaster or are looking to build solid fundamentals using a variety of in-demand materials at a professional level. The second is our “Introduction to Microcement.” This product, widely popular in Europe and points beyond, is quickly gaining traction in the US and is being spec’d more and more on projects here. Though not plaster, it is artisan applied (troweled, not poured) and is ideal for high-traffic and high contact areas including floors, walls, wet applications, indoor/outdoor areas, kitchens, fireplaces, counters, hospitality and commercial spaces, and much more. Lastly, this time around, is our “Advanced Functional Plaster Application” workshop. In it, you will learn advanced techniques for plasters that are also ideal for use in high contact/traffic areas, exteriors, wet applications (such as showers), and much more!
We are pleased to partner with our suppliers and friends at Stucco Italiano and Topcret to bring you these important in-person trainings!
More details including pricing, lodging options, and further information will be out next week. Please note these workshops are open to professional applicators and those from related fields only. Space is extremely limited for these workshops. We will also be offering more in the second half of 2025. So, save the dates and we look forward to helping you grow your plaster and microcement game and hosting you here in the Big Easy soon!
Here are our upcoming plaster workshops! Please note – information and registration for our Introduction to Microcement Workshop (6/4/25 to 6/6/25) are coming soon! If you wish to register for either or both of the plaster workshops below, please email us at info “at” gulfcoastplasterartisans.com (please replace “at” with “@”) to reserve your spot today. Space is extremely limited! We will be offering these workshops again, including the Hands-On Venetian Plaster class in the Fall of 2025.
Inquire about discounts for multiple workshops as well as team discounts for multiple employees! Now available – PayPal and PayPal Pay in 4 payment plans for workshops! Reach out to us and we’ll get you setup!
Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop – May 12-15, 2025
| -Focus: Our Hands-On Venetian Plaster Workshop is a deep dive into understanding and perfecting the application of Venetian Lime Plasters, pigments for plasters, and the correct preparation of trowels for a successful plaster application. This workshop is geared towards those with some direct plaster experience as well as beginners. In addition to gaining a thorough understanding of the Cycle of Lime, you will gain a strong knowledge of the different Venetian plasters and what they can achieve. All the grain-sizes of Marmorino are addressed. We will produce samples of the extra-fine Grassello producing a mirror finish. Marmorino Fine, which produces a beautiful gloss finish. The popular Marmorino Medium that creates a satin finish. Marmorino Coarse has a great ability to reflect and refract light. Marmorino Metallic delivers a sleek modern look. Participants will thoroughly practice every step of the process, from analyzing substrate to selecting the appropriate primer, mastering the trowel application techniques, and finally, applying the most suitable protective treatment for every type of project. To ensure comprehensive learning experience, practice will be on vertical boards and on full-sized wall areas with inside and outside corner applications. Each participant will complete several 2’x2’ sample boards that are a ¼ inch thick. These boards can either be brought home with you, shipped, or left behind based on your preference. You will also learn how to evaluate a jobsite for the proper substrate needs leading to a successful plaster application. After successful completion, students will be certified in these products by Stucco Italiano and Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans. | ||||||
| -Dates: Monday, May 12 – Thursday, May 15 | ||||||
| -Times: 8 am – 4 pm each day with a lunch break on site | ||||||
| -Location: New Orleans, LA | ||||||
| -Cost: $895 | ||||||
| Class size limited to 8 participants. Reserve your spot today! | ||||||
| WHAT TO EXPECT: | ||||||
| –Expert Instruction: Leveraging our decades of application experience and unparalleled product knowledge, we will guide you through the application cycle and best practices. | ||||||
| –Hands on Learning: Each participant will get to practice preparing the plaster, application process, and how to make decisions around substrate and protective sealers. You will produce numerous samples that will be suitable for showing to prospective clients. | ||||||
| –Tools & Materials: Each participant will get to take home a set of tools necessary for application of all the plasters taught in the workshop. Participants will also be eligible to receive special discounts on most products used in the workshop for a limited time through Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans (this excludes services, sample sizes, and a few other small items.) | ||||||
| -Lunches, Group Dinner & Lodging: We love to eat in New Orleans! Lunch will be provided on site daily (dietary accommodations will be made to those who need). Also included is a group dinner at a terrific New Orleans restaurant. We can also provide you with lodging options at our corporate rate for your stay – let us know! | ||||||
Advanced Functional Plaster Workshop – June 23-26, 2025
| -Focus: Our Advanced Functional Plaster Workshop is a deep dive into understanding and perfecting the application of functional plasters for floors, countertops, and wet areas, including showers, ceilings, and exterior walls. The training is ideal for those needing to deliver successful, durable applications to high-traffic and high-contact areas in both commercial and residential settings. This workshop is for experienced plasterers who have successfully completed our Hands-On Plaster Workshop (or, can demonstrate exceptional, long-standing plaster experience, please contact us for more on prerequisites if you feel you are qualified.) Attendees will learn about Tadelakt, Hydrocement, Venetian Facade, Travertino, and Pastellone with and without aggregate. A core focus of this workshop will be the appropriate substrate application necessary for a successful plaster application and how to analyze a jobsite to see that the precise specifications are met prior to starting application. Participants will thoroughly practice every step of the process, from assessing substrate needs to selecting the appropriate primer, mastering trowel techniques, and finally, applying the most suitable protective treatment for each product and type of project. Attendees will have extensive opportunities to practice. To do so, practice will be on both vertical boards and on full size wall areas with inside and outside corner applications. Each participant will complete several – 2’x2’ sample boards that are a ¼ inch thick. These boards can either be brought home with you, shipped, or left behind based on your preference. After successful completion, students will be certified in these products by Stucco Italiano and Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans. | ||||||
