John Crepinseck says that the physical labor is the hardest part of being a terrazzo worker.
Crepinseck is a training coordinator for a terrazzo school. Despite the physical work, Crepinseck insists that he enjoys his job. "It's the feeling of pride and accomplishment in the finished product," he says.
Anton Vogt owns his own terrazzo business. "It's rewarding to create a unique finish," he says. "I enjoy the freedom of expression, the artistic and creative aspects of this work."
Crepinseck would encourage others to get into this occupation. He says there are good financial rewards. Plus, you can become a qualified tradesperson. Vogt believes the attraction to this work is its creative freedom and the artistic enjoyment of applying new techniques.
Michele Oka Doner is a terrazzo artist in New York. She works all over the world. "I highly recommend my fields to young people who enjoy experimenting, working hard and the pure joy of fashioning something new from all the materials stored in the outer crust of our hearty planet," she says.
Vogt finds the excitement in his work is meeting clients and making contacts. He enjoys networking with people.
"It's the variety of projects and interesting people that you meet in this work that is exciting," agrees Crepinseck. "I suppose the most frightening or weird things that have happened during my career was working on a high scaffold in windy weather and working in tunnels underground and underwater."
Carolyn Braaksma is a public artist in Denver, Colorado. She designs in terrazzo and concrete. She says the passion she finds in her work is "in seeing something drawn out small on paper and then translated large into actual materials."
"Ours is work that brings artistic expression and originality to modern architecture," Vogt states.
"I have been allowed to walk in a long line of people who saw beauty and something sacred about the earth below their feet," says Doner. "The ancestors of my terrazzo floors are like San Marco Cathedral in Venice and the mosaic floors of Pompeii. There is a great tradition for young people interested in terrazzo floor to draw upon."
Vogt says future trends "include a wide range of texturing and color systems. Job prospects are rising as refinishing is gaining popularity."
Terrazzo workers can be artists. As with any art, it can be tough to put a price on the work. "Remuneration is always an issue. Overall, it is difficult for an artist to be paid for the time spent," says Norie Sato. She is a terrazzo artist in Seattle. "It is not usually an hourly job. It really depends on the artist and the project."
Doner agrees that money is a difficult issue. "Ultimately, there is no amount of money that can buy the kind of commitment it takes for an artist or a terrazzo company," she says. "These projects transcend into what I call the value-added category. At some point, you have to do it for the pure love of doing it."
With the mixture of artists and tradespeople, friction can develop. But Doner insists that higher education doesn't make her superior. "When I work with tradespeople, I do not perceive my university education as a so-called arm up," she says.
"I come dressed for work and eager to learn. I think there is a small revival of working with one's hands. Even baking good bread is returning to a basic component of daily life all across the U.S.," Doner says.
"As an artist and designer," Sato continues, "I generally view the terrazzo craftspeople as collaborators. They are often more knowledgeable than I am in certain areas, so I learn from them. The common goal is to create a beautiful floor. Usually the problems come if the craftsmanship is not good enough. Then there is a discussion."