| -Dates: Monday, June 23 – Thursday, June 26 | ||||||
| -Times: 8 am – 4 pm each day with a lunch break on site | ||||||
| -Location: New Orleans, LA | ||||||
| -Cost: $995 ($50 off – $945 – for returning students) | ||||||
| Class size limited to 8 participants. Reserve your spot today! | ||||||
| WHAT TO EXPECT: | ||||||
| –Expert Instruction: Leveraging our decades of application experience and unparalleled product knowledge, we will guide you through the application cycle and best practices. | ||||||
| –Hands on Learning: Each participant will practice preparing and applying plaster, as well as making decisions about substrate and protective sealers. You will produce numerous samples that will be suitable for showing to prospective clients. | ||||||
| –Tools & Materials: Each participant will get to take home a set of tools necessary for application of all the plasters taught in the workshop. Participants will also be eligible to receive special discounts on most products used in the workshop for a limited time through Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans (this excludes services, sample sizes, and a few other small items.) | ||||||
| -Lunches, Group Dinner & Lodging: We love to eat in New Orleans! Lunch will be provided on site daily (dietary accommodations will be made to those who need). Also included is a group dinner at a terrific New Orleans restaurant. We can also provide you with lodging options at our corporate rate for your stay – let us know! | ||||||
Introduction to Microcement – Now Scheduled for Fall 2025 – Dates Coming Soon!
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– Focus: Our Gulf Coast Plaster Artisan’s Introduction to Microcement Workshop is a training course offered in partnership with Topcret, the global leader in Microcement production. It is a comprehensive workshop that prepares you to apply both Microcement and Baxab on projects. These artisanal materials are hand-troweled (not poured) and are wildly popular in Europe and other spots around the planet. It is becoming increasingly popular here in the US and is being spec’d more on jobs every day. This workshop will allow you to meet this demand and stay ahead of the curve! Microcement is an ideal product for application on a wide range of surfaces, including floors, walls, and even furniture in both residential and commercial settings. Baxab is the stronger, more resistant counterpart to Microcement, which is recommended for floors and high traffic areas. They are both stain and moisture resistant and can be used in both dry and wet applications, such as showers, kitchens, indoor/outdoor areas, counter tops, and much more.. This workshop is geared towards seasoned plasterers, flooring professionals, and other similar professional applicators, as well as beginners. Participants will be trained in and practice each of the following necessary steps for successful application:
Participants will thoroughly practice every step of the process, from analyzing the substrate to mastering trowel techniques, and finally, applying the most suitable protective treatment for every type of project. Practice will be on horizontal boards and on full size wall areas with inside and outside corner applications, to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. Each participant will complete several 2’x4’ sample boards on ½ inch MDF boards. These boards can either be brought home with you, shipped, or left behind based on your preference. They are ideal for sharing with prospective clients. After successful completion of the course, students will receive a Gulf Coast Plaster Artisans and Topcret applicator certification. |
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| -Dates: June 4-6, 2025 | ||||||
| -Times: 8 am – 4 pm each day with a lunch break on-site | ||||||
| -Location: New Orleans, LA | ||||||
| -Cost: $845 (with special discounts for returning students and multiple workshops!) | ||||||
| Class size limited to 8 participants. Reserve your spot today! | ||||||
| WHAT TO EXPECT: | ||||||
| –Expert Instruction: Leveraging our decades of application experience and unparalleled product knowledge, we will guide you through the application cycle and best practices. | ||||||
| –Hands on Learning: Each participant will experience full days of practice preparing the products, application process, and how to make decisions around substrate and protective sealers. | ||||||
| –Tools & Materials: Each participant will take home product guides and trowels necessary for all applications. As a participant in the course, you will also be eligible to receive special discounts on most products used in the workshop for a limited time! | ||||||
| -Lunches, Group Dinner & Lodging: We love to eat in New Orleans! Lunch will be provided on site daily (dietary accommodations will be made to those who need). Also included is a fun and casual group dinner at a terrific New Orleans restaurant. We can also provide you with lodging options at our corporate rate for your stay – let us know! | ||||||
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TO REGISTER: Please email info@gulfcoastplasterartisans.com and let us know which workshop(s) you would like to sign-up for and we will send you the appropriate links to register and pay online. |
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New Orleans is a very accessible city. The workshop is located at 1300 South Broad, New Orleans 70125 We are happy to help make accommodation recommendations depending on the experience you’d like to have. Please let us know if you’d like assistance. |
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